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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film^ A partir de Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. J2X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 •• it « % • * «• » • .•i CONSIDERATIONS .»' • ON THB PROPOSED EE-UNION or THE CANADIAN ANl) ENGLISH WESLEYAN CONFERENCES. 4 P I C TO N, C. W. PRlHTiH rOH THE AUTHORS. 1847. ( ft » < l< ADVERTISEMENT. ( f TO THE MEMBERS OP THE CANADA CONFERENCE. Respected Brethkk.v, .a, to the »ul,lir w. I A "'"'•""' "f "PPMi" •pinion, hu found iu cons.derat.on. «a.e objecUon. which have occurred to u. .ga.n.t tha propLd David Wright, Markham, CvRus R. Allison, Sidner, George F. Playter, Belleville, AsAHEL Hurl«urt, Picton, Minhttrs of the Canada Cwftrenct. w CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PROPOSED RE. UNION OF THE CANADIAN AND ENGLISH WESLEYAN CONFERENCES. The first Union of the Canadian and English Wesievan Con- ferences took place in the year 1833. ^ '''^esicyan i.on- Thc Canadian body entered into a treaty of union with tho other party, in order to prevent "the evils which S arise from collision."--(Mntt?e^ of 1832.) ^ The English body was induced by "patriotic as well as re/.^ie.«. considerations," to co-operate with the body in Upper Canada. (Rev. R. Alder^s Letter to Lord John Russell, Ap% iZ) A prominent religious motive was, to save the Ind an missions from being " utterly ruined." The principal poSl Sve TuV^u""^??'^ ^^"^ continued connection of the Province wilh theMo her Country. [Report of the Eng.Conf. ComZTmij Fnili^h rn?f ''°"^'''"''^ ""^'•' ^®^^' ^"^ ^^« then dissolved, by the Fn! h S''"?^*^'^^^ separatmg from the other party. While ho English Conference complained of the Provincial body, the Jatte? also complained of the proceedings of « the M.ssion^rvV crel tanes and other men.bers of the Lglish Conference."' ^ It ™ asserted, on "indubitable evidence," that they had " fromTho commencement of the negotiations of the Union, ulterior oKectS m contemplation." " They were continually and insidiouslv aiming at the gradual extinction of every sort of influence as Identified with the Canada Conference-the transfer of that in! fc" l^L^^^^^L^'l--'^ -d -to othe_r hands-^and the'atst ovei nliTh'J"^"^ "! "'^" •-°"™/"ee ^"d Uonference in England Wand l^^l^P'-^^t"?""^" and institutions in Canada." (Afessrs. yv. and t,. Ryerson's Pamphlet, 1840.) CnH^.?''''"^"''° ''^' ^^"^ '^'^^olution o» the Union was, tho English CorHcrcncc commencing independent operations in U. Canada boli'""'"^ cT'n''' r^'-<^Sations ./nd societies within the boundaries of tho Canada Conference 6 At a special Conference, the latter body protested against theso proceedings, and deprecated the " ruin to souls, the injury to Methodism and to religion," resulting from " setting up altar against altar, dividing lamilies, societies, and neighbourhoods, — and creating contentions, schisms, and divisions in the church of Christ." But the English Conference cared nothing for tho pro- test or deprecation, and pursued the worl; which had been re- solved on and commenced. In 1841, the Canada Conference proposea to "submit the mat- ter at issue" " to the decision of any tribunal which may be equally selected by committees of the English and Canada Con- ferences." But the English Conference passed by the proposi- tion unnoticed. In 1842, the proposition of referring the caso to a third party "wr.s renewed. The Bishops, or the (J. S. General Conference ot the Methodist Episcopal Church were ment oned. But the English Conference declined the proposal, sayiug however, that they would "gladly take into con:iideration any proposition" for a re-union that would give that Conference '* ellicicnt direction" of Canadian all'airs. In 1843, the same proposition was again made. To the offer of the English Conference to take "ellicicnt direction" of the Colonial Conference and Church, no ref^ponse was given. The English Conference again > eclined referring the differences to any third party, but " to effect a satisfactory and final arrange- ment between the two Conferences/' appointed a committee \7ith full powers. In 1845, the Canada Conference also appointed a committee " w ith full power to decide on all matters of difference" with the English Conference. The committee asked for a proposal /row the Ei:gli:;:h Conference, as no proposal to it had been accepted. In reply the English Conference proposed to receive all the U. Canada preachers into its body, taking the entire responsibility of the Canadian work, and giving the preachers the same rights and privileges as the English preachers. In 1846, the Canada Conference entirely objected to the Eng- lish proposal ; a motion was however made to send delegates to England, to urge another proposition, viz. to form one confeder- acy of the Wesleyan Societies in British America, each Province to have a separate Conference, and a General Conference to be fortnud ol murnbers of the different Provincial Conferences. It was understood that influential members of the BritishConference were in iavour of the plan. The Delegates proceeded to England, and a Committee of the English Conference was appointed to confer with them. But, it appears, that the last proposal ofthe Canada Conference, though advocates appointed for the purpose, met with no more success than he first ; and that the Delegation of 1846 was as sad and complete a failure as the Delegation of 1840. No Nor'h American confederation could be formed. The plan was pre^ TTi ';' ^"«''^'' Conference was not prepared ^o^tveT eaJe'^orml'hef Th ^''^^''^ 7"!- "^^^^ *° '^' ^^"^^^^^ dele- gaies or, lather, the proposal of 1842 was repeated vi7 fh*. estabhshment of a new Uni!,n, not on the former fasfsgivi^. the English Conference but an inefficient control,-but on I found a? tior. which would allow this Conference the entire command and Ufe" cLtr'^Thf ^'V'^f ^>'^" P^^^^^-« andTmtr: in' uppei Canada. The one Conference could have nothinrr to do rnn^'n" K 1 ''"^' the "efficient direction" of, theotherf The Canadian body must submit to the absolute rui;, or to the pow! erful ri valry of the English Conference. "Choose which IhZ native you please", said (in effect, if not really) the EnSish Com mittee to the Canadian Delegates ; " Have w^ at yo "tve ha^' our strong opposition ; or have what vou have no* had our absolute control." "Blessed are the peacemakeis?' doubtless Xce^" PIT'"' r T^ 7 have bien deputed o'n aStn the oth?; ^nTV ^'"'' ^'^^" P"""^'" «^'d Perhaps one to woi^d do tho r . ^^"^'"^^t^^ ^^« i"'o''mod that, if nothing else . would do, the Canadian representatives would give up power to obtain peace. The foundation for a plan being agreed to Iplan was readily constructed. The plan received fhe^proba^orof the Delegates as read, y as the foundation of it was afforded - It will be seen that the superstructure exactly nits the basis and the basis admirably supports the superstruc u.. ' A question may arise, « Had the Canadian Delegates author- / 2 to consent to, or acquiesce in, the mode of settling our mcul ^ ties hy a reunion with the English Conference, especially fnte \ CnnL^'^'T''^^^ u^"'^"^-" As inaividuai members^f the ' Conference they could express their opinion of the measure hnf as representatives they ha'd no authorfly whatUer t'^anc L U It. ?. f "^'' }^^ "'•^ authorized them to propose, or to re ceive, the plan of a re-union on any basis. Then the sanctfon given. IS unoffic.ally given ; and the Conference is not bound By that sanction, but ,s entirely free to act in the matter. Del^.f.?.tro 1 't "^^ "" ".^^ ^."^^""'^^ '" >y '^- \c^ A^l'r^" iiCr ' " » o*^-""" "^^i iney nau no "authority" ftan^ « ^ y"'"'"'- ^^''^^^ ^ ^e^^^'- to Dr. Hannah, Aug. 26th 1840.) So the proposition of a new Union ought not to have been received, much less assented to. without notice to and au- thority from he Conference. Strange, that the repetition of ' a well-mlended but ill-advised measuV," as Dr. BunC char^ actenzed the first Union, should have been proposed by onf party 8 1 1 1 1 I or received by iho other ! Some brethren have been passing votes of thanks to the Delegates. But for what? For failing in the objects of their commission ? or for overstepping the boundary of their authority ? On the return of the Delegates, a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Conference was called to consider the new and unexpected measure of re-union. The Committee not only con- sidered and readily sanctioned what the delegales had done ; but wemt tarther, taking the unprecedented step of referring the measure to the Quarterly Meetings before it had been referred to the Conference. The power to sanction or annul the doings of the Deiesation was in another con»mitlee appointed at the St. Catherines Conference, and to which the measure should have been referred. (See Minutes of 1845.) Besides, a mere Execu- tive Committee has nothing to do with legislation for the church, and, in taking the initiative steps of sanctioning and appealing to the Quarterly Meetings, has manifestly excecoed the limits of its department, and stepped beyond the code of its duty. Had the Delegates succeeded in their mission, and the measure of a North American Wesley an Confederacy been acceded to,the Excfcutive Committee might have taken steps towards its going into opera- tion, — the principle and details of the measure having been al- ready sanctioned by the Conference; but, for the Committee, with the Delegates, to take the initiative steps in legislating on anew and important measure, the principle of which bad not even been considered by the Conference, is a strango and unwarrantable seizure and exercise of power. An Executive Committee is not a Legislative body, but is merely to execute what has already been legislated for. As well might the Executive Council of the Prov- ince pass measures for the country without the Parliament, as for the Executive Committee to sanction measures for the Weslev'an body without the Conference. It may be said, " that the Con- ference is yet to legislate in the matter." If so of what service was the assembling of the Executive Committee ? " It was in order to lay the measure before the Quarterly Meetinjrs." But the Committee had no right to appeal to the laity before the min- isters had considered the measure. Besides, the Conference is the body to appeal to the people, and not a small Committee. The Quarterly Meetings could have refused to consider the measure on the ground that it came not from the authorized and usunl onnvter. The Discinline provides that '* the Conference" (pnd not a Committee of it) shall have full powers to make rules and regulations for our own church." And it is the Conference, which is to place any " new rule or regulation respecting our temporal economy" before the Quarterly Meetings, and not a mere Committee, '^ho Executive committee was not instituted for the purposescs Oi legislation, nor was any special resolution slate iji this particular ca«e. Th» .' Committee then is in the same situation as the Delegates, in overstepping the boundary of proscribed and lawful authority. Consequently all that has been done towards a re-union with the English Conference is illegal, and therefore null and void. The Conference is not bound by the illegal act of its Committee, nor by the action of the Quarterly Meetings proceeding from that ^ illegal act, and can without bar or bias deliberate on the measure, and reject or sanction it according to its own intrinsic merits. Let no one misunderstand the purport of the preceding re- marks. It is not the abstract proposition of a re-union with the English Conference that is condemned, but the manner in which the proposition has thus far, on the Canadian side, been ! carried out. To a union with so influential, respectable, and i excellent a body as the English Conference, we have no objec- I tion, but rather an inclination, on account of the course pursued ; by some among ourselves, and for other reasons. But will the sort of union contemplated remedy that course ? We are afraid not. It rather provides for a continuation and ag- gravation of the disease, and the increase of the difficulty of a cure. Let the articles of the projected Union be consiuerod. The Canadian version or synopsis, as presented to the members, will be given. It is understood that the English articles arc more full, comprehensive, and forcible, than those laid boforo the Quarterly Meetings. The plan of re-union, giving the English Conference " efficient direction" is professedly " based" on the following preamble : — j I. That at a period when Evangelical DenominationB are exemplifying a per- vading and earnest desire to manifest rheir oneness in Chiist, and ihi.8 roll away the reproach "?hich for so many agis hns attached to the divisions and mutual acrimony of the Protestant Churches, it is extremely desirable that the unseemly differences which for some time have unhappily existed between the two branch- es of the W. Methodists in W. Canada, who ngree jn doctrine and substantially in matters of discipline, shall terminate: and that a plan be adopted for securing their cordial ecclesiastical oneness and the concentration of their associated efforts in spreading the comrnQoAalvation in Upper Canada. On the preamble, it may be remarked : 1. Tl.at the Evan- gelical Alliance plan had no influence on the one party in promoting a desire for the removal of " divisions" in Western Canada. The Canau an Conference has for six years, even since the "divisions" began, thought it "extremely desirable that the unseentily differences" should " terminate." 2. That the " un- seemly" conduct of * setiiijg ip ailar against altar,'* and "divi- ding families, societies, and neighbourhoods," has not been pur- sued by the Canadian body, as apparently implied. 3. That Mr. Richey's former statement, viz. that there " was no chemical affinity'' whatever between the two bodies, docs not warrant the idea that they are now " substantially" the'samc in " matters of discipline", practice and spitit. If the two bodies had strong !M in / 10 antipathies during the first union, surely these antipathies have not been weaken'>d by the course pursued since the dissohition. II. That with a view to the acoomplishi,ient of these niomentoua objeclB, the future relaiioDR of the English and Canadian Conferences be the same, as nearly as local and other circumstances will ad/nit.ns that whif^h exists between the Eng- lish and Irish Conferences, but that chapel and other property now held in trust for the W. M. Church in Canada remain exclusively under the control of the Conference known in law as the "Conference of the VV. M. Church in Canada," and that in respect to those chapels in W. Canada, the deeds of which require that the pulpits should be supplied by the British Coiiferenoe, the appointment to them iy the Canada Conference be subject to the sanction of the British Conference. The object of an " efficient direction" is to be obtained profes- sedly, on the model of the English and Irish Conferences. When the first Union was negotiating, the same model was before the two parties. It was thought that a union " analogous to that which exists between the English and Irish Conferences" would be "extensively instrumental in advancing the work of God." {Proceedings of Canadian Mission Board, June 1st, 1832.) — Yet, the model was not copied, and a very different Union was eflfecied. Again the model of the Irish Union comes before the same parties, and they agree to copy it in the new Canadian Union. The limitation "as nearly as local and other circum- stances will admit" is so great, however, that the second Union must be regarded rather as a new creation than a copy of any existing model. The advantage then of following a well-tried plan is defeated by the large limitation inserted, and the disad- vantage of a new and untried theory is designed for the Wesley- ans of Canada West. The model of t!ie Irish Union need not to have been mentioned, on account of the limitation in the article, and on account of the different positions of the Irish and Cana- dian Conferences : the former was never an independent body, whereas the latter has been so since the year 1828. While the article professes to follow the Irish plan, three im- portant differences are provided for. 1. In Ireland the English Conference hav£ no chapels distinct from the Irish body. But, in Canada, aftertll* projected Union, separate chapels are to remain as now. The English chapel property is to jo kept and used. The English Missionary Report of 1845 stritos that there arc 25 chapels in Canada West, viz., Toronto circuit 3, Guelph 3, Kingston 2, Brantford 2, Chingua- cousy 2, St. Clair 2, and one in each of the following places : Hamilton, London, Goti«!rich, Amiicrstburgh, Barrio, Peterbor- ough, Bclluvilit?, Bruck, Whiiby, Aidurville, liicc Lake. A chapel is also in Bytown. These chapels are necessary for a distinctive l)ody, but why noccssarj on the plan of a " cordial ecclesiastical oneness?" 2. In Ireland the English Conference have no societies and congregations scparnto from the Irish body. But, in Canada, the two bodies will still have ilistinct coDgrcgations and societies. ithics have ssolution. s objects, tliif me, as nearlj veen the Eng- lield in trust ontrol of the I in Canada," h require that menl to tliem ^nibrence. led profes- ;s. When before the xs to that es" would of God." 1832.)- rnion was before the Canadian r circum- md Union ly of any well-tried the disad- c Wesley- ced not to he article, and C ana- lent body, three im- ils distinct cd Union, sh chapel ry Report ^est, viz., Chingua- iff places : I'cicrbor- A chapel listinctive Icsiastical ietins and n Canada, 1 societief. *:i i ► No amalgamation of tht two bodies seems to be contemplated as no such object is provided for by the articles. The English chapels will, of course, be used by the same attendants as at present. 11 separate societies and congregations are to be kept up m the chapels, so doubtless in the school houses and other places ol worship. The preservation of the English distinctiveness in Canada West makes the present Union much less agreeable and periect than the first, ^ 3. In Ireland the English Conference have no preachers with mterests different from the Irish body. But in Canada, separate mimsters, are to be employed. The English Missionr "^a are . still to remam. The separate chapels, of course, will be pplied by these separate muiisters connected with the English Confer- ence. It IS true that the power of nominating preachers to the twenty-six chapels is given to the Canada Conference ; but the ima\ sanction of the British Conference cannot be dispensed, with, and therefore the real appointment is with the latter body.' Thus a distinct class of preachers will be kept up,— a distinct body of people, vyith the English modes of worship and discipline will be preserved,— and a large number of chapels will shew by their distinct appellations and the:r dilferent proprietorship that no amalgamation of the Weslcyuns has taken place, but merely some slight conjunction (styled "Union") has been cflected. The second article appears framed with the Dissolution of the second Union even in view As the English Conference gives up I nothing, so at the next Dissolution they can easily fall bJck upon ; the present platform, marshall the forces ready and near, and re- / sume their distinctive and independent operations with in reascd __ vigour and success. Whoever expects that this part of the plan will aid in securing a "cordial ecclesiastical oneness" and assist m terminating the "unseemly dim'rences"i)etween the two Wes- leyan bodies expects from separate religious bodies more than ecclesiastical history will allow, and liom distinct Methodist communities more than past experience warrants. Whoever anticipates religious " oneness" to come from carefully neirotia. ted distinctiveness, expects ** " What ne'er wait, nor ii, Nor e'er aliull be." An important omission occurs in the article. Not only are : ;• x.t:-u=it - viiiciciicu lo DO preseived, but thera is no clause to prevent their increase. New chapels may be , InL''" IT '"'^h'^u'',/''' ^"*^'"^ Conference, even while the so- / called Union" shall continue. As the Mistionary chapels will have i I advantage over the Cana.lian chapels, in rccard to Tn^J^ TV^ ^^^ 'f- °u^^'°" ?^ preachers, an inducement to deed chapels to the English conference will continually cxisL and ^mtgr^ti from the United Kingdom, opocially, will doubtlew Ilii !lii !ii| i lis iilm 12 • take advantago of the libcrt j. Indeed, the Missionaries at their lata meeting in Toronto require, that over all church property now in the possession of the Canadian body the English Confer- ence shall be allowed some control, and that all property in fu- ture shall be deeded to that Conference. So that an increase of separate chape's may bo confidently expected. III. That (acRording to former articles of Union) the British Conference sbaii appoint one of their memberB as I'reNident of the Canadian Conference, and. (an in Ireland) a Co-Delegate, who ulinll he associalod as a member of the Stationing Comoiitlee, and who may be uithor an Eiglish or Canadian Miniiter in full con- nection with eitlit^r Conference, us may from time to time be most convenient. I( the appointed President cannot remain in Canada during the whole year of hii Presidency, his associate shall fur the remainder of the year, take hii place in Canada, and superintend the work uf God there. 1. The Rev. Dr. Beaumont is reported to have said : " There is just as much reason in the Canadian Conference sending Presi- dents to us (the English Conference) as for us to send Presidents to them ; and they are just as competent to manage their own affairs as vvc arc to manage our ullhirs." " The Uev. Dr. Bunting said that he thought so too. Tlic Union had been wrong from the beginning. lie bcliovod it had boon a great evil to tlie Can- adian Conference, and no good It) the British Conference." [Rev. Mcss7-s. W. and E. Rijcrsoiis Report of tlic.ir mission to England in 1840.] Yet Presidents from ihe English Conference are to come, by the articles ol' the second Union as the first. The Irish model is j)rofcssedly copied. But the Irish Presi- dent is first President uf the English Conference. Why not copy this part of the Irish plan ? If the Canadian Conference must have English preachers for its Presidents, why not select those who have already boon Presidenta ? This provision would al- ways warrant the ('anadian Conference in expecting efficient and experienced ministers, and make the present rule less objection- able and distasteful. There are two especial evils connected with a foreign Presi- dentship. I. The minister is a stranger, and therefore unac- quainted with the Canadian preachers and people, and the pecu- liarities of the work in the Province. 2. He. as a stranger, is liable to be biassed by and for a party. The interest of a party he may more cultivate than the good of the whole Conference and church. In the former Union, the same President could not continue m omcu Dut a year, unloss at tno request oi ihe Coiifci'ehce. This regulation was a useful check on the chief officer ; but no such regulation is in the present articles. JNor is there any pro- vision in case the English President shouy not arrive in time for the Conference. 1. A Co-Delegate is to assist the President in the ffovcrnment of the Conforoncc. The noccssity for this new onicer ji not y aro to < 13 'npparont, except it be to strengthen the English power in the ^ Conference. In the former Union, no such officer was no- sssary and because such an officer exists in the Irish Conference is no reason for such in the Canadian body. He may be a Canadian preacher ; but U cannot bo expected that he will oppose the power which elected him. He is to be a member of the Stationing Committee, He may be a standing officer of the body ; for no provision is made tor a change. If such an officer be necessary, • then let the Canadian Conference have the privilege of choosinr' him, that he may represent their wishes anrl assert their rights." ■Ill^in ,Tl?'i!^^''^ ')!'i^"'r'' '^^"'^ Canadian Conference Rl.all be IranBniilled annu- al Vrnuu.t?^h-I^°rf'^"r''' ""•* *? ^""K'"'-'^'' in »he same way ti.at the print- Srnim-? I ' ^""«,"",°° ''"'"' "'*">"• *'^*'"' occordmR to the Deed of Senlement propowd by Mr. Wed«y between the tngl.Hl. and Irish Conference.. 1. The fourth article is the most important of the whole. Other articles take from the Canadian Conference its independent ex- ecutive power ; this article shuts up all right to free, separate, and independent legislation. 8. It has been said, that "the transmission of our Minutes of Con- ference to he recognized by the. En be something more than an easy and indiffi^rent annual for- mniity. i> (*•) l'l«al whellicr tho rocognilion of the Minutes be a mere i;i ! J !■ "! ' 14 ,lfofriiiality or not will depend, not on the English, but on the Can- . adian Conference itself. If the Canadian preachers quickly learn the lesson of dutifulness and submission, acquire a gentle and ductile temper, and exhibit a ready and perfect obedience to the ipower which is to have the " efficient direction" of them, the re>- cognition and sanction of the Minutes will be a quiet and easy \ aflSir to the Enghsh Conference. But if the Provincial preachers * Manifest the unfettered and independant spirit of 1839-40-1, and produce such strong tempered and vigorously worded resolutions and addresses as passed the Conference in those years by over- whelming majorities, soon will it be found that the fourth article is a noose to hold tight those who have been caught by the plea ,'of " formality," a bridle to curb the r^sh and headstrong spirits, /and a chain to fetter uneasy and struggling dependants. 8. The fourth article doubtless contains the power of vetoing, and bestows it on the English Conference. If any doubt whe- ther the word " recognized" is comprehensive enough to include the veto power, let it be understood that the English version of the article is more energetic, and reads thus : " Thai all and every the acts, expulsions, admissions, ^'C. tj^., of the Canada Conference shall he transmitted annually to the British Conference for their approval, and shall when confir.ned by them, become 'legal." In the face of this article thus" strongly expressed, who will assert that the English Conference is not to have the veto power ? or who will declare that the Canada Conference is longer an independant legislative and executive body ? Aot an "act" can *• become legal" without the "approval" and confir- mation of the English Conference ! As tho President of tho United States and the Queen of Grent Britain, can arrest and bar tho progress of legislation, however desired by the Parlia- ment or the people, by the constitution of those respective coun- tries, — so the English Conference by this article car stop and render incfiicicnt every " act," whether executive or legislative, ' of the Canada Conference, l-nwever desired by the preachers and however necessary to tho people. 4. This nrticie makes the principal diflerenco between the former and present Union. Formerly, no transmission of our Minutes for " approval" and confirmation was necessary.— Licgality was stamped on the actions oi' tho Conference as soon as they were completed. No other and higher power was askod Iw nfjj;nJTU uiiu saiiCiiuil j.jit:ii». Jittvi tii-j i-rnf^n'--- - presented t'» the Quartet ly Meetings it is vrry doubtful whether so many would have concurred in the nrticle. The tirst Union gave the English CnnftMcncc power in the executive ; tho second grants all possessed belur J, and adds thcieio strong |»ower in the legislative doparlmcut. 5. Tho power in the legislative dopurlment of the church is tho highest which *.he one Confcenco could receive, or tho other Ui IS the Can- :kly learn ntlc and cc to the n, the rem- and easy )reachers 40-1, and isulutions by ovcr- th article the plea ig sipirits, f veloingt ubt whe- include rcrsion of ! all and Canada 'onfercnce I, become jsed, who ; the veto ercnco is Aot an id confir- nt of the irrcst and e Parlia- ivc coun- slop and ;gi8iativOt preachers wccn the m of our essary.— c ns soon tvas asked 1 whether rst Union lie second fvowor in church is the other confer. No other grant received could so enrich the Eiiglisli body, and no other gift conferred could so impoverish theGana- dian church. If no other condition were required, in order to settle " the unseemly differences," this would surely be enough on the one part ; for it fully and manifestly takes away the inde- pendance of the body, and makes it dependent on another. If the English Conference took no slmre of the executive power, and had no hand in the appointment of the President, Co-Dele- gate, and other officers of the Conference, — it; they gave upj all influence in the stationing of the preachers, — -If they used not a iingei- in taking and expending the funds of the body,—- if they left the Missionary department entirely to Colonial superinten- d by the Cannda Conference in the same way as other preachers of the Canadiin Conference. (4tli.) That the trial of an;/ Mismoiiary sent from England to Canada, io full connection with the British Conference, who may be occused at any time of misconduct, or of any deviation from the doctrines and disciphne of the Melho- dial Connexion shall be lelt with the District Meeiinv to whieh eaid Mississ-;? inav belong, und eubsequenlly to the Canadian Confe'rence; but such Mbiuiiary (if he have tieen in full connection with the British Conference at the time of hie leaving England) shall have the right of oppeal to the British Conference. The third branch of the supreme power which the English Conference will have \\\ the Colonial Wesleyan bodv is, the poss- ession and control of all Jhe missions, ission schools, and mis- sion property. The first branch of power is, the supplying of the executive department with such men as they may exclusiveb Canadian imcdiately Hhall appoint Canada, who of tb» Cana- nt of Mis- 1 superin- i in saving missions, lent work, )fiice of a he to su- airmen be ndency ? It need of ce, as the nust be to t and res- Dvided for be* and new Vest ahall be y under tlie 8 amount to iknd the sum id«nl of the le Chairmen Conference. linitlera and , during the int»nd«nt of t diatributed auiiliary t« ■hall be* ac- for the aup« r in Canada ly aa other tada, in full ny time, of the Metho- Miaiwnary time of hia noe. ! English ihc poss- and mis- ingofthe clusiveli 17 deem meet ; the second is. lo snffor only such legislation aa they will approve of; and the third is to have the entire mission de- partment imder their exclusive direction. The power which the English Conference will have in the missionary work will appear in the provisions of the several regulations. \st Regulation. ■' 1. The amount to be expended is to be determined by the Missionary Committee in London. The concession of the prin- ciple of amount involves the concession of another principle, viz. the right of limiting or extending the mission field. The pres- ent field of missionary labour mav be enlarged, just occupied as at present, or contracted, not at the option of the labourers in the field, but according as a Committee three thousand miles dis- tant shall decide. Now, the Provincial ministry decide the ■amount to be expended, and the extent of the field of operations. But the right is to be relinquished, and to be given to a body which cannot be so conversant or interested in the nmlter as the parties in the country. •2. After the general amount is awarded, the executive offi- «ersof the Conference and seven others arc to have the humble offiai of r'istributing it. 3. Another provision is, that a Provincial Committee shall be appointed of preachers and laymen, — not to decide the general amount, nor to distribute it, — but to " apply any means granted by the Parent Committee and not distributed," in case any new iraission should be commenced in the interim of the Conferences. However, no such contingency is to be expected ; and the Com- .miUee will very seldom be called on to perform the appointed dutv. The annual appointment of the Coamiittee is not warrant- ed by any Jieoessity. Besides, the yearly publication of the names of respectable lay members as ofircers of the Missionary Board may incline the public lo believe that such persons are the responsible expenders of the missionary funds, whereas they Jiave nothing to do io the matter. 2nd Regulation. This regulation lakes away the independence of the principal Missionary Society in Upper Canada, and makes it merely an auxiliary to another Society. Article I. requires that separate chapels be continued. The third regulation of article Vll. makes provision for the supply of the chapels. The arrangement for the stationing of the *• Missionaries of the Parent Missionary Society now in Canada West," implies their remaining in Canada West. Though nom- inally to bo connected with the Canadian Conlerence, they will retain their present relationship to, and have still all the rights 111. ■I'' 13. I"' nnd privileges of other members of, the English Conference. A distinct class of preachers from the Provincial ministry is to*be preserved ; and from this class, of course, the distinct chapels •will be supplied, A complete English organization will be kept up, as now, within the boundaries of the Canada connexion ; and two classes of preachers with diftcrent interests, two bodies of i Weslcyans with diffbreut usages ; and two sorts of chapels with deeds to separate Conferences, will continually shew that the Union IS more fornlal than real, itwre in letter than in spirit, and i more m theory than practice. The provision that the " Mission- aries of the Parent Missionary Society" shall be stationed by the Canadian Conference is no concession on the part of the English Conference, as it appears ; for it is not the 'Canadian Conference' which stations the preachers, but the Stat'oning Committee ; and the treaty provides that all the members of that committee shall be directly or indirectly appointed by the English Conference. Therefore, the stationing of the " Missionaries" will still be in the power "of the English Conference, and no concession what- ever is made to the Provincial body. If the Canadian and English preachers are to co-operate har- moniously, the incomes of both classes ought to be idikc. At present, the English preachers receive much more than the Canadian. We are informed that the former preachers avcra-^e an annual income of £>'Zm ; whereas the latter scarcely average ^100. It cannot be expected that the "Missionaries" will acquiesce in so largo a reduction of salary ; nor can it be ex- pected that the English Missionary Committee will deprive them of just and understood claims and privileges ; nor is there any provision for such a reduction in the articles of union ; and, therefore the fair inference is, that the incomes of the "Mission- aries of the Parent Missionary Societies" will remain as at present. In two important particulars then will the •' Missiona- ries" differ from the Canadian preachers, viz : their estimates will be larger and their incomes will bo sure. Can two classes of men thus differently circumstanced work harmoniously toge- ther ? Who can expect it i In the former Union, an important provision was made, so that the English Conference could not increase their Mission- aries here without being "requested" to do so bv the Canada Conference. But no such provision is made in the articles for the new Union. A door is therefore opened for as many ' Mis- .-.-.ix,=.iv= -..1 Miu iuicui itiiS3:s;uary oociciy, irom Jiingiand, as the funds of the Society will allow, or the temper of the Canadian preachers may make expedient. A consequence of this increase ol the English "Missioiuuici.' will be, that able and pious young men of the Province will be disregarded, and Colonial talent wiU bo in no request. An Engliiih, and not a Colonial, ministry may fill tlie Wcsleyan pulpits of Canada West. Another conftcqucnpc will 19 which may follow is. that the membership of the Canadian Con- ference may bo so changed that tbe very identity of the present body may be entirely lost. All that is necessary is, thai the va- cancies by death or otherwise, be supplied by "Missionaries from the Parent Missionj^y Society," which supply, in the course of time, will so change and supplant the proper membership of the bo(W^, that instead of having a Canadian Conference, it will be an English Conference in Canada. The Colonial identity of the Conference will be lost, and the members of the British Conference will be in fact and form the Canadian Conference itself. 4th Regulation. That it is intended to send preachers from England to Canada is clearly implied in the regulation for their trial. After trial by the Canada Conference, members of the English Conference may appeal from the decisions to their own body. The right of appeal is another weakness in the proposed Union, being a pro- vision for collisions between the two bodies. VIII. The foregoing Articles constituting tiie basis of a settlement, tiie follow ■ ing is the means proposed by the Parent Miesionary Committee to aid in tlia promotion of the work in Western Canada : — That work is of a twofold character. Ist. It embraces p^urely Missionary ground among the Aborigines and other*. 3nd. Circuits which contain within their limits new and dpslitute settlements. With a view of OBsisting these different classes it is proposed. Ist. That in addition to the sum raised in Canada West by the Auxiliary Missionary Society, the Parent Society make an annual grant of £1000 for Missionary purposes ii> Canada West. The year to commence May 1847. 2Dd. That as a great num- ber of circuits include within their limits new and destitute settlements inhabited chiefly by emigrants and of so poor a doss as to be unable to pay their ministers, the sum of £600 be annually granted for carrying on the work of God in these sections of the country. — the sum to be added to the contingent fund collection in Canada and distributed by the Committee of the contingent fund consisting of ministers and laymen. The financial provisions of the Union are for the Canada Conference to relinquish all claim on the Government grant of £700 per annum, with the accumulations of it for the last six years, and to pay all contributions for Missionary purposes into the hands of the General Treasurer of the English Weslcyan Missionary Society; and for the English Conference to pay jGIOOO annually for Canadian Missions, and £600 into the Contingent Fund of the Canada Conference. The two last provisions arc thought to be advantages to accrue to the Canada Conference through the Union, and arc used as arguments to secure the passing of the measure. MrssiowARY Grant. The appropriation of £1000 for Missionary operations is con- sidered a liberal, disintcresled, and noble gift, (see the Address of the Executive Committee to the Quarterly Meetings,) on the part of the English Conference. But which party will derive a great financial benefit from the Union, and which party will be 20 h¥' ad vautagcd not at all, will soon appear from some suitable con- suierations. 1. The English Conference now spends in Western Canada about £2400 per year on their Missions and Schools. By the proposed Union only £1600 will be spent, viz. £1000 for Mis- sions and £000 for the Contingent Fund. The Union will be sure to save the English party £800 per annum. 2. The Canadian Conference must however relinquish its entire claim on the Government grant of £700 per year. The Conference has hitherto claimed the whole ol the grant, and would consent to no partition except in proportion to the num- bers ot the two bodies; and which proportion would give the Con- lerence nearly the entire grant. The Conference relinquishing its I claim IS. in fact, a gift to the English Conference of £700 a year, is there nothmg " liberal" and "disinterested" in this gift^ Ofj the £1000 to be spent after the Union, £700 are to come from the Canadian Governn^-^nt, and £900 from the English Confer ence funds. Instead of paying out £2400 as now, the English Lonlcrencc will actually expend hereafter, but £900, and thus thev will acquire a saving to their funds of £1500 per annum.— Who now gains by the Union financially ? The English party gams as much moneij as power by the treaty which the Cana- dian Delegates have entered into. 3. Nor is the entire financial benefit stated. It will be re- coilected that the Government Grant has not been paid for about SIX years, and perhaps would not be paid at all unless both par- ties entered into some agreement on the subject. The agreement being entered into, the back grants amounting to £4200 and interest, will now be paid. Who is to receive the six years' accumulations ? No stipulation has been made for the Canada Conference to receive any part of it. Notwithstanding the losses to the Centenary Fund, and the losses sustained ir the preachers salaries, through the abrupt dissolution of the f ,rmer Union, no effort seems to have been made to repair either of the losses from these accumulations of the gi-ant ; but the whole is proposed to be quietly surrendered to the English Conference, and all the former protestations and efforts of the ProvincialConfernco are rendered supererogatory and ineffectual. The Canada Con- ference then saves the EnglJsh expenditure £1500 per annum, reduces that expenditure to £900, and puts into the hands of the English brct liren about £5000 as an encouragement to unite M'lth the brethrrn fhnv f»nst nff A II iho* tU^ 'K'_:,i:_l n r . . .: "• ••" Sunt in\j siiii^iisii vjuuicrcncG required IS given up, and they begin the new Union with money enough m hand to prevent their spending an additional shillini , lor the next five years ! Surely the Canadian Delegates became/ advocates ol the body they were sent to rather than the body they were sent hy. A treaty of more unequal advantages can^ acarcely be conceived. — « ««» « 'it *• ^"V^j^^financial part of the negotiation is not vet dismissed t IS provided that what money is contributed liere shall b^o^n^ and'i^oo f-'"' addition of ^loio. i.e. ^700 IronX olrnS and ^300 from the Enghsh Missionary fund. The CamXn body raised last year about ^2.800; ancl the English about ^^^^^^^^ h^ F ^ ? total oli;3,G00. To the English conrnbutfon o^8o2' he English MissionarySocie.y have now to add about £1600 -- thus their total expenditure of ^^2,400 is n.nde up 1^ o sun» yearly contributed by both bodies is as follows : To the Canadian Conference Blissions, £o son To the Eng. Conf. Missions in Canada West, 21400 Ihus a contribution for Missions of i;5,200 was obtained from tions be so groat ? Can it be expected that a U ion li vX du" both bo- same .o« .1 • I . ---■--■_ J •-^^^'y-iji oiaiuu mcir ue iueiateconv ^3L vvil'^'P"!"'' ^>^^'"^' ^'''^^''"^ contribution of be |dies will certainly and greatly diminish. We are of the ^oro'nn,^^h^rn\'\'^^'^^'^^^'^^ C«"«d'«" 1^4 wi raise ^..800, nor the Enghsh body £800. if the present treaty of union go into operation. Il the contribution. lessen, will the EnH T Conference make up the deficiency ? There is no o bli^.f V^ ! give more than £lioo. U the deficiency be no ^ur nfed th« missionaries employed must have their salaries LnTcted'. or dered Th "'""'.^"u'^ ^' ^i ven up, and the work o G ,d i.ln' tm -this'ha:;: Um^n.'" -'---^^^-^^-^^ -e likely to result; 5 Another thought on the financial subject. The English Missionary Society professes to give the Canadian Conferfnce ^1000, but in truth the contributions of the Canadian bod vwiM ^ave to assist the English work in Canada Wes^ The rnti^' oi the Canadian '.d> are already sufficientiv suLzZ'Ta [ft w I' m' work contribuitf oy^r its expenditure ; and last year there wat a balance of more u»aii £ >000. Instead of the Miss, ^nary grant going to the Canadian woiit, as some imagine, the entue sum will be spent on the English missions, and instead of the English Conference assisting the Provincial Conference work, the latter Conference must support the English work by its yearly balance !! The Union then is not for the benefit of the Provincial Mis- ns, which already arc well supported, but for the advantage o. he English work. Whoever regards the Missionary grant of ^1000 as an advantage to the Canadian Conference, is in great f error, and very much deceived. The English party win in every part of the negotiating contest, acquiring peaceable and everlast- ing possession of the Government grant, the entire accumulated grants of the last six years, a great reduction in its annual ex- penditure, and the free use of the balance coming from the Can- adian ' ody. Excellent negotiators were the individuals compo- sing the Committee of the English Conference ! Dr. Bunting is noted for his financial scheming. The Union treaty must be his j masterpiece. But probably the Canadian Delegates were no match for such a renowned financier. It is now tiino lo consider the Contingent Fund Grant. The English Conference proposes to give £600 to the contin- gent fund of the Canadian Conlerencc. Whether the grant is to proceed from the Eiiglish contingent fund, as does the Irish grant of £650 per annum, or from the missionary fund, does not ap- pear from the artic!:^s. The grant seems to be a decided advan- tage to the Provincial preachers, and a sort of compensation for the Government Grant with the accumulations. Our incomes are deficient yearly from £800 to £1000, or above : a large sum for so small a body of ministers to lose I The grant v. ilh our col- lections, may nearly make up the sum deficient. The preachers would then be plnced in easy and comfortable circumstances. That the circumstances of the preachers will be made belter bv the grant, is howe .rr, very uncertain. The preachers them- selves may hinder tho . "omplishment of the object, by partial neglcctof the circuits % - ^:. • Sn large a sum in the contin- gent fund may conduce ;c as r nofulness, expecting that all deficiencies vvill be met a* ♦h" Conference Or circuits may be ycndeicd neglectful considering that if they do not make" up the full income of t'.e preachers, the con- tingent fund will be able to do so. Cluss-leaders and stewards may be wrongly influenced by this grant. Carelessness on the part of preachers or circuits would soon cause the £600 to be swallowed up. There arc six districts in our conference field, and die grant allows but £100 to each. If the circuits of a district should average £8 or £10 of a larger deficiency than at P there wai )nary grant entire sum the English i, the latter ly balance !! nncial Mis- I advantage ary grant of is in great vin in every ind everlast- ccumulated annual ex- )m the Can- uaiscompo- . Bunting is must be his 1:=^ were no i 10 consider I the contin- 3 grant is to 3 Irish grant oes not ap- ;ided advan- ensation for incomes are rge sum for iih our col- e preachers mstances. ladc belter chers them- , by partial the contin- ;ing that all ring that if rs, the cou- ld stewards mess on the jEOOO to be jrence field, circuits of a ncy than at S3 « kp.ows that it ,™eS.nWv?! ''/ 'he grant. Every preach- £10 in its finano . Tea"f ^,S. sh luZ' '" '°°^"= *» or deficiency f 100, on acc°rr >IV,. « "''.'' '° "' "rdinary be of„„ 'dvan,ag:\:irev:r. 'L'taX:' ^^Z"'' 'l "I certainlv not cause ihc el^im^ r.n th t'^'^'icners. Ihe^rant wi or; and- that it will ^u the eJahLTb^^^^^ iremely probaou . ' "' ^"^ ^"^ "^"^^^ larger is ex- missionary lund. LSad of m. L^ ^^'"g^"^ ^""^ assist the former, as at present TheVpn 1°..'^" '"""'' ^""^ ^-^^^^^^ the may be pleasS hertaftei to .'f ^"P^'-'»^^«dent of Missions settlements" witWn circdts fronf K '"'"' "new and destitute thev mav be assisted from , hi .^ ""^'"'"^^ ^""^' '» ^^'der that of the 2nd cla e :? Ircl^^^^^^^^^^^ The wording may lawfully be done/ Thus th;i60o%n*i '''"'' '^'"' '^"' may case the mission fund to tJi,^..^! the contmgent fund cies of the conference may be Lt as T.r""'' "J^ '^' ^^fi^'^"' aid was given. ^ "' ^^ ^^^^"^ ^^ ^^'^en "o foreign beJrjftrectltXtet^ Parent Missionary Sodetv-r^ ""''^ "' 1' ^^'^^'^"ariesof the ciencies to the LmSL'of tL '"!-'''''^ '°"^° °^^heir defi- claims of the fund wi^Hn^-ense 17?,"''"^'"^ ^""^- ^hus the the Canadian preacWs w'f dlmilV '"'^^'"^^ "^'^^^^^^ b>' cou:^gm^^;:?t^?;h:^ ^t^ P-nt en. fini^ncy may be confidentrantic 'aTed A ' ^"' ^ ^"'"^^ '^'■ m tiic Union caonot bo cLectS' 1 .n ^'""*'' ^acquiescence '' ^ • ^- distrus.. .v.il nece^saril t ^.."°"''.^9uence of dissatis- ■^^' the circuits. W 1 the ieoo' ."^Lt Ih^'^l'^^'^^^ ""^'^^ ^^^^^^^^ Conference make up the deSn K'^ VTI ^"^'''-'^^ ^''^^ the articles. uciuiency . j\o such provision is m ^f^:^^ StS?^ ''I ^-- -^ ^« re- union on the expectation t^'ha^^ in AttmC if^tf" IT^ ^°'* ''^« Ties will be met/may very soon find ^^^^^^^^ ^^I^" pnncple of entire suppon fVom 1 1^ l. '/" '•^^q^'s^'ing the prmcipleofn:,r.i«iw./JiL„.''''" ^''° Pe<^Pl<^' and adontin^Sfh. imitating the' dogln'theXbrwhrS^^^ tempt to catch a1 the shadow To nX t^ '"'^''""^'^ ^» ^^e at- tageousto the Canadian preachers t hi ^^ ^/'"* '^^^^>' ^^ ^an- on the contingent fund! and'^^^.'^^ ^^.I^.^^^^e no larger clain^s the jeeoo added to our own Jiii collections for it. Then .o»rce of great 4li:f";„7a"d a te"" .K" J"""^ ">» '-^ « Before such gran, can.be applfelT t'o" .t ^^^^ „, ^ 14 i : I 11 4 111 h 4 allowances of the preachers", it seems liiat the Quarterly Meet- inngs should be expressly consulted concerning the "new regu- lation." (See Discipline book, sect, ii., restriction 6th.) Were the late consultations of the Quarterly Meetings legal, the parti- cular " regulation" was not specified. But it is argued that the Executive Committee did not address the Quarterly Meetings, but merely meetings of the members. If so, then the '"regulation" has not even apparently been laid before the proper boards. The grant of £000 to the contingent fund is rega.'dcd as com- pensation for the gift of our share of the Government Grant of £700 to the English Conference. If so, then the Canadian Con- ference will indirectly receive the Government Grant " for their own pecuniary support", whereas in 1837 they avowed " their determination not to receive or apply any legislative aid" for that purpose. (8ce Minutes of 1837.) Is not this inconsistency? If the English Conference grant be not received in the light of a compensation, then the Government grant is surrendered with- out any equivalent whatever. Is not this folly ? Are we so rich that we need no help for connexional purposes ? There is however no necessity of involving the conference in inconsistency, or rushing into an unprepared Union with another body, for th'^ sake of having the incomes of the preachers fully made up. if the preachers desire this reasonable and proper practices, let them immcdiatciy adopt the firm and settled piin- ciplc, viz. that no preacher shall go without liis lull disciplinary allowance. If £600 are necessary, the sum could be immediately raised. The half yearly collections for the contingent fund, if more carefully attended to, and the subject more zealously urged. might doubtless yield JCIOO more tiian at present. The circuits ot the six districts mifflit certainly lessen their claims on the fund by £100, by increasing the quarterage of the preachers to that amount. Wc might receive £200 per annum from the Book .Room, by a very small change. If the Editor have the office lof Book Steward, (and the two offices could very conveniently 1 be united in one person.) the Editor's rent of £[i^t would be / saved, as well as the Book Steward's salary of JC150 ; and £15 ' to these sums wou'd make the £200 to pass into the contingent fund. Thus £400 arc already provided. If £200 or £300 more are necessary to carry out the principle, the Missionary Society might contribute the sum. The principle of this Society assisting the contingent fund has already been admitted and acted on. A fufihcr extension of the rule would meet with as little objection from the contributors as the first admission of it f did. In this simple and easy way all the incomes of the prcach- \ ers could be fully made up, and all the necessity of entering into ^ a union with another body obviated. Wo have now finished ' the remarks on the particular artiden, but in concluding shall offer some other observations. sr\y Meet- new regu- i.) Were the parti- id that the Meetings, egulation" oards. 3d as com- t Grant of dian Con- " for their ed " their ■ aid" for nsislency? ; light of a Bred with- Aro we so fercnce in th another ;hers fully nd proper !ttled piin- sciplinary I mediately nt fund, if isly urged, le circuits IS on the cachcrs to 1 the Book the office aveniently would be ; and £15 contingent or iJSOO lissionary li.s {Society lilted and t with as ssion of it 10 preach- ering into w finished iing shall Concluding ObseuvaTions. 1. There is a strange omission in the articles of rc-Union con- cerning 7Jo/t^/ca/ dismission. Yet politics are not entirely forgot by the English party ; for the London Watchman, in lately recommending, the pr'^jected Union, stated that one great result would be, the strcngtnenmg the connexion of the Province with the Mother Country ; for doubtful loyalty would be united with undoubted by the ecclesiastical bond. The English Con- ference thought the former Union would have the same happy political tendency. The dissolution of the Union doubtless gave "the connexion of the Province with the Mother Country" a great shock. It is well that the " connexion" has not been entirely broken by the long separation of the two ecclesiastical bodies' One ot the causes of the dissolution was, says the' English Conference, The decidedly and proininenl polilir.al charnntcr of lli(» " Christinn Gunrdian," in violniion ot pledires given to ua and to llie Upper Canada Conference from 18H3 10 1839. Yet no provision is made in the articles of re-Union for the paper again becoming "decidedly and prominently political," or for the viol;itiu)i of "solemn, reiterated, and recorded pledges" by the same party. The Canada Conference may interfere in the secular politics of the country, or may sufler some member of its body so to do, of which the instances are noi unfrcquent, and the English Conference will not apparently complain. Is the omission by design ? Then the former complainings oj' the English Conference do not show greater aversion to politics than the other body possesses. In it by neglect ? Then the treaty is but an ill-considered plan. Or does the English Con- ference confide in the resolutions concerning the paper? Prohibitory resolutions existed under the former Union, nnd they were violated. Under the new Union, members of the English Conierence may have again to say, — "We fenl, wo confess, humiliated, and almost rliudderlo rrflect liow soon,— hnw recklPiily, — how rfinorHoly, — and hnw inncmnntly, — a resohition, recorded in Ihe journnlii of ihp Conferencp, nnd t'y its dircclion puldiflud ;o Uif world, wan HUliNequenUy violated frnm weeW to week, and from nionUi to munUi.'' — (Mesitit. Stinton and Richey'a pamphlet on the dissolution of the Union.) Surely the new Union ought to be strongly guarded especially in the place where the old Union was so vulnerable. The omission of all provision concerning political discussion nnd iuici Jt:ix;ii'-t: is a f^jtrai the inference that the new Union will probnl)ly be of very short duration. S. Another causo of the dissolution was, that the Canadian Con- forenco refused to adopt tho following requirement conrcrning the (JhnHian GuardiaH ,•'— m i S6 -r 'h« Vvi,a.f £ '"7\r .'" ">• ''<=»«"«wled«ed princi,.!., » andioK o,. ilus point, the ComniU p!' , '^ '^'"' '" "^•^'''"g lor a right unK their eyes ? Or is tho K^ fn T'''^"^"^^ '^^'^ clearly before on a suVc. wh.cVts S yt: ^^^ years ago? One inference or^o£?o,,, j" ^° r' ""'>' '^'^ omission of the subject in the ar irin! f tu^'^'^"^'''^ <'0"^ the the CArm/a;^ Guardian now d ct n IV ' ''"K"'""- ^^^^ ^*ished in 1837, and broach Te most , .^ ?' '' ^^''- ^'^''^'^^'•^ oflending the English Col enc" f Tbn ^*^^"'^*''^7i«m. without ^obe annihilated! althoudi our Fn„I h i^'"''."' ''' ^'^^ J''" '" ^^^''^^^^ a«d may probably be what it bn, nT § ^'^ ^''^ Canadian body, Pohtical Tnd a purei^ vo ^i'^'/^^^^^' ^f-' vi. ; a partiall^' Un.on be weakened or destroyed^ O will h?' """ ''^'^ "'^^^ the paper shall hereafter savV Th. ^ ^^^"° '"^'^"er what "the support of the Chr -Ln re S't" " ^^'1 "'"'^"^^ »« orasimil..disaster;C;:„^;tet:^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^:^^^l^t:^i^^ ''- -^-' - ^he part of mont grant from the CyrgrReserVo Fnn I'"''''. "^ '^'' ^^^^«'-"- regular payment at a time vvherit I.- ^^ ^^'^i ^° '•"^"^^^ ''« n»ent it is well to examine - ^' «"spended. The require- lh,s unfortunate moncv grant froia the rn? ''^'^ '^^^'^ ^'-^''^n- • ** """" the Government is the parent t7 of much of the troubles which have distressed the Wesleyan bodies in Upper Canada. We have lost by it far more than wo have ever gained. But look at the inconsistency of the Confer- ence, if the grant be now surrendered as was required in 1840. The Delegates and Executive Committee have given it up ; but whether subject to the final act of the Conference does not ap- pear. If right to surrender it now, it was right to surrender it / before. If wrong then, it must be wrong now. To hold our rights we have waded through a sea of troubles ; and now wc have reached the shore, we are about giving up the object for which we ventured. It may be said, that the grant is but par- tially surrendered, £000 of it being returned to our contingent fund. If so. ' - come abreast of our resolution of 1837, which requires us not to icceive legislative aid for " pecuniary support". If no pecuniary or other compromise is to be understood, then the unconditional surrender of the grant to the English Conferenco may shew that the grant was,— as asserted by Messrs. Uichey, Stinson, Harvard, and others,—" the public property of that body," and tiiat the endeavour to transllcr it from the English to the Canadian Conference was, as has been asserted, an "under- hand" and " clandestine" act. (Mr. Harvard's " Facts," p. 27.) If no equivalent be given for the surrender of the grant, even if it be charged on the Clergy Reserve Fund, what foolish " mdom- itablenes" to refuse its snrcndcr in 1840, even with the certainty of the separation of the English Conference in prospect! and what foolish pliablcness to sanction its surrender in 1847, when there is no danger in view, but rather a prospect of obtaining the ad- vantage for which we risqued iho breaking upof the Union,and have submitted to f 11 the consequences since ! But the spirit of ' the new treaty is, to give whatever is asked, and to offer whatever is desired. We cannot blame our English brethren for taking what is given. But doubtless they wonder, as wc wonder, to see money and power put into their hands so readily by the Canadian Delegates.— commodities which could not be obtained at any price in 1840. If the re-Union, giving the English Conference the right and power of an "olVicial influence" and '"efficient direction" over the public proceedings of the Cana' "''«P"g- *' /nco«./,^e;i^ I,///, ;?e «EL ^'^^^''^'c'es of Union," but ^o^ferencefot/J oc^'i^^^^^^^^ of this pastoral oacrsi^hty Wlm.Zt/T^^^ committed to its readily accedecf to novvN^^^^^^^^ '^'^ri is to be responsibilities" of the 6onVer nie o tt "tf '^'' " °.'^''^^^'°'^^ «"d bers. and to the work of God fn h ''^^'''>' thousand mem- the Conference, " the eH c^nfw ,^.t f ^"ntry.-requiring says «'H-p which, u^der God eot ed tte 'rr'".'" '''' P««^°- vvorld,-anothcr body is to J •^ve th. I '"^"^^^''sh.p from the control of the entire '^ soc Lties " minktl^,'"^"^' ^""T' °^«'' ^"^ .^nce. If the Canada Confcrince d d S ' ^"^ r'^?"'^' ^" '^' ^''^^' m 1840, it must do wronT ^^',^^1 ^^ ''^"o''"^''^^ ^'"^'^^ - the charge of fla.rani ':^^;^Z^ j^Vo^bvittld ? ^""^ '°^^ coS' tt t ^!S S^Si^eultdt tt'-^"- 'f '' ^«^-nt support, of the ministry and woilisLi^ 'T^ i"" ^^^^'^nt contingent fund were 'nven inH .' ^"PP^^/ng l^e jCGOO to the English Missionary Vol ;,;"''t'irvSn^ '''''''''' ^« 'h« argue that such a trifle was suonor i m T'"^ ^e preposterous to proyide ibr ^X.//,/. co;//,W an^d cS ''■°'^^- ^^'^ ^''tides try and institutions of th^chu ch A , '"^^"'^ ^^' ^^'^ '"'nis- in 1840 against giyingj^vyer'^^^^^^^^^ ^^'^''^ P^-^duced fponsibility. Itwas^terdc^d £■ tTr, r^^TS re- "demanded an efficient direction mU ti f^S^'^'* Conlercnco the Canada Contercnce S"uiy iet' ^'"^t' Proceedings of rcsponsibilityofsunportiuLA In nitn,- ^ ''"^^^ ^° assume the ioyan Metlufdist Cll£° l" ^ tnada " "' hT''"'^'? ^^^'^^ ^^'««- >W. .>/Me£VXV../b.„., wtl writ "-^^^ '^^ If the Canada connexion was resnnnci?i ''^^''''■^^''^^^^t." pendant upon its own procceZ.s &' ° ""^^ '''''^''^y ^o- t^yns, ,t must be the jEdge an7di eito of T'^ ^^ '^' '■"^^'^"■ The contrary principlj is°m abn,rd?trin a I .^^ Proceedings, and social relations of life. Not evcna fnfhl T ''"^ '^''fe''^"« JM-ection oyer the proceedings of "s S ''"''?'"" ^"^^^'^"^ hrovvn upon their own resources for th?!^^" '''''^" ^'•<^3' arc I^Bs ought onecommuni.y to cla m iucha 17,^ '"^^^'"^ ' "^"^"^^ se Nsusiamod and soif-supportcd commn^^ ''^'°" over another ol the Ailn'uir. " /iti__ ' P,/^" community on an nt^nr..;,^ .:.•_ v.-nuld •■ rcluc- tlie Wcsleynn bod v ^n r^nJ. f"""""' "" ^"'o" 29 all its own institutions," " No other ecclesiastical body in Great Britain has claimed a control over a religious body in Canada, without being responsible for its support." (Letter from Messrs. Ryerson to Dr. Hannah.) These and other considerations had their proper effect on the Canadian preachers, and they refused to surrender the power over themselves and people, when the party desii'ing it would not take the proper and entire responsi- bility of support. Whether the same preachers will act the same wise part in 1847 as they did in' 1840 will soon be seen. 0. It may be said that the English Conference bringing their mterest in Canada West to unite with the Canadian interest, gives them a right of power and control. It should be recollected, however, that the English interest, though formally united to the other interest, will really be distmct from it ; and' that the Eng- lish Conference will still have the '* efficient direction" of their own body here, the Canadian Conference having hereafter scarcely ought more to do wilh it than now. No exchange of power, or reciprocity of intercsr, is at all provided for by the articles. Besides, the comparative strength of the two Provin- cial bodies docs not warrant "efficient direction" being given to the English Conference, and is nearly as follows : — Canadian Weslei/an Bodj/ : 150 preachers, 21,000 members, about 200 chapels, and £2,800 missionary contributions. English Wcslej/an Body: Preachers 17, members 3,000, chap-, els 26, missionary contributions, £800. Instead of the larger body having the controlling influence of the smaller, it is the smaller having the controlhnj^ power of iho larger, that is provided for by the articles. Whether this is right, judge ye ! 7. It may be further said, that the English Con.'erence has tho efficient direction of the Irish body, and i!'e present Union is ba- sed on the Irish plan. We reply, that the present treaty of Union is like the Irish plan but in very few particulars. It is true that the English Conference hai';j as much j)Ovver in the Irish as ihey will in the Canadian Conference, if the Union lake place. But the Irish Conference has alfo some power in the English. Representatives are yearly sent to ICngland from Ire- land. Also, in the original " Deed of Declaration" (as to who should form the legal Conference) Mr. Wesley included the " chapels with messuages and dwelling houses" in Ireland as well as in Great Britain, and inserted in the first "legal hundred" the names of eight persons living in Ireland. But no representation or incorporation is provided for the members of the Canadian Conference. While the English Conference exercises a power r^ 30 in freland, the Iri.h Conference, having members in the legal hundred ex- erc.ses some povver in England. But whil. the English Conference w^l have all power ,n the Provincial Conference, the latter will have no no ve whatever ,n the former hod;-. A .trango treaty in which every vesCoV power .. on one ..do, and nothing as an equivalent from the otiferT ^ J bJ^llZZrl ^"r^'"- '^'''fj'^f^ to Chairmen of Districts is likely to It .. loi.nd to Ijc very irksome and burdensome to a lar^e number of the le^ct:?? ?T'v 1- '!'', ^,"'^'''-^" '"'y ' -'^ -"-ely it cannot e s^'^nm* ;'^ 1^3 tyrannous e:rcrci.e of lawful authority. It is a K^. em o t,pennt.n o:)cy bnrdon.omo to the finances of the 4urch, and ot htt u^ K, promoting ine welfare of ii,c mini«tr>' or people. It is of American ongK, and suits the Episcopal form of chuirhCemmen?- ' n ^::::;' ''"-f^^ ^^^ '^V'n'l'- :^Ve.^ley, and is anomalous ^110 y S y e^ ""''' '"'^'' .^'^^■'^'^^^ "»ini«ters,%uch co.nplaint of the' ^.o s.^^n7^ not occur; but where an cminency of virtue and piety is I'e S f. V" "^^ 'y'^'^'.^'^y and prominently appear Yet, Uo every other strong cu^.tom, it is more easy to exhibit eviN tln.i to cSJcc'rr- ''"""'^ 0^ election prevent:. ^L«Vrt / Lnt T . n A m'"-"^' "'^r"' ""^ '^-^ ^''° preachers, but by the Pres- f ide ,t Thus Dr. Aldor informed a Committee of the English Conference t "^ivM le rf ^^ 'r'"r'" '''■'' 'T ^'"'^" '^'^^ ^' iir.t%ight a'pe r not' when ttv i ^. f ; ^^"^'^'•^:"^^. "'"«^: l>«^ver, yet it would appear Otherwise when they camo to cxammc mto the powers of the President, who was o be cjppomted yt^ie English Conference. He /.ad power fTaj^Zuil ltoaclt;^.™7n-^ ^vv'^'' '"^ '" ^■"""'^^*'«" ^^'^'^ ^hem to statS. all the preachers. (Rev. E. Kyer.on's.pcech,18I0.) To have Chairmen itinera- tmg from cjrcu, to circuit is fraught with var/ous evils. The rrmonious worumg ot a Union with the present system is not to be exnec'ed YeJ tlT" r; '^^. J!'^"''!-'-"/ ^--^''-J by a Union with tSg i h cln- ■erence, an'« misunderstood by our English or Canadian bretiircn. We then distinctly an.l solemnly declare that we are not opposed to a connection with our venerable father'-. and belove, bretnren <>1 the Enclish Conference. A connection between the two bodies upon lair, equitable and generous principles, would douht!e« u^ g-^y/»na iasuny iMes^.ng to vVeslcyan Methodism in Canada West.— It iH not the Lnwn which we object to, but the articles by which a con- nection ,s to be lormed. From our knowledge of the contracting parties, and Irom he recollection ol what has already taken place, we a e e Canadian ^perinlendency! ™ ""' '"'e'' f^P™»8 With these alleralions, and Ihc consent of inn- nennU ;. i ready ,„ ,lr„p „,,p,,i,i„„ ,„ .„d acquie™ In X'^^te ■ ^1"^? ' "n.^ alterations some mieht insist on c-,n.) ..„^.- i P'^''*^"^ P'a fact, and will bestow all the advantas'es resultin;' from identification with a bodv, the Parent of all the Methodism in the world. Besides, the present articles originate a connec- tion which Ciinnot possibly be aught but temporary. Another change must take place. Struggling farther with the English body will necessarily and certainly end in the extinction even of our form of independence ; and ns surely as the Powers of Europe have swallowed up the kingdom of Poland, so surely will the stronger ecclesiastical body blot out the name of one of the separate and independent churches of the land, and but one legitimate body of Wesleyans will exist and rule in the vast extent of British America and the JBritish Emi)ire. We propose the important question to every sensible and far-seeing man in the Canadian body : Is it not better to have the whole measure than the half way plan? Is it not wisest to do now quietly what wi!! be done (probably with great commotion) in months or years to come ? TFt say without scruple or hesitation, in the fear of God and with a view of consequences, that if remaining in our present position, is out of the (pn'i-tion, we prefer the entire to the half measure, a thorough and cordial uninlgamation to a i)artial and discordant Union, and a hold and iinpii ciiaag- i.i a ilmid and destructive procrastination. 1 1 i 1 , .>: and