to fall by the dread disease was the Rev. Richard Pope, of Quebec, on the 2nd of September, at the early age of forty-three years. Mr. Langlois writes: The visitation had a solemnizing effect. At the Quarterly Meeting, on the invitation of Rev. Mr. Lang, forty came forward for prayer. During the week not less than three hundred found peace in believing.'

In Montreal Mr. Squire had been "sowing in tears," but was beginning to "reap in joy." On the circuits generally progress was reported.

CHAPTER XX.

1832.

UNION WITH BRITISH CONFERENCE PROPOSED.

English Committee-Proposals-Upper Canada-Governor Alder

-Montreal-John Ryerson-Astounding news-Board-Suggestions-Conference-Communications-Jones and brideReceptions Documents Resolutions General Conference-Changes proposed-Delegate to England-ThanksStations-Marching orders.

IN the Guardian, December 9th, 1831, a letter appeared from the Rev. Thomas Turner, of St. Armand, regarding the correspondence of the Rev. Dr. Townley and the proposal of the Missionary Secretaries to send missionaries into Upper Canada. The Rev. James Knowlan, Chairman of the District, and others took a share in a discussion carried on in the papers, which prepared the public, and Methodists in particular, for possible or probable issues.

The agreement made in 1820 for the division of territory had been generally observed-Kingston being regarded as a necessary exception. But on the Canada Conference becoming independent the English Secretaries deemed the contract of 1820 practically dissolved, and were considering the propriety of again sending their missionaries into the Upper Province. In this they were encouraged by the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John Colborne, and by members of the Legislative Council, who hoped in this way to counteract the power of the

Methodist Church in Canada and to secure for the Church of England the co-operation of English Wesleyans. "In case of compliance on the part of the London Committee there would be granted, out of the casual and territorial revenue of the Crown, the sum of one thousand pounds sterling towards the support of such Canadian missions."

The visit of Revs. George Ryerson and Peter Jones had called the attention of the Missionary Committee to the condition and needs of Canadian missions. Letters from the Governor with offers of assistance naturally deepened the interest of the Committee and their conviction of the necessity for missionaries to be sent. That the Committee did not at this juncture more fully and explicitly communicate these considerations to the authorities of the Methodist Church in Canada seems inexplicable in view of the protracted negotiations and final arrangement of 1820.

Very unexpected, therefore, and startling was the announcement, in the early spring of 1832, that the Rev. Robert Alder had arrived in Montreal with certain missionaries intended for Upper Canada; and further, that he had presided at the District Meeting of Lower Canada when two additional missionaries were assigned to Upper Canada.

Of these proceedings the Rev. John Ryerson wrote:

I was at that time President of the Canada Conference Missionary Society, and, of course, of the Missionary Board, whose meetings were held in York, which was my circuit. In the month of May, 1832, I received a communication from the Rev. Mr. Alder, informing me that the Wesleyan Missionary Committee in London had determined to resume work in Upper Canada, and that

he, with twelve missionaries, would in the course of a few days sail from England on this mission. This announcement and the appointments actually made were to us like thunderclaps. For eight or nine years we had been contending for the right to hold property on which to erect places of worship, the right to solemnize matrimony, equal rights in law with the Church of England, separating from the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, organizing an independent church, with the tumults and schisms of Ryanism. Now, when peace and quiet had apparently returned and expectations of prosperity were beginning to cheer us, to receive such announcements was disheartening beyond expression. It was easy to predict the result of rival Methodist congregations in every town and neighborhood. . . While walking along Bay Street pondering what would be the result, it came into my mind suddenly whether or not some arrangement might be entered into by which the two Conferences could be united and thus strengthen each other. At the earliest convenience I mentioned the matter to the Editor of the Christian Guardian. After some consideration he concurred. I conversed with several members of the Missionary Board and of the Church. We agreed to invite Mr. Alder to meet the Board. In a few days he arrived with two or three missionaries. The Board met and the whole matter was discussed. Mr. Alder requested time for consideration. After several conversations provisional arrangements were come to and articles of settlement agreed upon.

At the request of the Board Mr. Alder consented to remain and meet the Conference. On the 8th of August, 1832, the Conference assembled in Hallowell. Superintendent Case presided, and the Rev. James Richardson was elected Secretary.

Many members of the Church were attracted to this

ecclesiastical assembly. Not more than two or three preachers were absent. Communications from the Wesleyan Missionary Committee, London, were presented and read on the opening day. Documents from the Missionary Board, York, were also read and referred to a committee-James Richardson, John Ryerson, Wyatt Chamberlain, Anson Green, Franklin Metcalf, Egerton Ryerson, Philander Smith, William Ryerson, Thomas Madden and William Brown.

On the third day of Conference the committee appointed to consider the documents received from the Missionary Board reported. The following resolutions were adopted:

That this Conference, concurring with the Board of Missions on the inexpediency of establishing two distinct. Methodist connexions in Upper Canada, and deprecating the evils which might arise from collision; believing also that the cause of religion generally and the interests of Methodism in particular would, by the blessing of God, be greatly promoted by the united exertions of the two connexions, resolve:

I. That a union between the English and Canadian Conferences, duly securing the rights and privileges of the societies in this province, is an object highly important and desirable.

2. That in order to accomplish this object the Discipline and economy of the Wesleyan Methodists in England be introduced into the societies in this province so far as circumstances and prudence will render advisable.

3. That Episcopacy be superseded by an Annual Presidency, unless it will jeopardize our church property, or so soon as it can be legally secured.

4. That the usages of the English Conference be adopted in the admission of candidates into our itinerant ministry.