and among them Methodists enough to form a society and build a church. This unfortunately was burned shortly after its erection, but another soon took its place. The rising town, with Hull on the opposite bank, became the nucleus of the Bytown circuit. This made a draft upon the Richmond circuit, which, however, was met by the youthful zeal of Richard Jones, who preached on the open square to Protestants and Catholics alike, meeting the priests in open disputation. The Rideau, Perth and Mississippi circuits all advanced. The Bonchère mission struggled hard to make a beginning. THE RYANITE Delusion. Through several years the ill-advised efforts of Henry Ryan, seconded by James Jackson and some others, had disturbed the harmony and endangered the spiritual status of the Canadian societies. When the decision of the General Conference authorizing the independence of the Methodist Church in Canada was made known to Mr. Ryan he appeared surprised that such a consummation had been attained. It was then hoped that he would see his errors and cease from mischievous designs. In this his best friends and wisest counsellors were disappointed. Though what he had professed to desire had been peacefully gained, he set himself the more resolutely to further his personal aims. During this year his efforts reached a crisis. After extensive visits throughout the districts, delivering inflammatory addresses, scattering much scurrilous printed matter defaming the Methodist Church and begetting hostility to her ministers and polity, he called conventions to ratify his declarations and carry his plans to their designed issue-disruption. He claimed that he was still a member of the Methodist Church, that he had been persecuted but desired a fair hearing by members of the Church and would accept their decision. For this purpose he arranged for a convention in the Western and another in the Eastern District. The first, held in Copetown, was attended by a considerable number of influential members. The Rev. John Ryerson, Presiding Elder of the district, and Egerton Ryerson, in charge of the circuit within which the convention was held, thought it wise to attend. Eight days they were there to hear and answer the statements made. Hugh Wilson, Esq., of Saltfleet, presided, and Ebenezer Griffin, of Watertown, was secretary. The convention decided unanimously against Mr. Ryan, though the members were of his own choosing. After this terrible blow from his best friends he was strongly advised to cease from stirring up strife and return to his allegiance. But, self-willed and determined, he proceeded to Hallowell for the next convention. This, at the request of Elder Case, Egerton Ryerson attended and gave the following account: 'When I arrived I found the whole community in a state of great excitement. Mr. Ryan had gathered a convention of his friends, and most of them his countrymen, so vehemently hostile to the Conference that during the first four or five days, when I rose to defend the Conference, Elder Case, Mr. Madden and others against the accusations of Mr. Ryan and his right-hand man, James Jackson, a majority of the members turned their backs to me. But I proceeded calmly with the cause I had in hand, and about the fifth day I observed a manifest change in the feelings of the members, several of them coming to me and asking pardon for the manner in which they had treated me. This convention lasted nine days, and at the close decided in the strongest language against Mr. Ryan's statements and proceedings, and in favor of the Conference and its accused members. Thus by two juries of laymen of his own selection were Mr. Ryan's statements and conduct condemned.' It was supposed that the agitation would then cease. But Mr. Ryan turned upon the members of his own conventions, charged them with being bought, their eyes blinded with money, and called upon all true Methodists to join with him in reclaiming a fallen Church. In this crusade he had the aid of James Jackson and Isaac B. Smith, his son-in-law. Some members withdrew and favored Mr. Ryan, so he called another convention to organize a "reformed and pure Church." A system of church polity providing for lay delegation, elective presidency, etc., was adopted, and the Church was to be called "The Canadian Wesleyan Methodist Church." Though possibly a few hundred were drawn away by Mr. Ryan, the year showed an increase of 553. The "Ryanites," as they were generally called, struggled hard for a footing, not hesitating to make inroads upon Methodist societies wherever possible, and kept up some signs of life until Mr. Ryan's death in 1833, at the early age of 57, after which they made little progress. 1841, with a membership of 1,915, they united with the Methodist New Connexion Church. It is much to be regretted that so good and able a man, a leader of men, in his zeal to attain a desirable end, should have allowed himself to resort to means which clouded his noon-day and cut short a life of eminent usefulness. Stanstead and Barnston-James Booth, Wm. G. Shenstone. P. Hetherington Shefford-Richard Pope Odelltown and Burtonville-Matthew Lang Melbourne-One wanted Three Rivers-One wanted Quebec-William Squire 200 442 102 214 90 29 115 1486 The vacancies caused by the return of Messrs. Burt and Stinson to England were filled by Messrs. Hetherington and Shenstone. We find few particulars of the year's work. Of Mr. Squire, in Quebec, it was said: 'His ministry was characterized by great efficiency; his pastoral oversight of the members secured the esteem of all.' There was a revival during almost the entire period of his incumbency, the members increasing from 114 to 202. The total membership for the district differed little from that of the preceding year. CHAPTER XVII. 1829. EDUCATION—PUBLISHING-TEMPERANCE. Conference-Ancaster -- Preachers-Book Concern-Seminary - Temperance Sun Stations The Christian Guardian THE Conference of 1829 assembled in Bowman's chapel, Ancaster, on the 26th of August. About thirty of the thirty-seven preachers were present. The Rev. William Case, General Superintendent, pro tem., presided, and the Rev. James Richardson was elected Secretary. Received on trial-John Armstrong, Henry Shaler, Simon Huntingdon, William Patrick and John Carrollall of whom had been employed under Presiding Elders. Into full connection-John C. Davidson, George Poole, Richard Jones, John S. Atwood, James Norris, Cyrus R. Allison, Matthew Whiting, Peter Jones. Located George Sovereign and George Farr. Withdrawn-Isaac B. Smith, to go to the United States. Expelled-James Jackson, for slander and sedition. Died-William Slater. Anson Green was requested to take charge of superannuation and missionary moneys. From the Book Con |