English local preacher, Mr. Rustan. An encouraging ingathering followed a day of fasting and prayer at Stanstead. At Three Rivers Mr. Pope was refused the town school-house through the influence of Bishop Mountain; but a house was bought and a stone chapel builtby assistance from Quebec. The district reported good success. In Canada at this time nineteen papers were published. The Methodist Magazine was liberally patronized. The Upper Canada Parliament gave $600 for the "use and encouragement of Sunday-schools," and directed that Indian schools should share in the public school grants. CHAPTER X. 1823-1824. SEPARATION OR INDEPENDENCE? Conference of 1823-Delegates-Stations-York-Yonge Street— Niagara-Wilkinson-Indians-London-Ryan-Old waggon -Shanty-General Conference-Petitions-Canada Conference-Local preachers-New church-Agitation-Bishops Peace-Healy-Rideau-Others-Missionaries-Shipwreck. THE Genesee Conference of 1823 began July 15th, in Westmoreland, N.Y., Bishop George presiding. Among the delegates elected to General Conference were Reed, the Chamberlains, Densmore, Lanning and Smith, but not Ryan nor Case, as they did not favor the new proposal that Presiding Elders be elected by the Annual Conferences instead of being appointed by the Bishopsa change which was soon abandoned. Elders Ryan and Case, however, did attend; the former to urge the independence of the church in Canada and the latter to further the immediate organization of a Canada Conference. Received on trial, from Canada-William Griffis, Solomon Waldron, Jacob Poole, Joseph Castle. William Ryerson, Robert Corson and David Wright, all having been employed during the year except William Ryerson. STATIONS, 1823-WESTERN DISTRICT. William Case, Presiding Elder. York and Yonge Street-John Ryerson, Wm. Slater.... Niagara-Ezra Adams, William Ryerson Mem bers. 240 170 424 453 Westminster-George Ferguson Thames-James Jackson, William Griffis EASTERN DISTRICT. Henry Ryan, Presiding Elder. Smith's Creek-Samuel Belton, Joseph Atwood Bay Quinte and Kingston-Wyatt Chamberlain. 475 274 2541 394 531 186 546 506 172 6 The Yonge Street circuit,' says John Ryerson, was harder to work than any I had yet travelled; but my colleague, William Slater, was a helpmeet indeed. Our circuit extended from York to Lake Simcoe, and eastward to Major Willmott's, beyond Bowmanville. The Major fitted up a large room in his tannery for our services. My home was with Mr. W. P. Patrick, a most generous and devoted man, whose singing-" Rock of Ages," "Lo, He comes," "Come, let us anew," etc.thrilled my whole being.' Mr. Demorest says: On my arrival at York I met Bro. Rowley Heyland, sent to my help. We extended. our route into the townships of Nottawasaga, Eramosa and Caledon, increasing the appointments to thirtythree hundred miles through new settlements; small congregations, but gathering for miles, so anxious are they for the means of grace. In Caledon we have two Scotch and one German congregation. The Scotch regularly instruct their children in the Sabbath-school,' A young man, Joseph Messmore, was sent to assist on the Ancaster circuit. Among the new members on the Niagara circuit was Henry Wilkinson-young, dark and small of stature, destined to leave his mark on Canadian Methodism. Alvin Torry, of Grand River, says: 'Our journey to Conference and back could not be less than six or eight hundred miles, entirely on horseback. No one who has not performed such a task can form a correct opinion of the fatigue. It was in the heat of summer, dusty roads, the sky like brass, and the parched earth reflecting the intense heat-unendurable by any horse with the load to be carried.' Seth Crawford supplied during Mr. Torry's absence. An Indian woman, awakened, went as a messenger of mercy to a much afflicted mother, who was soon led to trust in Christ. Others were soon crying for mercy, thrilling testimonies were given, and changed lives testified to the reality of their experience. Mr. Torry, returning, explained the rules and received twenty on trial, with others shortly after, making twenty-nine and twenty scholars in the Sunday-school. This was about fifty miles up the river. Another society was formed among the Delawares, near the mouth of the river. The Presiding Elder says: We arrived at the Indian settlement about nine in the morning-the.time of their devotions. The shell was blown, and soon the people were seen in all directions making for the house of prayer. They took their seats with great solemnity, and when I asked them to sing they began in the Mohawk: "Enlighten our dark souls till they After sermon several spoke, and one concluded with prayer. They are building a school-house. Certainly this mission has the divine blessing-thirty more children of the forest converted, and as many of the white population.' The Rev. Jas. B. Finley, missionary to the Wyandottes, with some of his converts, crossed from Detroit to visit their people near Amherstburg, and a class was formed there. At the Quarterly Meeting of the Long Point circuit many Indians spoke very impressively of their conversion. Great changes were seen in their lives, especially in abandoning fire-water and becoming sober, watchful Christians. The new London circuit, under Robert Corson, embraced Oxford, Zorra, Nissouri and Lobo, with the Websters, Warners, Willises and other memorable names. In March, 1824, Seth Crawford sent news of frequent conversions and of encouraging progress: While I am writing little Mary is making a collection in her father's house. She brings four dollars to me, saying, "This is to help build the school-house for the Indian children." We anticipate great delight in seeing them provided with a place of worship.' Live questions were stirring the Eastern District, the Presiding Elder emphasizing his plea for independence, and the local preachers seeking representation in the Annual Conference. The Smith's Creek preachers were extending their bounds northward as far as Omemee, with rich spiritual rewards. Hallowell and Belleville circuits shared in the general advance. 140 |