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imk
FIVE
DEFENSIVE LETTERS
IN BEHALF Or
THE BRITISH WESLEYAN CONFERENCE;
. AND THEIR MISSIONARY SOCIETY, AND
ITS AGENTS AND CONGREGATIONS
IN WESTERN CANADA.
▲0A.IN8T
THE ATTACKS
OF
THE CANADA CONFERENCE JOF^^NAL.
(Re-Pubiidbnd from the Guardiai).}
/i
J
BY W. M. HARVARD,
Chairman of the Wcaurn Canada Wesleyan MUiionary District
" r wouM far rather put an amicable end to any dispute, where it can be done. Not that t
p.m afr 11(1 of being over done. But 1 love peace. 1 Iotb my neighbour aa myself. IJe so
Rojii uU- to impute to this motive my interfering in this tnattur."
Rev. John Wetiey to the Dean of Ripon, i7TC.
TORONTO:
PUBLISHED BY SCOBIE AND BALFOUR,
PKICE— SEVEN-PENCE HALF-PENNY.
1816.
wmk: m
Toronto :— -J. H. Lawrence, Printer,
Rear of the Court House.
PREFACE.
i
The relentless opposers of th?' early Christians, soraetimea
dressed them up in the skins of brute animals, that the most
ferocious beasts, might thereby be the more readily induced to
a .tack and destroy them.
In later days, it has not unfrequentiy been the case, that the
procedure and the principles of Christian people, have, by their
enemies in like manner been arrayed in a covering of mis-repre-
sentation, in order to excite against them a public disaproval and
a general opposition.
Similar to this, is the treatment that the British Conference and
their friends in Western Canada have rece:ved from the leading
members of the Canada Conference, for the la. i six years. This may
unhappily be seen in the columns of the Christian Guardian for
that period.
"During the last few months," that Couference Journal, has
been employed in renewed endeavours of the same description.
Its editorial articles have charged the British Conference with
the prosecution of the most unchristian measures, from the most un-
christian motives. Also, with the "unnecessary" and "alarming"
and "flagrant" expenditure, during the last "five years," of One
Hundred Thousand Dollars, raised in the Mother country for
Missionary objects, but employed in "opposition" to them.
Of this course of Conference Journal implacability, the follow-
ing public notice appeared in the Toronto Herald, November 3rd,
1845. it is from the pen of a Contributor to that paper, Signed
*^ Pacijicator."
" The Editor of the Guardian, has been for some short time past
again raking and scraping up whatever he possibly could (whether
his assertions have been correct or not, 1 do not know) against
the British Missionaries here, with the view of injuring their
credit and, standing ; at the same time professing to loish for a
reconciliation between the tioo bodies. How he can ever expect to
attain so desirable an object, by such means, 1 cannot understand.
It appears to bie, an inconsistent course I"
It is willingly conceded that some of their respected Ministers
deeply disapprove of this course ; while it is lamented that their
number is too small to procure any official disclaimer of the same^
ou the part of that body.
IV
In all civilized countries, character and reputation are justly
thtls especially the case ; as in all propriety U ought to be ,
In uroDortion as any Christian community may be considered,
eithe o'Xor to support its character, so will . deservedly 7"^^
or mc in the confidence of all truly Christian people.
From this cause it follows, that, with respec. to the rnoral influ-
ZlZ boUi churches and individuals, it is of no small degree of
rpolct;"
^^ a sood report of them that are witkout.
J . *U. " crood revort" of the British Conference .n this
To sustam the gooa lepuru u •,„, „f tVipqp Defenfeive
West , and by a cand.d and "■'.'""^X ™pe,snaded that these
25, 17yu. I ,^^ ^ ^^^g ^o wipe It off. I
Z:. Z:'t S:;l rave , ana I wUU .» spend those in peace."
^WoRKS, vol. xui., p. 249.
The writer most cordially disclaims ail hostile feelm g towards
forth b simply that ^hich marks two independent sections of he
^re^^^^^^^^^^ it is devoutly hoped, and imp ored a the
f Inf oui mostm.i-Vi God, that they and all other parts of
hands of oui most mci , ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^
,,e same Family ^ ^Su^ friendship, as become those
sentiments of smccie ^" in many points ol
on the best interests of mankind."
ToROKTO, August 20th, 18iG.
< '
DEFENSIVE LETTERS, &c.
The first defensive letter, (and which was addressed to the Presi-
dent of the Canada Conference,) was returned by the Editor of
the Guardmn ; who stated as his reason for so doing, that, in the
opinion of ceitain of the leading members of that body, the
w riter had no claim to the insertion in that journal, of " ought
else, but, corrections o/mis-statemknts." The earnest wish
of these leading Ministers, and of the Editor, appears to have
been, to confine the defence to the mere Financial question of the
Expenditure. The following may therefore be regarded as— «/ie
plea for a hearing; and may acceptably introduce the subse-
quent "defe.vce."
PLEA FOR A HEARING.
" i.'-' '..f ji'Cit u man .1 !.ic <-.; use, the Lord approveth nol,''—Lamen-
tutious iii. verse 36
Toronto, March 2lst, 1846.
Zo Ih". Ed-tc • of the C!/ris(i"t G,.c;i dian.
F.tv^. ^TH,— A(,un cln^ti at Thuve no claim upon your columns,
far uu»2;ht e.sf .an cor.e'-.tiaus^' of what are called " mis-state-
;.'ients,' 1 would suggest that my addressing such " corrections '»
in a short series of defensive .'etters to the President of your Con-
ference, should not be considered by yourself as a valid reason for
declming to insert them, in that same Conference Journal, in
which such alleged " mis-siate7nenLs" have been made.
You will alow me to remind you, Mr. Editor, that it was your-
self who publicly referred to me m the Guardian. You seemed
determined to bnng me out, befoie " the public,'' how much
soever against n., own will. For weeks before anj^thing from me
appeared {n your columns, you announced toyour i^eadeis • " Mr
li_ vvastoid he was welcome tocorrect our statement :" and added.
We have been expecting the corrections for four vveeks."
Having been hindered both by indisposition and other enffa<re.
ments from directing attention to the subject, now that I anTp^re-
pared to furnish the - corrections," it would be strange were they
not to be placed before your readers. And i,t will be admitted, that
the letter you have declined to insert, does not touch upon (to use
your own words) '_^ ought else, than corrections of what are called
m
the
. ' ,0-.- --"-»•""" '-^'"'-I'Liuua ui vvimi are cauei
i rltfw'^C^' ""^"^y" y«"r ^-^"i^'k^ on the ^'Expenditure
e English Weskiian Missionary Society in Canadd West " "
*t,o. "V f^^^^'Jf"^'" o'- r'Aihav succession of statements, upon
that subject, embraced, apong others, the following mo^i p,ovi-
incnt points .—First, The character of the Colonial Agents
supported by this expenditure; Secondly, The occasion and
mo ives of that expenditure : Thirdly, The total amount of k-
and Fourthly, 1 he modes by which its funds were obtained.
n
A trief quotation of your own words on these points will evinfie
fliat with respect to each of them, there is most obvious incorrect-'
ness, and some *' mis-statement,'' on the part of your Conference
Journal*
[Agents supported "by the Expenditure. 1
First, As to the Character of the Colonial Agents supported
by this expenditure. If, Rev. Sir, your '* statements" are to be
received, they are a most bitter-spirited and uncourteous set o^'
men :— most selfish, and mercenary, most un'^hristian and uncon-
scientious. You speak of them as " the preacliers employed here;"
— "preachers, we cannot call them Missionaries;" — "parties
benefited hy the expenditure ;" who "will readily cno?/^-/* object
to have the public attention directed towards it." You state, that
they are "persons who have exhibited a conduct not the most
courteous or the most Christian ;" that they are "opposed to the
desired arrangement of amity between the two Conferences;"
and will bring against it " all their influence on the societies here,
and with the Missionary Committee at home." You add, that
"this bitter feeling in most of the preachers, operating against
the accommodation, makes with other reasons, the necessity of
our speaking, (to counteract their influence) to all parties, whether
in England or Canada." And your finish to the mor'^.l portrait of
these "preachers," is thus given: "We wonder that a single
Methodist preacher, however, opposed to and prejudiced against
another body, can (the italic is your own) conscicntioasly recom-
mend the expenditure, or take any part of it for Ins own living.'*
[^Occasion and Motives of the h'xpenditure.']
Secondly, As to the Occasion and the Motives of this Expen-
diture foi the support of these "preachers," in Canada West. I
am sorry to say, that from your statement of the matter, it does
not appear that any kind of nccessiti/ existed for — nor any the least
mixture of good or justifiable motive occasioned — that sujjport.
The following are the only reasons which you can imagine to have
led to this expenditure, at least, the only ones that you assign : —
I. Foclishness, on the part of the British Conference. These
are your words : " It was an unwise step of the English Confer-
ence to begin a separate body here. However, what is done let
it pass. But to continue a tbolish act, is folly indeed." " The
Rev. Joseph Stinson, two years President of the Canada Confer-
ence, and atlectiotiately remembered by hundreds in Western
Canada ; a man of honourable principles and feelings. Had all
the preachers of his side been governed by the same generous
feelings, we believe that the present /bo/is/t collision between the
Wesleyans in Canada, would by this time have been stopped."
II. Frehidice against, and Rivalry, and Opposition to, the
Canada Conference, orx the part of "the Britisii Conference. I
again quote from your journal ; " Four years of bitter opposition
on the part of the English Conference." "We have all been
influenced by a hope that the English Conference would not con-
tinue its unjustifiable position in Upper Canada." The English
Conference bringing causeless charges against a Christian body^
whose standing ni the country they have most n'inoorildly done
their utmost to injure, prior to 1820, since October 1840, and now
^
8
continue to do." ' The English Conference fir. t took the attitude
of an assailing enemy. Aggression first began with the English
Conference in 18 10." " However opposed to, and prejudiced against
another body." "English Methodism is opposed to Canadian
Methodism, hinders it msiead of assisting it, in the great objects
of Wesleyan Methodism." "An unnecessary Ministry." Wish-
ing to keep up opposition to the original body of Methodists in thi3
country."
III. A icish on the part of the British Conference to advance the
designs of a mere Political Parti/. The following are the words
of a venerable correspondent, which words you warmly recom-
mended, and expected they would be read " with pleasure," by
all " who are interested in poor marred and broken Methodism in
Canada:" — " I am not prepared to recommend a re-union with
the British Conference. Exnerience has shown this to be inexpe-
dient and un\v'ise. Tiiey will wish to manage the various occur-
rences here, as if they had transj)ired there ; which however
would iuvolve this branch of Methodism in serious and ruinous
difficulties ; (as will be seen hy their former views and doings).
They required us to desist from our opposition to that aspiring
church, which is the Established Church in Enrrland. And had
we been guided by the policy of the British Conference in this
matter, these Provinces had been made to groan under the tyrani-
cal oppression of a lordly few, who would have secured to them-
selves every religious jjnvilege." Your own words following are
perhaps to be explained by the above extract : " Let us exchange
the love of a party, &;c.," and again, "Away with the spirit of
politics, from tlie disciples and lovers of Jesus Christ."
_^IV. Pitiful Resentment^ on the part of the British Conference,
ii nothing worse. " A Conference of a thousand strong, settaig
We&Ieyans against Wesleyans, and rearing up with vast labour
and expense a new denomination of Methodists." "Exposing
the evils of the English Conference is no proof that we ^reajrainst
the Conference, but that we wish its reformation und welfare."
"The English Conference have taken anything rather than a dig-
nified position." "The position of the English Conference m
Canada, being anything but proper and dignified, is not calculated
to produce respect any more than gratitude." " They can do
wrong, and they have done wron^, in raising up an opposition
body to the Wesleyan Methodist Church in this Province. " Even
supposing those brethren had provoked, for a large and
influential body like the English Conference, to think of revenge
was exceedingly PITIFUL, if nothing worsk."
y. An unholy sjH.it of Vain Ostentation, on the part of the
British Conference. The following is literally from the Guardian :
"Thisis paying roundly for the honour ofkeeping up an 'Establish-
ment,' in the bosom of a prosperous and influential Church, which
does not differ in any essential respect either of doctrine or discip*
line from English Wesley anism. "
[^Appeal to the Editor.^
In passing, I cannot but enquire, Mr. Editor, if, on subsequent
reflection, you have yourself become convinced of the truth of
yourovyn allegations against the British Conference ? Can you,
Kev, Sir, believe that lliese were tqb qsly — or even ANy of tbjs
4
—inducements by which they were influenced, in eendinff their
Missionaiies to Western Canada? In the last One Hundred
1( ears, has there been any precedent for such impvtatinns in any of
their Missionary operations, in any portions of the earth ? Is that
venerable body of \Vesleyan Methodist Ministers indeed cauaMe
oi bein^ actuated byKiTHKRof the base considerations which/ wi'h
so much ot unmistakeablenesH, you have here imputed to them?
Mjrelv, It the readers of the Clirbtmn Gunrdian should really
uedit these "statements" of the only ainu and motives of the
• w ^o"'ff<^"ce, in commcncincr and cnntinvimr their Missions
m Western Canada, it will be no wonder if thev regard them as a
mostfaien, corrupt, and ipjurlous body of ministers, and should
think ot hem with contempt and abhorence. They will, (as thev
may well think,) %yith -rood reason, applaud your C:ana(ia Confer-
ence Journal, fortnus " exposinu the evils of the English Confer-
ence ;" seemg you " wish its reformation and welfare !"
\_Amount of the ExpendUureJ]
J T"/'?^S^/ ^^ ^° ^'^^ ^^'"^ Amovit of the Expenditure for the
last lu-c lc«rs; you state it to be about a Hundred Thou.^^and
L»ollais. J he lollowing are the words of your journal : "We
should gladly have remained silent; but when we see a "larin«'
evil {•ommitted and likely to be persevered in, and knowin<^ thai
none will speak, it we do not, there was no alternative but to
break the silence and expose the fault." " The British Commit-
tee have ■;.\pended, during the last live years, nhonx one hmidred
thonsandiluUars, in keeping up some Twentv Mission Circuits,
wiUun the Geoirraphical limits of the Methodist Church proper
lucanacla .''7\ country o{ land-owners, commerce, andplentv."
A rate ot L vMiditure >vhich taxes the Enclish Missionurv
fcociety, about seven dollars a-year tor each member adherincr to
the British ( onference.'' " English Contributions. "' " Missmn-
arv funds of the generous Irish people." " We ,rus; all Methodists,
\vhether in W^vstern or Eastern Canada, or in England, will do
ail they can to divert British money from Canada."
iModes of raising the Funds.]
Fourthly, As to the Modes by which the Funds of this Expen-
diture are ohtaincd. These are stated, (most oilensively.) in the
iollowing language: "The Committee at honi^: send out their
agents ; and by torce of the most powerful appeals, the utmost
larthing which can be lornntr from the hard earnir gs of the poorest
classes ot English and Irish Wesleyans, is obtained for Missions ;
and ot these collections o?ie/«<?i^im/ thousand dollars in five years
have been sent to Canada, and expended in behalf of Wesleyans,
nine out of ten of v.'hom are ten times abler to pay for the gospel
than those who contribute the amount. A fine state of things
truly." " It has become a custom to excite the children of the
members and friends of the Society also to contribute their pence
—the children of the Sunday Schools are excited by the Secreta-
" w Wesleyan Missionary Society to the same conduct."
if?"^ representations are sometimes made, and even at the
last May Meeting were made in London, relative to the temporal
and spiritual condition of the people of Canada." "A burden
1
»^
I
laid OP the shoulders of persons having; more generosity thaA
knowledge of the matter." To this you ramentmnly add, '• We
wish the true state ot things could be known in Eagland."
[(StMmmari/.]
Now, Mr. Editor, in all thia there is great misrepresentation ;
grievous inisrepresentation. Your statement respecting the Cha-
racter and Principles oi' the Weblt^itn Missionaries i-^ Western
Canada, is — a "mis-statement." Your statement of the Aims
and Motives of the British Conference, in supporting them there,
is — a '■ mis-.itatcmrnt," Your statement oi' the Amount of
" English" and "Irish" money, expended by them in Western
Canada, during the last five years, is — a "mis-statement." Your
statement of the Modes by which, lo use the wordn of your Con-
ference journal, " the Committee at home," raise iheir Mi cionary
Funds, is — a ** mis-statement." And it id merely in "correction"
of these and similar " mis-statements," that I have any desire, at
present, to occupy your "columns."
Even our sccalar journals generally -play the honest gener-
osity of affording to parties who have- been misrsprescnted in.
their columns, an opportunity of being heard in their cwn defence
Jn the samr, columns. It would he lai'^ented that in the Canada
Conference, Journal, the British Cortj^.cnce should be refused the
justice, which no respeciable secular newspaper would deny to
them, or even to the liumbLst individual, that had been, by wtiat-
ever accident, unfairly and unjustly represented by them.
I agree with you, Rev. Sir, in feeling "truly sorry th?t the
Methodists are in such an unfriendly position to each other ;" and
also with yourself, " I could sacrifice a vast deal to make that
position ditferent." But, 1 beg to remind you, that yourself and
your Conference Journal have been the voluntary assailants, in this
instance : and that J am only an uxsupported dependant, exposed
not merelv to your own remarks, but to those also of your anony*
mous correspondents ; who would tain have no kind of quarter
allowed to a peaceable individual, whohas been goaded and forced
out into the arena of conflict, sorely against his own will ; " '
who has, hitherto, cheerfully forborne to use hia hea\,v'-.v
weapons ; and intends to do 3o, to the end.
[^A Feaitire of the Case.1
It is also a Feature of the Case, (and I lament that I should be
obliged to refer to it here,) that neither the Presifbnt nor the
Secretary of the Upper Canada Conference, has interposed any
public rebuke of your hostile attack jpon the British Conference !
Nor have they published any disclaimer of participation in the
above quoted sentiments on the subject, that have been promulga-*
ted by your Conference Journal ! i will not suppose that they
could not, v/ith truth, have made such a disclaimer. If, hoNvever,
that was really the case, it must be confessed that, by giving to
those statements and sentiments, the official sanction of their
official suence, they have adopted the least oi two evils.
I most cordially repeat it ; and I am anxious and ever have been,
for an honourable friendship, between our two bodies. But it will
b2
6
I?,w''T^' that where there is neither >.s<ice nor kindness exer-
eipected ' '''' ^' "° "''^ considerable measure of/H^nUsMp
I remain, Mr. Editor,
Your unwilling opponent,
W. M. HARVARD.
LETTER I.
A DEFENCE AGAINST THE ATTACKS OF THF
CANADA CONFERENCE JOURNAL UPON THF
BRITISH CONFERENCE, AND THEIR MISSION-
ARY SOCIETY. miooiu.><
" CORRECTIONS OF MIS-STATEMENTS."
"For we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to
hvehonestly.»_//ei. xiii. J8. '"uig lo
rr .1 T,^: . , Toronto, Apiil IGth, 134G.
To the Editor of the Christian Guardian.
Rev. Sir,— My former 'corrections' have had reference to
your *mis.statements' of a minor and more local and pergonal
class ; and were intended to show to your readers that fn vr m r
statements regarding the British Confe/ence,tJiey could not wiU
iSms cf r^hin f "^ ^T^'^^".'^" TheselatteLr-sla^t^tUts
th?t I wnnMfi II ^T"'"^^ ''''^^1 '"?'.^ convenient opportunity)
^lat 1 would fully disprove; and which is my present object
Therefore, this may be regarded as my first Icttlr S^ ri, ?i7/ ^
anffirSSry'St"/."^^^^' "''^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^-^-"^
,.f^/v,f'r^'?"'i ^^r-,®'""' ^S >'*'"'• attack upon the "Expenditure
Iremarf"Cirdi 7'" Missionary Society in Canada Wes"'
I remarK^ that had it been conhned to the amount of that exnpnfli-
J,r'»^;i;l?/hat alone, it would then have been (whayoSte'm
It) a little dispute about pounds, shillings, and pence "'a
question which might easily have been put to rest by an appeal to
the financial documents. But, by assuming to ascribeTon-ll^
ecTsSrvtoaSlff ^" ^^at expenditure, y?u have rendered ^
necessary to appeal to such facts of the case, as mav reasonahlv
be concluded to cast a light upon those motives * ^ reasonably
As to the amount of "British money," stated bv you to have
been expended in Canada West, and in support of an ^°ui neces^
sary ministry" there under the auspices of the BHtishConfc?-
IZ^ l^^^'^^^^^^^^^^^y^^r^,'' I have already engai
sum whf.7°" ^l""^ overstated it, at least, onc-third it xhXloU
sum which you have stated it to be. I can hardly think that there
18 a member of the Upper Canada Conference who doubts that I
2, J,^4! '^*'' ^°'°'' ^^' ""'*''' '^ '''■'"^'^ '^ '^« ^^«« /<"- « J^«««>yr, pages
dk
\ \
1 !
it may be assumed U a the SL Conf.MJ!;'"'^^ -^"^ ^•'' '^^
to believe-uad as their olLtlToui-narimsTeffirt!^^ • ^' ^^^'^^
that there s not the lea^t n.rtir.l« ^f V ■ ^^ *^ ^^ inferred—
I-. havi„p,,duced1irB;iSrc:„tf°„l^''-:=J'?,J^
to Canada West— that that mp!i^urTr.lr.„ ^^,^' "^/^s iVIissionanes
prejudiced, and and^itiou: anl'^^JlPJ^^^^^^^^^^ a
ostentatious, and nolitical \m) hn.„ i i '^P'^'^A foohsh and
temper on 'the pa'rt of the f^i'l C:n;> L"r.-^tt' ' f"' ^'^^^"1
can on y say, that I shnnld nnf K<. V 7"^'*^"cc , — then, for one, I
of suck L expenditure r. If noutnhadTan^^^^^^ ^" '^'^'^^f
than a mere " York-sixpence " amounted to no more
INO WORSE." Since vorhave b?^,in t. ^^esentment, ifnoth-
pondents to address thTuif your c!mnc= ^f ^'.^^^g.\yo"r corres-
of th, British Conference -fS/^rN.^,' ^'^^'"='^''h^^"^^"'«^«rs
[£?t77 Motives Disproved.]
Your representation of the British Conferenr^ r i. ■
their Missionaries to Canada West f.om m^.f' ^ 'j.^^^"? sent
t^«m.^ the Canada Conlrence ^im^ -n/T^"' o( Prejudice
to them, is, your readers mav be asgutll nn 1^!^ °' Opposition
to the real f/eling which tlSt bod^ has 'e?or ente tSS?^"''^^
your Provincia communitv This mav hlll^ "^4 towards
entire history of the proSingsof tKHH^^^^ ^^ S«
part of our United ptovince ^ Conference, in this
thfclnaL'cSe^tl"lU'Br?tii\&^ ^ ^'°"' *^^^? *-
"the attitude of a assaiing enemy "afvouhp-'^" never tAen
to have done; I will offer evidence in s Jonor? nf n^^T? ^^-^"^
proposition; namely, that;- P^"'^ of the following
The British Conference did not finally fat« »,. ^ .i.-...-.. .. ,
Sioif ileal position "m Canada West,"'"'''uutii';3 " "*''"'"""^^ ^^^'
\i
8
First ; They had been earnestly applied to, so to do, on the
part ot respectable landowners, and other Immigrant Settlers in
Canada West r many ot whom had been members m our Societies,
and others attendants upon our Ministry, in the Parent Land.
bKcoNDLT ; The Government had officially applied to the Eng-
lish Missionary Society, to send their Missionaries, in addition to
those oi the other Churches in Canada, to meet the growing
reiipous necessities of a rapidly increasing population.
Ihirdly; The Canada Conference Body of Methodists had
most clearly and unequivocally declared, that tlwt/ icere not able
to ineet the encreasing demand for Wesleyan Methodist ministra-
tions in this country.
Fourthly ; They had themselves, by a seven years' union with
the Canada Conference, endeavoured to render them more equal
to tiie demands of Western Canada : but that body had occasioned
the Dissolution of that Union.
Fifthly ; They were fully convinced, that a path of usefulness
opened out before them, in Western Canada, which it did no
damage to the interests of the Canada Conference, for the Parent
body to endeavour to enter and to improve ; and which they could
not have been held guiltless, if they had disregarded.
Sixthly ; I'hey had given sufficient proof to the Canada Con-
ference, that their designs in entering upon that path of duty were
perfectly unhostile ; and that their desire was to maintain relations
ot amity towards that Canadian community of Methodists ; and
indeed towards all other real Christians in the Province, of what-
ever name or nation.
I remain, Rev. Sir,
Your unwilling opponent,
W. M. HARVARD.
i
LETTER n.
4
to go into Mft.^edonia, assuredly eiitlieVin- that t!,r rZ^ ph' eavo„red
for to preach the Gospel unto them. "-Jlc7., x vi. iJ. "" "'
ToRo-TO, May 1st, 1846.
[Mlssionanj Claims of early Setllers.']
To the Editor of the Christian Ouardian.
gxven a mtle assistance to our brilS^'Halifax^^^JS^^J^
^^f V . ^ V-^ ,'^- "^ CHARITY UNDKR HKAVKN tO be fom!
pared to th,s, bnnging light to the poor heathen. eaS
Umsuaus, but who sit nevertheless in the Lgwno/thcs/JoTof
The fonnder of Methodism knew well " the heart of astrintrpr '»
morir.,n'f':.V"' ^'^ P^^'^'r"''^' '^-^ ^^^«' ^-^^^ assisted orcXf the
a n t^co n;;';^'"\'n; 'T.?r"''^r,°'' '^", ^^'--'y <^n"^^rant sutler n
n, Sllo^ . ^ ' "^ ^''^ en ightoned estimation, that class of
[Ajjplicattons from BrUish Setllers.]
For many years the British Conference were mo^t enrnectiv
besought, by early settlers in Canada West, o tun^S them w ih
feoc eties at home, and others attendants upon our ministVv and
in their widely scattered settlements, they felt i\ist I e, ftl'od ,.
m Um^tian lell-.vship. Hat their applications, excentin- m two
?1 • Hi'eld'nr; T''"' J"^-^''"'^^' '''''''''' eon.piikl uX'o-w ng'o
Mi iS f oS^^ 4f r'' '^r^r "r"'"'^*' by'Methofult
Znl Un i. • li •'' ^^''^^'^''y fi'jJ With whose General Confer-
standing. ^ "' ^'"'"' '""''^ ''' ^^"'™^ ^^' ^ f^i^^^^y ^^dol
it wl?" ^'^'^.'?'' y*""^" ^-P^ ^'^"'^^^^ became, more fully than ever
one viar "' ! r^.^^'i "^ emigrants irom the'lMother Ccfunt??. lu
one year, Ki W, (and as early as the month of June in tha
year,) upwards of Twenty Thousand persons had a, ved in he
coijntry ; one-third ot whom at least were from En Sd Ma v
iJeiaud! '""'" Methodists, as were also very nianrothcrs S
[Application from the Crown.']
With a paterual solicitude on the p;, i of the Govcrnmenf f^r
the best interests of this new nonnJHtinp nn "liT^^TPl""?.^"^' A?^
Ciaily made to our Missionary Society; to send an iucrraseTs'up^Iy
f ■.'
I
^ '
I f;
*
10
of the Missionaries of the British Conference, into that part of our
United Province.
This application (and which left the Committee most fret to
labour for the good of soulsj just in their oicmvay,) was graciously
accompanied by the unsolicited oti'er of an annual Royal Grant,
to enable them to encounter the increased "expenditure," which
the compliance with this Royal request would necessarily
involve.
Let me. Rev. Sir, enquire in what way could this be faiily
construed into a measure of " opposition" to the " preachers who
be^an their labours in 1791 ? " Tl;e truth is, that there had occur-
red a sudden and extensive enlargement of the held — and hence a
further and larger supply of labourers had become necessary.
And, to an application, such as has been thus described, what
conscientious or even rational reply could have been returned,
by the mvinagers of any Missionary Society upon earth, but that
of grateful and "immediate" compliance? The apostolical
reply will be found in the motto at the head of this letter.
\_Compliance of the Brilish Conference.']
This remarkable combination of circumstances, led the British
Conference to feel that the reason already assigned, no longer
justitied ihem in abstaining from sending their Missionaries into
that newly-enlarged field of evangelical toil. In that interesting
region, both people and Government had addressed the British
Conference an application, in the spirit of the ilIr/ct;f/''//ii'/7? ajjpeal ;
" Co?Me oi-cr into Western Canada, and help ns !" Unoilendingly
therefore, may it be added, in th .' words of the Apostolic narrative
on that occasion ; " and immediately we endeavoured to go into
Western Canada ; assuredly gathering, that the Lord halh called
us for to preach the Gospel unto them."
[InahiUty of the Canada Conference.]
But, that I may not mislead your readers, the history of that
transaction may with advantage be given in the words of the Rev.
Doctor Rykrson. And, although such a circumstance was unne-
cessary to bespeak conhdence in the statement, it is not a little
remarkable that it was made on oath, at the Kingston Assizes, in
the year 1S37, on the occasion of the Trial of a Chapel-case.
" An oath, for confirmation, is to them, an end of all strife." Doctor
E,vkrson's words are as follows : —
"Jn 1!J3:2, the VVesleyan Missionary Committee in London,
sent out the Rev. Mr. Alder, (now Doctcr A-lmkr,) as their repre-
sentative and agent, with a view to the appointment ot Missiona-
aries, among the British immigrants in various parts ot the Province.
Mr. Ai.DKR had communications fiom the Committee in London
to our Missionary Board in Toronto, which he delivered— com-
mnnicating to the Board, at the same time, the object ot hia
Mission. , , ,• •
" Our Board admitted our inability to supply the religious wants
of the country ; but stated to Mr. Alder, at grea} length, and in
writing to the Committee in London, the evils likelyjo arise from
the existence of two bodies of Methodials iu liiis Province— its
infringement of the hitherto universally-acknowledged principle,
■
4e
11
that the Wesleyan Methodists were one body, throughout the world
— and the desirableness of uniting the means and energies of the
tico Connexions, to promote the religious improvement of the
aboriginal tribeS; and new settlements of the country."
[^Rdview of th" Caje.']
The foregoing quotation from Doctor Ryerson's narrative, will
most clearly evince these four important facts, on the part of the
British Conference, viz. : —
1. That— their Missionaries were not sont, until, by the unpre-
cedented increase of the population of the Province, the demand
for ministerial labour, " the religious wants of the country" had
greatly exceeded any existing means of supplying those " wantj."
2. That — previously to the sending of a further supply of Mis-
sionary labourers to Canada West, "the Missionary Committee
sent out Doctor Aldkr as their representative and agent, with
communi ations to your Missionary Board in Toronto," and who
also, made a candid statement to that Board, of " the objects of
his Mission."
3. That— the nature of the communications from the British
Conferenco v/as so csscntiuUn peaceful and amicable, as to impress
your Board with a deep conviction of— ' the desirableness of
UNITING the means and energies of the tv.'o connexions, to promote
the religious improvement of the aboriginal tribes, and new set-
tlements of the country."
4. That—on diat occasion, instead of regarding "the means
and energies" of the British Conference to be "unnecessary,"
and " thrown away in Canada ;" (I quote your own words ;) the
Upper Canada Conference Missionary Board, (to quote from
Doctor Ryekson) "admitted their ortm inabilify to supply the
religious wants of tlie country;" and the consequently ''neces-
sary" character of— our agency in the Province.
So that, on tliis authority, n is most triumpliantly established,
and beyond tlie least shadow of a doubt, that " th'c means and
energies" of the British Conference, tccrevwst radly needed by
" the religious wants of the country." and, also, that tl;el^irent body
contemplated " the appointment of Missionaries, anioug the
British iminigrants in various parts of the Province." in tlie^spirit
oC a nwst friendly bearing towards the Canada Conference ; and
in tact with an actual " cominunicatioa" ofmost i)aciljc character,
with those successorsof the United States' Methodist " preachers,
who began their self-denying yet successful labours in Canada,
in 1791."
\_An Appeal to the Edllor.']
Is it toomuclito hope. Rev. Sir, that you will publiciv and
candidly confess the injustice that you have thus done to theBrit*
ish Conterence, in so misrepresenting their aims, and motives,
and spirit? Wdl you not, at 'east, make that atononient for the
"si/i" of falsely charging them with having come to Canada
West, with ''political propensities" (!) and ''parti/" objects,
and into a country where they were not wanted, and aie still, an
" unnecessary ministry?"
It is not indeed, denied, that the "political propensities" of your
12
own local body, and the secular and " political discussions" and
strifes, of their Conference Journal, and the deleterious influence
which these tended to diffuse among simple and unsuspecting
people, were long and sorrowfully the causes of lamentation to
the British Conference, and to many others who loved uur Zion.
They unhesitatingly and justly considered that such things were
a dishonour and a disparagement to the Canada Conference species
of Methodism, and a considerable and also incalculable hindrance
to the momentously greater and more truly Wesleyan work of
" saving souls." And, though, for all the intervening years, we
have cordially \yished|it to be forgotten, yet, since we are placed
upon the defensive, we now desire that this may be most explicitly
understood and borne in mind, '' whetlier in Western or Eastern
Canada, or in England."
But, then, at the same time, it is most obvious, (on the authority
of Doctor Rykuson,) that when the British Conferenoi, at length,
niD send their long-desired Missionaries to Western Canada, it
was both at u time when they were greatly needed, and also in
the spirit of the most real kindness to the Canada Conference.
These are facts which that body both felt and acknowledged, as
above stated. Therefore, Mr. Editor, for your Conference Journal,
" ?to?o-ffl-r/fl?/5," to attribute "hateful motives" to the British
Conference — to say that they came to the country to raise an
opposition ininistvij to your body, and in " f//e spirit of
polities'" as you have said, must be deemed, I am sorry to
have to remark it, an almost unpardonable sin ag' inst —
the truth! St. Paul,_ surely would have said, in such a case,
" Ye sin against Christ I"
\Provldenilcil Call, to Canaan, of the Missionaries
of the British Conference.^
The Call of the British Conference to Western Canada, then,
has these three following marks of ProriiLnfialitif, in it, viz. :
I. The earnest solicitations of hundreds of our beloved British
ISIembership, who desired to retain their church relation with the
Parent Body in the Mother Country : —
II. The acknowledged " mrt//«7iif//" of the Canada Conference,
"/(J snp)>ly the religious icants of the Connfri/ ;" — and
_ III. The request of the Government, that the British Mis-
sionary Committee ^^ ould furnish the additional "supjily," so
greatly needed.
It is te be hoped, Mr. Editor, that your body may be able to
produce as clear a Call to Eastern Canada, as the British Con-
ference have furnished, of theirs to fVe.-<tern Canada, ere tliey
commence tlicir long-threatened and retaliatory Mission, in tiiat
part of our United Province 1 —
\_The Union hetween the British and the Ujjper Canada
Conferences.']
By the fraternal relation of '* a Connexional Union " uith them,
the Canada Conference expressed their desire to be placed (I use
their own words) "under the Snperintendency of the Common
Parent of Methodism throughout the world, —the Wesleyan Con-
IS
I
ference." August 18, 1832 ; Signed James Richardson, Secre-
tary.
It will be admitted, that the British Conference made the most
unmistakeable demonstration of kindljr feeling towards the Canada
Conference m— forbearing to take their own separate position, in
Western Canada, under circumstances so exceedingly favourable
and even flattering; m— acceding to their proposals of Union, so
unhesitatmgly, even to the grief of not a few of their own friends,
who were not favourable to the measure ; and in— thus fraternally
identifi/ing themselves with a body cf Methodists, who had,
unhappily, so greatly damaged their own standing in the
Country, by tne party political strifes of their Conference
Journal.
[Promise to abstain from Party Politics.']
They could not, however, so far either compromiso their own
reputation, or incur the guilt of such a dogging of the " chnHot-
i/)/ieds" oi' tlie Gospel, as to enter into the proposed Uniov of the
two bodies, without the inoat solemn promise, on the part of the
Canada Conference agents, that these un-VVesIeyan and " injurious
political discussions" and strifes, in their Conference Journal,
SHOULD FOR KVER CEASK !
^ This promise was duly made! And, ultimately, at the Kingston
Contorence in lH;j4, a declaiative law was passed to t/uit effect.
This was drawn up by the pen of the Rev. E. Rvkrson, bv him sub-
mitted to the Conference, and afterwards inserted by him in the
Guardian, (of whir-li he was then the editor) with the following
jirelace, also from himself: — °
I. IOditor's Prkfack. " Whether we have at all times hereto-
fore been as cautious us becomes our station, in regard to political
aifairs, others will Judge : we have only now to reniark, at present,
that it accords alike with our inclination, and now with our
required duty, to leave the discussion of political questions of
every kind, to the columns of other journals."
II. CoNFKRKNCK Law. " Resolved, tliat the CAm/mn Guar-
dian shull not be the medium of discussinj; ptilitical questions,
nor the merits of political parties ; as it is injurious to the interests
of religion, and derogatory to our characler as a Religious Body,
to liav:,' our Church amalgamated, or identified with anv political
party."
[Spirit of Politics.']
That the Canada Conference previous to its Union with the
British Conference, had consented to be so "identiried" with a
"political party," must ever be regretted. Nor should thev be
unduly di^plensed with those whose confidence in tliem was in
some degree slvikeii in consequence. Conceding to them even
the greatest honesty of intention, it nevertheless was, (as they
afterwards, by their abandonment of that position, admitted it to
be.) an error of judgment. -'We are not ignorant of Satan's
devices. " St. Paui, felt ihat many things were " lawful," which
were, to lum-elf, " not expedient. " A' Church for all, must not
be the creature of a rarty. Fallen hnnmn natmc needs no addi'
tional prejudices against divine realities; and for a Church to em-
bark in angry political controver,sies, is to create auoinented and
14
needless antipathies against her religious agency. With that em-
inent Apostle it was a powerful motive of conduct: "Lest we
should hinder the Gospel of Christ."
On the part of the Canada Conference, these " discussions" of
political party strifes, so "derogatory" to their *' character as a
relii'^ious body," while they served the purposes of a " party," yet
greatly limited their own influence for good ; and it is to be feared,
m some cases, to the eternal undoing of immortal souls ! Had
any secular advantages been gained to the body, by a Methodist
course so un-Wesleyan, an Israelite would have said, " It is not
lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is— the price
of blood !"
The coming, however, into the Canadian field of the *' Com-
mon Parent ofMethodism in the world, the Wesleyan Conference,"
tended, very helpfully, to awaken up the Canada Conference from
their political identillcations, as from an ensnaring dream. Hap-
pily and providentially, as a Church, they became thereby divor-
ced from those political purposes and connexions which, in a few
short years, might have effectuated their entire overthrow, "as a
religious body." And f jr the Union, on that account, many of
their best ministers and members, have devoutly blessed and
J raised the Most High I I beg to invite the attention of the Rev.
jZra Adams, to tiiese three last paragraphs ; and with the sin-
certst respect for him, personally. So much, for the present, for
"the spirit of politics" motive, that you have attributed to the
British Conference. Surely the Guardian should be the last
" organ" in the world, that should sound that note !
[^Defence of the Union.^
That the Union was productive of the most important advanta-
ges, to the Canada Conference and Church, may (in their indi-
vidual capacity,) very possibly and very sincerely, be denied by
Mr. Adams, and those who thmk vvith him. To such dc7iial,
however. 1 regret that you, Rov. Sir, have given tue sanction of
your Conference Journal, in your recommendation of what you
term his " truly Christian" expression of sentiment. You, Mr.
Editor, may now reprobate the Union, in his " truly Christian"
style, of undesigned mis-statement ; and, with that venerable
minister, may untruly say, " Experience has proved it to be both
unwise and inexpedient.^^ You may speak of the influence of the
British conference upon your body as adapted to be most " ruin-
ous P^ (another word from Mr. Adams;) nwd you may seem to
have a plenitude of forth coming proof, by adding (again from
Mr. Adams,) "as maybe seen from their former views and
doings !" But, while the Union was yet in operation, the Can-
ada Conference themselves, made statements to the British Con-
ference, on that subject, most widely different from these I We
will hear their own icords : —
I» October ^y 1833 :—" Very dear Fathers and Brethren : Most
gratefully do we acknowledge your Parcniil and affectionate
reply. We do rejoice that a foundation is thuo hnrmoniously laid
for the permanent unity of Methodism, and the indefinite exten-
sion of the worK of God mi British North America. We f^el it in
our hearts to attend to yoor parental advice, &lc., to guard our
I
t
15
congregations against a secular and political party-spirit, to "live
peaceably with all men," and " perfecting holiness in the fear of
the Lord," &c. Believing that this negotiation has been
commenced, conducted, and completed, under the smiling appro-
bation of God our Saviour." Signed, Egerton Ryerson,
{Secretary.
II. June 20, 1834 : — " We gladly avail ourselves of this occasion
to renew our assurances of respect and aflection, and of the
satisfaction we feel, and of the advantage which we doubt not will
arise, from the present oneness of the British and Canadian
Connexions, and the intercourse which has commenced between
us ; and which we devoutly hope will continue to cement us into
"one spirit," "as well as sentiment." Signed, James Richardson,
f<ecrctarij.
III. June 16, 1835 : — *' We believe there is an improved spirit of
union and pious liberality in our Societies generally. Our Mis-
sionary collections and subscriptions amount to much r"ore, and
there IS an encouraging prospect that they will be cor !''■ rably
increased." Signed, Egerton Ryerson, Secretary.
TV. June 22, 1836 :— " The general stat^' of our finances is
more flattering than at any forr,ver period. And we believe that
Wesleyan Methodism never s^tood higher in the estimation of the
intelligent and worthy part of the Community in the Country (!)
than at present." Signed, Ephraim Evans, Secretary.
V. Jwnc 22, 1839; one year previous to the Dissolution of the
Union : — " There has been an increase in our Missionary collec-
tions, during the year, and ia all our Connexional Fundfs. And
never (!) as a whole, were our Societies more established and
vnited, than at the present time !" Signed, Egerton Kyerson,
Secretary.
[Mean very little, or J^otliing.']
These ouotations are made to show that (on the supposition that
the Canada Conference really meantwhat they have said, as above,)
the paternal "superintendence of the Weslej'^an Conference,"
had by God's blessing upon the Union, exercised a most obser-
vable and felicitous influence both upon the character and
circumstances of the Methodism of the Canada Conference. I
humbly submit, that these quotations p'-ove this ; whatever the
Rev. Ezra Adams and the Canada Conference Journal, now may
alledge to the contrary, notwithstanding.
It never occurred to my mind, that, in their Annual Addresses
to the British Conference, the Canada Conference made any
statement or professions, but in the utmost sincerity and good
faith ; fully intending to express the sentiments usually understood
to be conveyed, by the words that wer«. used on those occasions.
You have, however, published an extrLCt of a letter from a Cor-
respondent, whom you designate "one of our friends," which
places this matter somewhat in doubt. Will youj Rev. Sir,
inform your readers, whether this "friend" of yours, is a member
of the Canada Conference, or not ; that we may judge as to his
IcThOii^i.p.d.fTfi. of Co**i fprence nolicv ?
The following is literally copied from the Guardian oi March
the Uth ;— •' Mr. H, proves to a demonstration, that the two
16
bodies were once on good terms, and, at every sitting of Confer-
ence exchanged sundry civilities and compliments: which in
such cases, we all know, often means very little or nothing— about
the same as ' your humble servant,' at the foot of a letter '"
On behalf of the Canada Conference, I beg to deny this anti-
nomian imputation ; until you, Mr. Editor, present us with some
explicit declaration of their insincerity.
In the meantime, I shall rely upon these quotations, in proof of
iny assertion, net onlv that the British and Canadian Conferences
^^were once on good terms," but also, that the former have
never taken the attitude of an assailing enemy," to the latter, as
you have aisserted them to have done.
I remain, Rev. Sir,
Your unwilling opponent,
W. M. HARVARD.
**»
er-
m
out
iti-
me
tof
ces
ive
aa
*4
LBTTER III.
" Have I committed ,tn offence in aljasinij myself that ye might he
exulted, because I have preached to you the Gospel of God freely?
I robbed other rhurcbes, taking wa^es of them, to do you service."
— 2 Corinthians xi. 7-8.
Toronto, May 16th, 1846.
To the Editor of the Christian Guardian.
Rkv. Sir,— I resume ir.y course of can<lid and righteous defence
of the British Conference operations i i Western Canada.
[" Means and Energies'^ iv/iich marked the Urtion.']
The proposed alliance was formed, avowed, cherished, and
acted upon. The previously-occupied Mission-stations of the
English VVesleyan Missionary Society were given up, and merged
in the Canada Conference Community. All our British member-
ship and connexions, were urged, on arriving in Canada West, to
seek Christian fellowship within the borders of that Provincial
communion. And its interests were mcst heartily cherishod.
Which of the articles of the Union, Rev. Sir, have the British
Conference ever been charged with violating, or even with .evad-
ing? They cheerfully surrendered to the Canada Conf rence the
annual expending of their Government Grant ; adding stil' more
to it, to reader it the more ecjual to their pressing local nece ties,
and at the most pressing solicitation of that Coiiference.
The British Conterence appointed from England, a talented
Superintendent of Canadian Missions, who resided several years
in the Province, in consequence, and with no small degree of
advantage to that department: the Bev. Joseph Stinsun. The
venerable Mars'len, and the departed Grindnul, and the indefati-
fable Lord; (the two former in comparatively advanced life, both
onoured E.c- Presidents of the British Conference ,) all of them at
the request of their brethren in Englanci, sojourned in Canada,
for the purpose of presiding in the Provincial Conference, and in
other respects promoting the welfare of that newly and fondJy-
adopted Methodist brotherhood.
In the same good cause, three voyages to Canada were
performed by the Rev. Robef{t Alder, D. D., one of the general
Secretaries of the English Wesleyan Missionary Society. Most
flattering were the words of the Cmada ContVrence, in relation
to the services of that respected Minister. They designate him,
in lfi39, as "an old and honoured friend," and m 183J, as " ai
excellent and esteemed bene factor V
The Rex. Matthew Lang, was a truly valuable loan to the
Canada Conference, to aid them in their Book- Room Department ;
and whose services were gratefully acknowledged. The Rev.
MxTFHEW RicHEY, M. A., was Spared to them as their Piinci-
pal of Victoria College, then the-Upper Canada Acad< my'. His
talents and services were eulogised by the Canada Confererc^.
And, in the early and almost destructive pecuniary difficulties
c2
f
19
of that " atrictiv-religious" establishment, Mr. President Lord,
had rendered them the most essential and oppressive!) -anxious
services ; which were duly complimented with Conferential
thanks.
Most of these services, Mr. Editor, and others, besides, were
rendered by agents supported by the British Confe>cnce : and vriih-
oiU a single farthing of expense to the funds of the Canada
Conference. " Aib^it,** those funds were bij no means inconsid-
erably improtcd, by tiie multifarious services of those British
Conference agents. And -his course of unpurchased endeavour,
continued, without inter *uption,^br the space o/" seven ykars '
How FAITHFULLY it was done, on the part of the British Confer-
ence, and that of their reverend agents in this country, (to use the
words of an inspired Apostle,) ^* God is witness !'' Their record
is on high !
[Monument of Disinterested Fraternal Affectior,.]
The Thousands of Miles, which thus have been travelled by
the members of th? now reviled and assar-lted British Conference,
in the service of Canadian Methodism, loth by sea and by land—
the Thoiisands of Dollars, which have been, ' by the now malig-
ned '* English Wesleyan Missionary Society," expended upon
the advancement of its truly-loved, and dearly-cherished interests
— the vast amount of personal inconvenience and suffering, both
r -ntal and physical, which has been en^/?^, erf, by the British agents
ill this enterprise — iheinroads that were made in consequence,
upon the comfort of their immediate families ; some of whom
wt e thereby divided asunder from each other, never more to
eijoy <he solace of intercourse together again, until thev meet in
ti,' eternal world !— the tears which have been shed, and the sighs
which Dave been uttered— in this "their work cf faith and labour
of love,"— all taken together, will form, on behalf of the British
Conference, a noble monument of disinterested fraternal affection,
towards the Canada Conference, on which angels may smile,
with cordial approval ! A monument, loo, of a character, such
as will not be often reared, in this state of human imperfection
and infirmity, by Ecclesiastical Bodies, in the behalf oi each
other !
It will be deemed a strange and melancholy perversion of lan-
guage, to speak of the conduct of such a body of Christians, as
being revengeful and "pitiful." You surely, Mr. Editor, will
not deny your own words following : " For a large and influential
body, like the Eiigi:s,h Crmference, to think of revenge, was
exceedingly pitifn!, if i>,oihing woi ». ---GMa7Y/i«n, November
19th, 1845. Tc i. . ;aa: the periodical organ of the Canada
Conference, is employed thus to *'misrepresknt" their British
" Bknefactors," as be=-g their bittkrest enemies ; and hav-
ing .sent their Missionaries to Canada West, merely to maintain
A. WORK OF RANCOROUS OPPOSITION AGAINST THEIR BOUr, is, (I
lament to say it,) a fearful fact ; and one of most affecting and
humiliating complexion I
t'An Objection against the British Conference.]
— - - e.' J
Agt-inst the British Conference it has been attempted to be m<»de-
-i.
TO
-i.
sn objection, that tlic Governnieat did condescend io encourage
our operations in Canada W?st.
The obj-^ctors, (yourself, Mr. Editor, among the refi,) s.i, , that
such encouragement was the m .e endeavour of a political " Es-
tablished Church !" party, (and who hated both descriptions of
Methodists,) to set tnem' one against the other, that thusi thev
might destroy one another ! It is believed ihat many estimable
members of your body entertain those views. Nor is it wondered
that they should, since their ministers teach them so to thmk of
the Government. In your very lar ' number, you seem to be anx-
ious to produce the same impression. And that opinion wai in so
many words, i'xprcssed by a friendly minister of the Canada
Conference to myself; and most seriously, not many weeks ago.
It is to be lamented that such an impression— one- so erroneous,
and, to the views of the GovernmerJ, so grossly nngenerous
should have been originated by any one ; and especially thul they
should have been propaj^^ated by any i u.. ^bcr or members of the
Canada Conference ; and delibcratelif sfinrtio'icd by the lant num-
ber of your Canada Conference Journal ! lia: to this rcmnrhaUe
remark, I would briefly reply, by asking the tiiree fullovving
ouestion" ; —
Quistlon Fm,t. Did the Government wish to 1. p the British
Conference from uniting with the Canadian Con't-icnce in 183',\
or did they concur in the amicable union of the two jodies with
each other ?
Answer I'irst. It the honour of the slandered Government, be
it evei known by all men, that th • Colonial and the Jlome Gov-
ernment did most cordially concur in the Union between the
Biiti^h and ih-- Upper Canada Conference.
Answer ^cr.ond. _ For the " Seven Yea' 3" of the Union, the
Governinon*. continued to demonstrate that coiicunence, bv
continuing to pay, to the Treasurer of the English Missionary
Society, the Royal Annual Grant, by which they had previoutjly
urged that body to augment the number of their AJissionaries in
Canada West.
Question Second- In whac way, having this encouragement of
the Government, did the Briiiph Conference endeavour to
"destroy," or as you 'jxpress it '-retard" the Methodism of the
Canada Conference ?
Answer. By laboriously improving its (Character, efficiency,
and resources, "as a Keligim/s Body;" (!^ by contributing ati
Annual Donation to their Canadian Missionary Fund, of One
Thousand Pounds Ste;ling ; and by expending, altoge;her, durino-
the Union, upwards of F^itty Thousand Dollars, upon the interests
of Methodism in Canada West I
Question Third. How does the Canada Confe^'ence themselves
speak of the British Conferfiice, anc the results of their Union'
with them ? Did they tind the Connexion with that body to be so
very destrnc" ^ to their interests ?
Ansicer. ' .lese are their own words. On such an occasion,
they may /ell be repeated. They say, (in 1833,) ""We
rejoice that a foundation is thus laid for die permanent
unity of Methodism, and the indefinite extension of the work of
Gor^ in Rrirish IVni-fh Ampripn" Tn IRI^ . »< TA/,
..!,. Ji__
uvaii
ourselves of this occasion, to renew our assurances of respect and
affection, and of the satisfiaction we feelj and of the p^dvantage»
20
which we doubt not will arise, from ihe present oneness of the
British and Canadian Connexions." In 1835: "There is an
improved spirit of union, and pious liberality in our Societies
generally. Our Missionary collections and subscriptions amount
to much more, and there is an encouraging prospect that they will
be still increased." In 18.3(i ; " The state of our Finances is more
tlatteiing than at any former period. Methodism nev <r stood
higher than at present." Jn 183!) : " Increase in Missionary collec-
tions, and in all our Connexional Funds. And never ware our Soci-
eties more established and^nited, ( !} than ai the present time." ( !}
[Defence of the Government Invitation.']
This answer may render any " CJirisncu" ashamed to charge
the Government with an evil design, in th^i RoifutiniUation that
they condescended to give the Missionaries of the British Confer-
ence, to promote the best interests of the people of Canada
This " an.5vver," may also be a satisfactory memorial, (for
those ic/io 111111/ l)e IkiMc to forget the fact!) that when " the Wes-
leyan Conference" lirst consented to receive the Canada Confer-
ence under their "superintendence," both that Provincial JJody
and Its aftairs, were certainly capabtc of some considerabtc degrees
ot imjtrorcirievt I
It evinces beside.^, that the Canada Conference owes to the
British Government iheir best thanks, for having invited into the
Trovince, that "Common Parent of Methodism throu«^lioul the'
world— the IVeslci/an Corfercnce." (!J
[The Position of the British Conference, owing to the
Union.]
Thoir Divine Call to lal)our in Canada West, imposed upon the
British Conleience a re.^ponsibiiiiv, that they could not have
transferred to any other Body of ^ieihodists, but tuch as world
engage to "walk hif the same ride, U)7/iiuJ the same thing," with
themselves. When, therefore, the Ci<nada ConCeienee applied to
be received V7i(ler their sirpcrintdidcncr, they could at once unite
with the.se their Canadian biethien, and, at the ?ame time, "'work
flic worfiof the Lord," in the ?ame way in which, from the begin-
ning, they had been instrueted to "work," by the instrumentality
of our venerable Wk.slky !
If we may borrow an idea from the commercial world, tht^
iMox thus placed the British Conference, as to the Provincial
body, in the relation of a merchant, carrying out a great tia(lin<r
Iinncij le ; M-ho, with that view, breaking up his own individual
establi.shir ent, had ca.si a portion of his " means and ener-
gies" into a partaer.^hip-concerr, (hat he had b-n solicited (on
his own great principle,) to take under his " superintendency."
Clearly, in the event of a dissolution of the partnershij., such
siiperiiH<:ndent partner, would justly have a clai'ii to a portion of
the ccmmnii stock ! This he would claim, on the ground, first,
of the estabh.shinent given up t'< promote the partnership-concern,
and secondly, the capital fran.sferred to it, the principle introduced
into it, and the labour bestowed upon it. And. thirdly, if it could
be showu that certain connexions had been formed, from personal
\'
%
21
regard fo himself, during the partnership, he surely would iu.^trv
De entitled to some considerable consideration, on retiring from the
nrm, on tnat account also.
In order to become a party to the Union, the Briti.^h Conference,
broke up their existing Mission Stations in Canada West-sacri-
nced their own denominational interests-transferred their money
lo tne L^inada Conierence funds, and their membership to t'ae
Vanacla Conference communion— drew around the Canada Con-
leicnce their own pecuhar connexions— and initiated them mto
tueir own principles of ecclesiastical njanofrpment.
Ill tlie judgment of all dmr-hemfed ^mf right- hearted men, it
will be pionounced to have been a iciLd scheme, (and as icicked as
It \ as wild,) to think of a Dissolution of the Union, without
contemphiting the just claims of that party, under whose labori-
ous, and expensive, and self denying, and salutary, "supkri.v-
TfcMM. fcK. t^lie sacred partnersliip-concern, had been both placed
ana prosi)ered I
\_Tlie Dissolution of the Union.]
The aim of certain parties has been, to throw upon the British
Conierence the biame of breaking up the fraternal relation of the
two Connexions. And, indeed, no one need be anxious to bear
tne responsibi ity of that measure ! ! The Union had worked
remarkably well ; and promised fair to be a trreat blessing not only
to Canada, out to the JJritish American Provinces in general.
And, indeed, it is not easy to say what might have been the
extent ot the spreading benehts of its continuance. Its Dissolu-
tion may probably be overruled for good ! But it is an occurrence
over which a thoughtful Christian, may well sigh, and be
sad I ; — ■' o )
The Canadian Conference thus cast the entire onus, upon the
British Conference : "That this Conference protests against the
Methoflistic or legal right or power of the Conference in England,
to dissolve, of Its own accord, articles and oblieations which have
been entered into with this Conference, by 'mutual consent."
{Mmutes, 1840.)
Let not any pious and valuable individual of your body, believe
that J am actuated by any " ill-icill," against yonr community,
because 1 shall endeavour to demonstrate that— of the Dissolution
—the Canada Conference themselves were the firal oriirinators,
and the principal, and persevering, and determined, ancTeventu-
ally su'^cesslu 1, ;^7-omo^ers and authors! This I shall show, in
my next letter.
I remain, Mr. Editor,
Your unwilling opponent,
W. M. IIARVARa
LETTER IV.
"For if thpv had heen of us, they would no doubt have continued
with us ; l)ut tney went out, ihnt they might be made manifest that
they were not all oi us."— 1 John ii. J9.
Toronto, June 20, 1846.
IThe Canada Conference, the Authors of the Dissolu-
tion of the Union.]
To the Editor of the Christian Guardian.
Rjjv. ANo Dkar Sir,— Those to whom I am not entirely a
stranger, will understand how painful to me must be the duty, (in de-
fending the British Conference from unjust allegation and reproach,)
to have to make references to other persons, which may probably
occasion to them any painful reminiscences. The onrnsiou however
demands that 1 should place before your readers, what 1 believe
to have been the genuine truth of this matter. With motives I do
not now mterfere.
Even so early as the fourth year of the Union, discerning per-
sons foretold, that the same leading members of the Canada
Conference who haa promoted its formation, v^'ere only awaiting
some favourable opportunity of arcomplishing its Dissolution.
I here are mdividuals of respectability to whom I can appeal, and
who luiow v/ell that I was for a long time, and most obstinately,
oiherwise persuaded.
Imniediately preceding the Toronto Conference in 1837, the
Kev. Egerton (now Doctor) Ryerson returned from England, and
was elected Secretary. One of his first acts was to propose a
series of resolutions, on the subject of " Government Grants for
itdiQiovs Parposes." In these the Government Grant to our
MisHionarv Committee was particularly mentioned, and a decla-
ration made that such grants " have proved varously prejudicial
to the peace and tranquillity of the Province !" The result of this
was— that the payment of said Grant was for some time suspen-
* NoTE—In the Christian Guardian, for July 1, 1846, Doctor
KYKKsoN has endeavoured to shake the ronfidence o^ the reader in
the truth of this statement ; which ihc.etore, the writer is houn ' to
vent" and to suhstHntiate, 'j'he Doctor's words are : <«The only
o.' Mr. Harvard's multitudinous statements which 1 feel it my
duty to notice is ihus stated l.y \ imstlf." TliPn follows, the forego-
ing pnraL'raph ; on which Dr. Rykrson remarks as follows : «' It is
difhcidt to conceive a statement more mischievous, more unjust, and
more unfounded, than this. In t.ie first place, the Resolutions were
in no respect affecting the Grant to the London Missionary Commit-
tee. In the next place, these Resolutions never caused (he suspen-
sion of the payment of that Grant. Nor was the navment of th"*
Grant ever suspended, after the passing of those Resoluiions, until it
23
It will readily be admitted that there was nc in the ArUoU^ ^
Union any distinct prohibition against any damLlnl ;S'^"^'^? °^
Had any counter-resolutions to these been bv ar.v «mo r> j
to the Conference, they would at least hnLP ?' '^'^P°^*'^
Indulgence from the cha^rT but the prmted Mmu't^s %'" ' 'T"^
euce record that they were '-paslelaZn^ltll^T "* ^"''^^^"
grKs^sjit^iSn^^
Grant more particularly belonged, rose and stated fiL 1? ^
exnressioii ofnninlnn /n fi,.^.f„. L-.K^*^"" stated, that such an
produced amos, it'iX.Jan'd X"w i„,p"f„Sr„Zr,,,^''"'!!
and heart of Mr. St,„s«k, „ ,„ inmgnZlv r« i^l.T ■ n?l "'''.'^
considerab e emolioii, "You •.li.)iil,n..v„ •/■',.! .■ ""'>
MJ^-:riru^^
gS^^orlLS^^^
i^entl V ;i?"'n '"^ ^'^'", *-^^^^ ^"•-••^>-^«^-/ that mca u'r ' were Zm.
! ently the movers on this memorable occasion. The bias oC^
leading men will not therefore be misappreliended. '°"^
Certainly irom that moment, the hectic tiu'^h annenrprl in fl.«
face of our Canada Conleronce atiairs, v4ich niil t h.w.^ ^
interpreted as the unfailing <na^nosls o(lv^^icS^e.t'J!T
fearful precursor of approuchiHg 'W;/^^s.Z.W" ' ''"'^ '^^'^
It is known that the Canada Conference had at tlieir t^.yn n.^ •
annual ineetmgs, fully exonerated therns Ivlf ilo'n a^V^ aZ^
pation m Governrnent " Grants ior religious pu poseT-^' ^tlnr'.
had any reason s: II existed for further disclainuis the ur-^er cv J^"
the case was not so extremely o-ivit aa t.^ ,! "'e uigency ot
previoiis confidential j;n;Sn!LS.n ^-iS ^^'"11^^^:!^, '''' ^
dear Fathers and Brethren" in England on the subject A T '^
relation of f.alernnl union would seem .o diclr^i, * a ^-our f
before thu.^ placing their (iovernment Grant m.rh.r fll ^//^Lirse,
Soenlnely .he ,',.ve,«e ol ll,ef"o,ril,o "4 ,,,''*'■,''' '"'""•
..,o»„'tS ,re e<; L'ii;'r.;;!c^:, l'i;r.hlr St:.;: r.:;i:, '■'■*' '■"
o..,?r r:a!:;'e,tr "'7';::/":%",:: "Ve';;-5:;,f ;;,"",r r r,r-"
24
Had the Canada Conference previously addresaeH th^ TirU- u
Conference, then about to hold its Ses4on in f ht .n c^^
weeks-had they stated that their Grant wLsanTnin-v f?^h^ ""^ ^'"^
try, requesting them to abandon iuanTofferni" on /h*"- '°""'
cheerfully to .acritice its amount, ou of tL an, uaf O^'^ ^^'-' ^^^^
pouuds sterling that they themselves recliZiforn^^^^^^^
At the H«//ii/i?o?i Conference, tivo years after nn n r«i»^ .
from DocTOK Ai.i.kk, these ot fensive e«oConswo,. '■'"??
«u.ne of those .who attended that Conf^re ce leheld n/fr''"^'
even then gusp.u.^ for existence, and evid eUy 1',^ |a f , ' oof
a consumption. It mio ht have been w..ll it^ . ■ ''^^f .•^'■'J^ f'l
been sulhiiently c.ndid tX^e ^Sl.^^!^ even thc^r'afn '"'/
to the IJntish ('onCerenee, "Our interpltl ni- w • f'^'n, and said
are dHierent. Let us dis^lv^^VC"^ iexi^n'^^l^ll'ilffjr
.ome andman:ta.n an alliance less intimate In ^,weco;du,|:
which wdl be both n^ore p ea.'^ant and mm-^ .„•,.;•. 1 "" '
agree to dillbr: be ' distinJt as the ^ii:!^^/^ ^t s^^ /^^
[Endeavour to perpduafe the Union hij the British
Agents.]
In the course of the preceding year, (he Rev. Me^^^r^ SriN-cnv
and llicm.y were eonsuUed by ilis F\-r,^'!,.n,.,7 , %^ "'^
General upon the long-agitateS qtstm^'^; 2^1 fei^^r
united body, that it should be ^SS^i'^avui^'l ""V'^f"
approprnxle tons should be given\o 1 \\eVn M.'tl, !i ^1'
w 10 are no^ . and who may hereafter be conn^e J with e'jB h'
ibh Coiiferei -e. I mention t h Ls to show flnf thpcoV' • .
most fully al.ve to the lact that the Dis o i 0,1 nf' th "r '■'" '"^'''^
fully determined upon, by the lea Lrs of 1 1 f'l? •'V^'",'"" "'^'^
Still, they knew that not a flnv of the ni?4fc5.H^ C onierence.
Church were stron<r|y desirc.js ot , r ./ ,m - "''."'^^'^Tr" '''^
and they gave this v.^ In 1 ei^ pr^f" J^ , ^^J" '^l ^'"^ ^. "'"^' •
determination to preserve the 'anll^' ''"''' "^ '^ ^'^'■'^"•^' and
[The Crisis of the Dissolution.']
During the same
It was also diseovetvd th=n he See^,.u7 o hIp r '"j^^'^^'^"""-
out any c.Jm.nu.ieation wilh M,e l^. s;'cm.fW;";oMl e!'' "'"r
\
'i
ua
ily iut
ercoiirse.
=f<'r was in habits ut
25
In this additional and greater infringement upon the understood
principles ot a Connexional Union between two religious bodies,
not only were the Canadian Agents of the British Conference kept
in tiie dark as to the injury which was thus attempted upon their
Missionary 1 reasury : but, in corresponding at ail with the Gov-
emtnent on such a subject, without the knowledge of the President
01 tne t^anada Conterence, that ecclesiasticai functionary was,
by llie feecrotary virtually and practically superseded in the prero'
gative ot his higii aud responsible office. The President Wiis the
Kepresentative of the British Conference, and ex-officio Chairman
ot the Conunittee for guarding the Privileges of the Provincial
t"^ ; and ought, of course to have been consulted.
It has been observed that the British Conference and their Can-
adian agents were not punctilious, as regards these wayward
pioceed.nos of their Canada Conference brethren, with respect to
tlKMnselves and thcnr individual interests On these additional and
multiplying grounds of dissatislaction, complaints were oflicially
forvvarded to the Belleville Conference, in June 1840. Unhapp v^
a I tne complaints had to be preferred nuainst the same individual,
■,u.' ,H''^^^"»' r^VERsoN ; whom the Canada Conference not-
withstanding acquitted of all blame.* ni^ituct noi
Tlie accused Secretary and his brother, the Rev. Wm. Uxmsos
were appointeu asa Deputation to the ensuing Briti-sh Combrence'
avowedly w.tl, the twofold obj.ct of justifying his r-ours" to "hat
in'^'.r ! f^^'y? ^^•""^^■'S fii-^m of their desiie to maintain the Union
inv.olnt., (to quote flieir own words,) "the pleasure and profit
('hriihn n^'.rtr''/r^'-r"''''''^ V^^c/to./.s., (/) la the true spi'rit of
l^nristian and iMothodistic unity and love."
ft was foretold that yhe De/jutafwn'' would break up tlie
Union ,• and it was stated that a coirespondence had br-en previ-
ously going on with that view. The Rev. Wm. Rykrson had
been a remctanr party to the Union from the beginnincr. This is
well known; and is mentioned but .'^s an important "part of' the
case. 1 do not, Rev Sir, blame these ministers, for diilikinc! ,1 e
union, or forcing on the dissolution. They were fully at liberly to
I'll"''; u " .T '='""';'^^" /'-"i^f' having done so, they did not man-
fully take on theinselves all the responsibility of their own measure ;
* rVoTE : Exrmrted from, the " Documents," &e.. of the Brilish
Conf.,.rem-e - Ti,o f, low,n. Ke,„h,t:on on this subject had I.een
proposed ar. th« llulevdLa Upper Canada Conference, and lost hy a
\cry lar^e majority :— » j- »
.f 'r''\'k ^t^' Conference has heard wilh sreal surprise and regret.
SL™"" r^'''"" Kyerson s attempt to deprive • he British Wesleyaa
Missionary Commiuee of the Annual Grant received l.y , hem from
he imperial Government, to ena^^ie them to extend their Missions in
teorrTorSrir^^'^'"' ^'"^ u'terlyrepnd,a.es„ch proceedings o
uJT. . V'u"' r' "' y r '^^«-^">^'r "'"i «>nauthorisedt l.ut
dire,'tly oppose, to a Resolution adopted hy Uus t'onterence at its last
ession, rescinding the second, fifth, and sixth Ilesohnons passed
by this Conference m June 1837, on the snhje.^t of the Grant in
question, l>ecause those Resolutions were represented by ^Ir. Alder
as interfering will, the usages of the Bnlish brethren, and calcuUled
maler!.-.!!y to retard ibeir uUercsis.' " i u v-a lUMieu
26
and also that they did not honourably make a suitable "adjust-
ment, at the time, that others might not be damaged thereby.
It IS painful to have to relate, that after very lengthened com-
munications ^before the British Conference, thai body could
not feel satisfied with the explanations offered by the Deputation.
Ihey however gave proof demonstrable of their desire to preserve
the relation of Union ; by only requiring, as the condition of its
perpetuation, a rather more detailed and stringent bond against
tuture eccentricities and contrarieties, as it respected oneness of
ecclesiastical character, in the two contracting parties. To reca-
pitulate as concisely as possible the provisions of that condition •
they were : — '
Firstly. That the Conference Journal and publications should
fas already repeatedli/ promised J be of a strictly relicious and
literary character. ^
Secondly. The Secretary, having stated that the Govern-
ment had misunderstood him as desiring to interfere with the
British Conference Grant, that he should himself make that
statement to the Government, and defend its payment to the Parent
body.
Thirdly. That the Conference publication^! should invariably
maintain the same principles which distinguish the Parent body in
all other parts of the world ; and especially should defend the prin-
ciple, that it is the diiti/ of Civil Governments to emplov their
influence and a portion of iheir resources, for the support' of the
Christian Rcli<rion.
The proposing of these additional conditions of Union, on the
part of the British Coiilerence, appeared favourable to the project
of Dissolution. Instead of regarding it possible that the Canada
Conference would agree to them, the Deputation at once pronoun-
ced that the body they represented would no^ fail to regard these
conditions as a virtual Dissolution of the Union. And, the Disso-
lution became the immediate result. What could the British
Conference do more, after the very emhodi/mc.it cf the Canada
Conj-ermce, had given their final decision? On their return to
Canada., that decision was confirmed by that body I
[Suhseqiieni Sijmploms.']
I have thus traced the mournful matter from its public com-
mencement to its public coriclut-ion ; but, as a conkiuaution of
MY CONVICTION, that the Dissolution was essentially a Canada
Conference measii ?, I would mention that— the idea of a re-union
with the Britisli Conference has nerer ance been mentioned in the
Conference Journal, since that day, but t^ bo reprobated ;— that
it has been over and over declared that nothing would satisfy that
body but the entire withdrawment of the British Conference
Agency from this large and extending Colony ; that the Canada
Confcrcrice .Tournal has often during the past six years, nio^t
unworthily misrepresented— and unrelentingly maligned- us and
our motives, and endeavoured to excite the public indignation
against us; and, that— from the recent uniform edition'' of (he
IMmutes of their v.onferences, t!ie proposals of Union from ihe'r
body in 1832, have been omitted and expunged, as a document
■ i
1
I
27
which they wish to have forever forgotten ! They will stand
however, in the Minutes of the Britisli Conference, as one item
ot proof tnat the Union was not, by that body, either in the end
regretted, or durmcr its continuance violated, or at its commence'
ment proposed ! To the Canada Conference exclusively and aUke
belong— the proposal, the violation, and the dissolution of the
Union !
[Refusal of an amicable "adjustment'' (!) at the
Dissolution.]
It is affecting to behold, m the Minutes of the British Conference
tliat year, the tender eohcitude of that venerable body for such p
termination of their fraternal relation with the Canada Conference
as might prevent any hostile " collision" between their respective
Canadian communities. 1 would very respectfully invite the Rev.
Messrs. Bevitt and Biggar, the President and Secretary of vour
recent Conference, to read those Minutes, and ask their own con-
sciences 1 , in their " Annual Address" this year, they have done
justice to the British Conference, in implying that that body is impla-
cable, and unfavourable to " ati adjustment of ditl'erences ?'- I pub-
licly ask those olhcial ministers to acknowledge in their Conference
Journal, as a debt of justice to that parent body-that it was the
British Conference who m 1C40, appointed a Committee for the
adjustment of diflerences," and it was their Provincial Confer-
ence, in the persons of their own Deputation, who alone refused to
become parties to any " adjustment," at that time !
xiic Deputatioti assigned the following reason for not attending
tlie Conference Committee of adjustment,—" We rerrret that it ia
not in our power to meet your sub-committee, as we have taken
and paid our passage on board of the Bri/l.k Queen, which departs
\u n V J7^ "r" ^^"^ 'r^\ ^^' .September." Jn the previous year
the British Conference had invited the Canada Conference to send
a re|)resentative, with the view of perpetuating the Union, or
should that be found impracticable, for the pui .ose of makin-^
such arrangements as may prevent unseemlv and unchristian col"
1 isions between niendir rs of two divisions of th'e same crvoni family "
in iheir reply, the Canada (inference stated, that tfey send their
Deputation to adjust satisfactorily all points of difference between
fl?; R..i7i"^ V,^"'^^ ^r'i''?^^*''^'''^'^''^^"^'^ "passage on board
thcBiitish (^ueen" had better have been sustainedli thousand
times over, than that the unoffending membership of our united
body, taking difierent views of the matter, should thus have been
necessarily, and cruelly thrown into "unseemly collisions," from
the npn-accqitance of the proposed " adjustment," on the part of
tne Canada Conference Deputation, in the year iUiO ! !—
[Misrepresentation of the British Conference
Positional
I exceedingly lament to have to notice that the British Confer-
ence have oecn misrepresented, even by the Canada Conference,
and the Conference Journal as requiring the Colonial body, as a
condition of Umon, to plead -or the maintenance of an exJ usive
and dominant Church m this Province. Certainly the icords Qf
<i8
chlrhablvLnr'.h'rfK '^''''''' ^'^"'^ '^'^^ constrmion. I would
ciiantdbly hope that this vusrepresentaiion has been founded in
7en7fh:1^Tn\\^'^ do inos/unhe.i,atinglv and most Jkmn ?
feh rnnflr^n ''\^""u''''"".*^ ^""^ -^"^ ^»«h intention ! The
^onnoU'Mh!rr, r^r'ft'^"u° '^l' '1'''"'^ «^ VVksley, desire not to
Dre'Kn.P of- ^^/fl^^h^d Church, greatly .s they lament the recent
andherr.ul. ^'^'f doctrine' amongst not a Yew of her Clergy
sons nn^o r.L "^ ^""'^•"' ^'^'^ ^^^^^ ''^'^'^t^d on the part of her
sons uniighteous aggression on the religious liberties of their
fellow-ci izens. But, it is not the insl, of the BrS'di^crn^
ant put'-crs or exctvutce prinlffr,s !
enl"l3'r I^'''. ^A^:i- ^h ""^'^ ^•'^''^'■'y- The Canada Confer-
ence have designaod their literary institution at Cobour-, (Vic-
t/plie? o'fh ^. Ci';?! 7v ^-'---^'; i-TtTC-no« "^Id I'ave
r.ppuea to tfie Civil Government" for fs " J-anction. and a
IZTy^ T "sources;' in aid of that particular m,,de of"m2//»
advancing learning am! religion ! All lliat .he Canada ConiVrence
were required to do as a condition of the Union ^.'ns,tolTocatc
he principle, 07,, which such Gmcrnmcnl ff-/«»fo mieht be made
lu " support of the Christian Religion," eith^>r to Cobourg Cd ?ge'
arVa'J.g'enUt"''""" ''^'''^' '^'^^'' ^''''^' matter of L^egislalfve
itfo7J''-rif.'^''*' i« not as your Conference Journal has stated
if III .'l. ' \->oUucn\ question." It is not a secular onestion
atal Jtisa great moral and *W/.f.m,; principle; and(aswe
hold It to be,) one that the Church oV Christ is bound to maintain
1^w;'• ?'^"''r^V!"P' ^"1 "governors;" tmd never more 'o?han
in this day of diplomatic hitdudinariaiiism. As a scriptvral and
j'iHfi'^hT 7"''"^'"' ."'-'"rPi'^'/h'^ ^^ '^^1^' -"J riiaintaCd by the
J3iiish Conference, in all the four quarters of the globe '
It vvill be seen then (I am ^orry to be obliged to say it,) that the
Canaaa Conference have dishonoured themselves, in ei deavou -
ing to d'^grade and to stigmatise the British Conference asdA^rous
of contending in Canala for "a merely political ins itnfion"!-
See Canada Conference 31mutes, 1840, article 7. -i;.Torf«5 xx. IG.
\_Canadian Suffrages in favour of the British
Conference.J
On the Canada Conference alone rests all the responslbilltv of
having refused to riiake any amicable arrangement wih the B i is^i
?f^" X"f ;i ^' ^" '\' P'^'^i"^' retirement from our united chmch ^s
of such of the members and ministers as might prefer the " ^nner-
intendence'' of the Parent Body. This former iWsting cKof
Canadian Colonists ( M agistrates land-owners, merchams! traders
Svl^i'f'''^ *^'' ^.^T^'^ Conference of 1841, informed Lord
bVDF.>HAM, amounted to twelve HUKUUED and FIFTY-SfVKN
PKUsoNs! (In 1840, the united membership was 16 304 I tK
immortal interests of so many believers (v\ho, with their families
and connexions, amounted prol,ably to eig'it thousand souls, ) aurelv
dernanded some compassionate consideration on the pai' of the
BntishCoxiference !~The number of souls now included in ou?
\\ catcui Canauu congregations, is— upwards of Tirentv Thousand I
We have had some increase this last^ear, both irmerohSTnd
?
i
Si-
29
furSpH^f"^ ^T\ ^"^^ prospect, hy God's bl'.ssing, of still
be all thrSe ! ' ""mencally and rinaucially. To (iid alone
souls whllT^"/'^'^ Dis3ol.ation in 1810, besides the Eight Thousand
were ^W.,.?'.'}"/f T'J'''''' ,t'^'' ^"'^^^ Conference, there
whn »n\ • ' f ^'''■'' <^'"f'«'«e(/ Ministers of our united churches,
^. orovJ^n^if!''^ ''f P^^^'T"'^"'^ ^^"^^^''^^ ^'^^^ ^hey could no
no? nv fi^^'''"H•f ""-^'^^ ^^"^^'^^^ Conference in the matter,
ThrPPnni?" conhde in the integrity of their administration 1
and Hnnthil ?i •^^^^♦^"''-'d mm ,sters hud been Ciiairmen of Districts ;
de. t o? f. r'' Y^'t^^^l'l? Wm. Case, had been the first Presi-
\nl'^l.,'ry^''f'^ Conference, on their separation from the
ve rV Mr ^r \n 'h ^""^^ S"^<r^- I'^or sp-, .ral succeeding,
-eren^P Th.' -'i ^'''"'^ the Presidental Chair of the Canada Con-
it ^H^'. i^H'^.^'^tirement of such men from the Canada Conference,
a lp.?!t ^ifi!'"' '"''^ 'T"''y ^ regarded as a sure indication that
of he Rr f?.h r'°f"' ^''^ °^ righteousness to be urged, in behalf
w 1 1 C^'^^^'^i't-'ice ministrations in Western Canada.
S1V '' r !D"f ^r^'^^J'^f "J:^ "^""'^J ^^"P^ S^- P'^^l'» words, and
say W be thanked," that nearly 0;je hcdftk of the united
pi.irly ou lamed mmistiy, gave us their suffrages ; with very many
H)intln1 ^7T^'\ Tk^^''^ preachers, and some of the mos^
r. , 'i , '^'^.^■^.t^d Christians, which can be found among the
Ca 1 Id an jtopulalion l-All these members and ministers, exnres-
e)^Z fl'fnT^^n^f i-n-'inner, their belief that the " Lord had
Finn If rf/' f^on/ere>iceJor to preach the Gospel unto them.''
liund.eJsof others were prevented from doing the same, merelv
by the secular and domestic relations which they sustain.
It is probable that thousands more would have added also their
fl Jo ]";•"' '^ ^YJ r^,^*"^'' DECKiVED as to the real cause of the
?l ,f.K r':- 'T^^'^c ^''^y "°^ ^••^^» /"^•'•'^^'/ "latle to understand,
tlia th.. lintish Conference separated from the Canada Conference,
^l.. .T ^T'^, °^ .Pol't'cs," and a "political institution;" and
that they had required their provincial brethren to defend and
snpport the maintenance of a dominant and exclusive Established
t-nurch in the Province ! Such a statement, however, (by
whomsoever made), was a cruel imposition upon the credulity of
mir ;?r''M '-^TV^'r""*^^"^ slander upon the published senti-
ments of the British Conference !
[Increase since the Dhsolittion.]
During the six years that have elapsed since, the Canada Con-
tVpm Vr/"f'''''^ their membership, from their Conference
in 1«40, (deducting our KW retiring members), 15,097; to their
Conference in 1840-, L»l,74(> ; showing an increase of 6,649 in six
Sv';^ rii ? ^Jisfrumentality of more than One Hundred
oidaiiud M,..usters Dnring the same period the British Confer-
?-2r fn^'l qilf 't '"»So"^'''' 1^^"'^'' ^V^ ^^"•'''^^•'^^i i>om the original
Uo> , m 18^40, to J082 members ; and upwards of a hundred now on
pro. uioiisor memoership. This, by God's blessing, has be -n
Tf itfl^v!? '",T^"\^'>7?^"''^ T''' ^^'""' Ticevtysix Pre^ichers ;
of which less than halt the number only, are ordained Ministers
30
would still more have done so but TorXT'TF ^^' P/°uP'^ ' ^"^
^/mn, and si.ch of tKirMin.Vfprf f v!^ jostinties of the Guar.
Toronto we have lmd[o con entnnl'f "''' "^""'^ ^"P'"^' J"
administration between omZnTv''''"^A^'^/^^' ^^ "^^ ^^""ible
itated as to my dm/ wi j, res Xf m if'' P" '''" "■*'"''"^' ^ hes-
Conference m^en;be';sToour^'reFe"a;' Bml^'^ '^l' ^^'^"'^^^
ment to my feelincrg in that r^IL^! i ' f^^nhced my judg-
most pion/neop le w b 1^1^11^ " ^""^^ "^^ '^^^^ «o"^« "^ 'heir
Jtosfe tl.errsa'hin^er 1>^^^^^^^^^ and right dad am
oi soul with the.e WcslW^trii^rSuill^an iidividljLlf ^"^^''^^
[Summary.']
endoavouho ddve us out of thP . ^'f^'^' ''*' ^'^^ Juncture to
puhlioindi,natiora;ain'^sru«f]tlASI';S;;^^ ^ ^^^'-^
co:S^tSj:; ,xrs^L^Jr t^^ l^-s^r^ds me to
more pacific cC/mfs^ion as irilh^L"'!^'"^ "^^dUorship wuh a
decesfor was und^J^lood ^o^ Valf rUd^^d'^'l^le'll'V"^
Plavtkr, wlio was the author of tlie '' Vm'^l r '' V^^^ • <^- ^ •
honoured with the unanimo s thu . .f ,^''^^^"',^'1"^^^'^' ' ^^'^^^
lor that production an t uVc, f,nT % ^^'? V^"'^'^^ Conference,
that ^'rolcc toieLrP ,n twT"^'''^^'?^, ''^■'^* ^e was to cause
out doubt, therefor Mr P™""'"'°^^'r G^u^'-''^rm. With-
pugnacious and bUte; he w.fat S the'Sish^r ''T '''' ^"''^
their Missionaries in Western Canarhfi^i ^o"ffi-^"ce, and
Z//«G//.,MVm'' would becornedie'-/'.r' • v f.T.^^'"" ^P'''^^ 'f
cnc.:^' which so greatly'Xl'ed tlfa^^n-ok^e "' ^"'"^'" '''''^'^'^
c^oS;::^^^^:,:^;^j^:i^olly . n.is-statement of the
even " conior.^," with Mr pLt??!"."' F^'' anv "y.«,,,/,, ,,
neither time nor indin-i on Th A !f '• ■^?' "'"9^ ^^^'»g«' I have
has made that imSion nnnn .1 -^'^f ^V^^ defensive letters,
which will discSr^anrsucf Saldf r""" J^"""-^^;^"'^^^
attacks upon the Britil^h Sf^ren^ce in future p"?. ''"V'"4
peace, I have omitted manv tlVimrl T » i ?i • °'", ^^^ ^^'^^ "^^
lively said ; and cheerfoll7co;S h^m o o &" '^^" ''^^^'^-
to^iK:;^in^^ r^,«l:;:;\jSf T^^^ -" «^ >
ful'y laboured in Union wthr&a.k'rnn?" ^''''^ ^^^^V che.
latter body, and not the Brit Sh C^lf Conference; and thatth
are a,o„e !;;.po„siMe't ^tSS^S'^^jr^y^^
^
^ I )
J
1-
iu
i
>
^ / >
31
Ihe &;!r °^ °"' P^"'"' ^^P^^^'^ ^"J d-tinctive position in
[OMer Bodies of British IMefhodisls.]
Your readers will be aware thnt nt l«nct .u
four other bodies of^MtnhodhtsiWm {.,?;' ^^'^ f^ ^'^'"^^ or
Canada, besides that which ifeonct^w.h .K7,l'l V'^^^'r'^
ence ; lor instance the Bible Chiistiinl ti • .^^"^'"sli Conft-r-
and the New Connexion M^tJod's's' ol IIT'''' ^^^^'^^'^^'-S
have been postponed, until othTiMeHiodi.t I. ? "u"' .""'-''^ ^''■'f'
lor presumina o visit this Colonv • r i ^"^'^^ ^'''^ apoJouised
which your l-din, men%^t'L^ eoi /il^ ;^^^eMl^t'^i^^ '''""^'
endeavour " to promote thp r. 11, r;..i ■ ^^"'i-^*' Conference to
ginal ,,ibe, .«n/'„°"v°'L\'lfe[„^ir 'rf ZTorrv' ""' '■!:!; ^"o"-
reasons continue to nduce us to ent^r inf.. '^"""^'^y- i he same
usefulness, which mnrp.^ ent it df to n„?r^ opening door of
andbi.adthofthela.u'|;\'ola asrurlmi?" ,^'^^^^^ '" '^' '^'"S'h
tn ncrrorm that cherished dVty '""'"'' '"""^"^ "^ay enable us
MoIt%er;aini; wTLve"!;: ho^TlT t'' T^''"'-'^ ^ody.
Conference. Wediscl^'na^lwT o^I^'l^lhrs '^ ^ ^?'^^^^
appeal to my own conduct, in iha re^nec u-^r ^^T/'"' ^ "''''•y
have irone but to those who InvP nfnT ' ' conljdence. We
not by any means, to nU even^f tlm desc'rl n?'^ '"'^^^^ "« ' «"d
where the Canada Conference are but whT '^ "' ^^ '■ "^^^'^ ^'^
believe that there are pre -ions s J. nL. 7^ ^T conscientiously
of the influence of thit b,,' ly '' "°' "^''^'"^ Hieprobable reacK
Andnarr(?:;^;f V^S^tf b" ' 'Y ---of none,.'
PS -ri- P- , W.M. HARVARD.'
rhepa>^srt:rercferstolhe ''Avfi /•»;.>1 w / .• -i" "iconecr cf.j)^.
Conference uil,..7:'':;nd^oi^d;;;:2^SfcC^''^'^^--^^
ence at, t!,at ii,„e, to he a " viri, .1 n? i ''"^, ^"-"i-^li < or.fer-
rrerfjutaf.rl t.'.t measure. -re pn „!„:";''' 'I'l'' ""'^ ^^•''° ''-1
;ne.„orahie ooc.s.on. The^oTtC le d ' „ en «"ll "[r.i"" /"'^
1)6 misapprehended." >'^<«ujiij, n.en win not liitrefore
.ha, body haveeve.fclHhau&erX" ; W • e, rm'^'-KSn"!
3*2
to consist,) which wruld render the rela inn ^r /r • ,
cialConfeVence,wasasdSS:;ia^^
be lound la our vicinity. Jn the ConTer^nP^ A n ''''^''* "^ '"«y
h.m .n June Um, aretLse remark;b \7o d, A'!fci-"n«^d l/y
which lias commenced between us w,wll ., ^l"*^ '"''"''^'^"'■f^e
linue to cement us into - oTrsr.riT '^^Aj'li""^..^"'''' ^^'i" ^on-
Whethenhe "spirit" ol^he le wli'nc, , ''^"»\ *''«/'>'/«««.»
ference, so liu as tie Britl.l Co d r "^ 'f '^ V^""'''' ^^«"-
gone any change or not, will best he miy iS'Jm^ h'.« under-
I confe.-s that I regard with mi-mvino- y/l /''.'''■°^'^^'"''^-
wmcli they have thil year a ho^ec the^J^^ /^'^/'r''^^"''^'^ t"^
they have always adopted the rate - hntl^r Z^"'^^' ^^•""^••'''
Ion Addresses are before mJ on. the Ge iafc w'""-'' ^^«"^
United State., all of which style thriven, nik'^wTr^'" 'h*^
Conleience ;" a.ul nearly theaame nuiXr Jf ^ , "' ""^ ^^'"'^'i
from tlie Canada Conference, also vvi. X "n 1 ,?"'"''"" ' ''^•"'"^■'"•^
yf';''^rtheiii-.t time, the^ ^dd^sZm^l^^'r^rT /J'^'s
Methodist Conference in Enaland " ■^'"'' ^^^-sleyaa
It must be confessed that the fbrmerly-ndonted nnri i.
ished designation of-" The JJriti.n CoideTeTe '' 1 "F" 7''?^-
been so mvanab y used bv the /'m rv., / /. ~ "" "'''"^^'^ 'las
Methodist Eiuscop^l Chnrc-h n thf l&L^u:^"'■"'?■^■«^ 'he
m«.^ m^^.r^/./ of the two. Nor is it \JXcor^^Ur:n^ ^^ ^"^ '^^
Jul ; as express! iig the relation borne by hat vJne / r^ J'''^'',''
nanisteis and members ..f our extend IP '"^ ^^'^^^ ^" '''<^
throughout " the Three K,ngdoms"'',hn p^-"""'^^;^"'!' Church
the Colonies. -"vai^aoms, the Principality," and all
^ '* Conference in Enfrland" ihev tmh. .,..„ i . i •
our Pare..t Chuixdnn Irellind andS ^i-r, fj i^^^^^^^^^^
as in EsGLAsu") are placed beneath tlVptl- ■'''^^' ^"^ "'<^i'
of all other parts of the^JiriSh Emp U'aNo' if m^ ''1 'h"^^«
seen with how much ot' 7,/,i/n/,nir,f ^ ■ ^^ '";'y tberefore be
hitherto regarded as '' 1^/^^^?:^^;;':;.^,'^^ l--e been
To term ihat Body merely the " t\r Z. n e
Conference m England," mi4u be di 1 . ,?' "^•'''f "^^'" o^ the
of Wales, Scotland, and Jrd Ld wl r '''^"- !? ^V ^^^'^^odm^
snpremeecclesiasticdauthorhv and P.;i "'^""-^ ''°^ ^» '''^ir
The Conferences of oZriellmd sJ R Vl'' '■"P'-^^^^""^d "'erein.
f^!^:!!r^. Ve termed /....A^'^iSlir"^; ^^'iSsJII^^^S i;!' tZ
fere
((
th
nee
find
, tlius withholding their fcri
iim: JJritish Conference"— t"i
junior body like the Canada C
ner distinct
on-
lom "the CO
ive appellation of-
Wf"^'ii:::5;l^^l!^'"^ worhl-thc Wesleynn C
innion i'arent of M^
our Canadian bretl
l?:r&!;^!'"^^'V'^theriev.jiM,sH
iren might imbibe th
-'onference.
icjfiAKnso.v. that
p.ofo.s ,iK. •'«»«;;„,:^;.i«'nir'K.:,';rBX:'''-"^ ""
Hf
LETTER V.
^08-'
"CORRECTIONS OF FINANCIAL MISSTATEMENTa."
Toronto, July 25ih, 1846.
To the Editor of the Christian Ouardian.
Rev. asd Deau Sir, — I npprnach with the greater pleasure
the question of our Western Canada " Expenditure," since, having
reserved that point to the close of these my difi^nsive lett^Ts, its
considf'rution cheerfully bespeaks the termination of my most u v/cl-
come duty.
[Confcrence-Journal AUrg;alions against the BrilishConference}
The attacks of y<>"r Conference Journal which occasioned me l)
tnVe up /he pen of (h'fince, while they embrnced the whole question
of the establishment of our Western Canada \Ji8jion9, were avowedly
ma'le upon the e\[ieiiditure of funds, raised in the mother country
for Mi-isionary purposes, and " thrown away in Canada, " in support
of vviiat it designated as "an unnecessary ministry"'— a worl< of
" opposition" to tlie Canada Conference, curried on ir. "the spirit
of politics," and "for the lionour of lieepinsj up an estahiisliment
in the bosom of a prosperous and influential chiirrb." Ii was slated
that "it was on unwise step, on the part of the ICnplish Conference,
to begin a Re[iiirate I.ndy here — a foolish act." And that "even
siipposing tliiit the (.'nnc'iii Conference iiad provoked," yet, that
" for a large and itiflueniiul hoily, like the English Conference, to
think of revenge, was exceeding pitiful, if noihing; worse."
It was intimated, that these Missionary funds were raised by
"wrong rer)respniatinns, made in London, relative to the temporal
nnd spiritual condition of the people of Canade ;" a " biirden laid,
on the shoulders of persons having more generosi'y than Jcnoio-
ledge of Ike mailer.^* Uur societies in Upper Cana. la were ex-
horted t() " lenonnce every shillin*; of support from the English
confrihntiont." It "recommended the stopping of all supplies
to Canada,'^ and that " nfl Me/hodiyls, whether of the one body
or the other, whether in E'is'ern or IVt ■? em Canada, or in Eng-
land, will do all they can to divert British money from Canada."
Anc? it was added, " We wonder that a single Methodist preacher,
hnwe.^r opposed to or prejudiced against another body, can covsci-
entioiisly -crommend the expenditure of which we speak, or take
any part of it for his own living."
All these quotntinns, foregoinff, are literally copied from the
columns of your Conference Journal. And I wish to remind your
readers, that these expressions were not the languasr of any merely
anonymous correspondent, or of nny private individual, however
respectable; but that they form-d the subject matter of successive
leading articles in your Cont'eience Journal, aided by subsidiarv
co[respo[]dcnts, anonymous and others.
A'
30
[Conferenee Journal Leading Arlides, continued.'^
But I will make a few more extracts from the columns of your
Conference journal:—" Toronto, Sept. 10, 1845. Expenditure
OF THE English VVesleyan Missionary SocrETy in Canada
West. We have had our attpntiri caller! lo the subject of the large
sums anruHlly spent by tho English Wesleyan Missionary Society
withm the field occupied by the ori;jinal and long-estaBlished Wes-
leyan preachers of Canada— ihe unnecessary expenditure of the
chanties of he British and Irish Methodists. Some parties who
read our paper will say that to sppak of this evil is the most likely
way to prolong it. In their estimate it may be so; but we have
certain reasons for knowing the contrary. We have no pressing
motives to induce the conrilituion of the parlies benefited by the
expenditure that is complained of; and who will readily enough
object to have the public attention directed towards it."
** We intend to lay no barrier in the path of ar> adjustment
between the two Conferences. * * * It is the sincere wish of
several of tlio best and most respectable preachers of the Enslish
Conference in England. The if^tter statement we A?w?« to bo* the
fact. * « * * Still we expect that their prpacliersemployea
here— (fur we cannot call them I\Iiiisio7iaries,)—wu\ oppose tliede-
sired arrnngement, with all their influence, on the societies here,
and all their influence with the Missionaiy Committee at homo.'
Were it not for this bitter feling in most of the preachers, wt
should say nothing at the presrnl time on the general subject : but
this very feeling operating against the acco.mmodution makes, with
other reasons, thd necessity of our speaking to counteract the influ-
ence."'
[Editorial Slatein-^nt of the Expenditure, t^-c.J
^' The aggregate Sum for the last Five years, has been very large.
We will copy the same, as appearing in the Annu.^il Reports.— The
Engish Wesleyan Missionary Committee, in some of the towns,
villages, and settlements of Western Canada, spent: —
1. From October, mQ, to Dec V 31st, 1841, £4513 4 3 st'-'.
2. For the year ending , 1842, 320 1 6 I "^
3. Ditto 1843, 4198 13 3 "
4. We liave not seen the Report for 1844,
but doublless the expense may be
putdownat 400O "
5. We may calculate at the suine the
expenses of I345, 40OO 0"
6. Five years' expenses £19,916 3 7"
7. If we turn the total sterling into cmrency,
it will — be Five Years' Expenses in Wes-
tern Canada £24,815 or $99,580 !"
'* Nearly a hundred thousand dollars spent in five years! !"
" Went into the hands of the Methodist preachers in Canada—
" were thrown away on the support of an unnecessar" ministry \v
<t .
31
Upper Canada.'' — " Knowing that no one will speak, if we do not,
ihere was no alternative but to break the silence and expose the
fault," &c. &c.
(Carolina Chrislian Advocate, U. S)
These allegations were repeated in your Conference Journal Oct. 8th
last, in fhe form of an extract from "the Carolina Advocate, des'\s-
nated, " our friendly colemporary," as follows : —
'' It appears that they have expended, during the last Jive years,
about a Hundred Thousand Dollars, in keepioi,' up some Twenty
Mission Circuits, in Canada; a rate of expendilino which taxes iha
English Missionary Society ahont Seven Dollars a year for each
memberadhering to the British Conference, This \a f}aying rotmdhj
for the honour of keening vip an establishment in the bosom of a
prosperous and influential church."
Again, " The Committee at home send out their agents, and, by
the force of the most powerful appeals, the utmost fiu thing which
can be wrung from the hard earnings of the poorest classes of
English and Irish Wcsleyans, is'obiaineu for Missions: and
OF THE FUNDS SO coLLECTfD, One Hundred Thousand Dollars,
HAVE BKEN SENT TO CANADA. The Canadian Wesleyans of the
British Conference, live to a great extent, it seems then, on the
chari'y of the English poor, A fine state of thing<=, truly 1''
{Further quotations from the Christian Guardian.)
It will be fair, Mr. Editor, to quote also the following :—'* It
is possible that the expenses fur thft last and present year are les?,
or mriy be more; but a few hundreds of pounds less' or more will
not either much add lo, or detrnct from, the impression made by
the vast 3?greeate sum. Nearly a Hundred Thousznd Dollar's
spent in five years ! ! How this vast sum has been spent we know
not," &c.
"In thinking of this part of the subject, we could not help blush-
ing for the societies in Kingston, Toronto, Hamilton, London, and
other places. Surely they ought to bo ashamed to receive charitv,
when they are fully able to bestow it," &;c.
'• But w e wish to do justice to all parties ; and therefore we shall
mention that the societies, &c. do contribute in part for the support
of their [.reachers. This they do in tw,j ways ; by contributing directly
to the funds of their Mis-^ionary Society, (and" thus £500 were, in
1813, paid back of the £5,222 received) ;" and by contributing, like
the other Methodists, weekly, and (puiiterly. We have not looked
into th<i Chairman's book, nor is it worth while to send to Mr,
Ridley in Montreal to know, and therefore cannot sav how much
the 3000 members contributed, for the year 1843, * '* * undev
the care of the respectable English Conference. ' ** * If the
members do not conttibute * * *, they are poor-spirited Metho.
dists, wishing to keep up opposition, at the expense of others' char-
ity, &c.
" If any place ought to support itself, it is Toronto. At this very
tim«^ wfi ni-H tr>ll^ (tint ilii» y-;i.. „,...;,.,.. „, ,_ ._i.. -^ u
fand h
is family, and a young man, and thai Mr. Harvard and h
u
30
\_Conference Jontnal Leading Articles, eoniinued.']
But I will make a few more extracts from the columns of your
Conference journal:—" Toronto, Sept. 10, 1S45. Expenditure
OF THE English Wesleyan Missionary Society ih Canada
West We have had our attfntion called to the subject of the large
sums anrually spent by the English Wesleyan Missionary Society
within the field occupied by the ori;iinal and long-estaUlished Wes-
leyan preachers of Canada — the unnecessary expenditure of the
charitiea of the British and Irish Methodists. Some parties who
read our paper will say that to speak of this evil is the most likely
way to prolong it, !n their eslimate it may be so; but we have
certain reasons for knowing the contrary. We hfive no pressing
motives to induce the conriliation of the parlies benefited by the
expenditure that is complained of; and who will readily enough
object to have the public attention directed towards it."
<' We intend to lay no barrier in the path of arv adjustment
between the two Conferences. * * * It is the sincere wish of
several of the best and most respectable preachers of the English
Conference in England. The latter statement we Imoio to bo the
fact. « " * * Still we expect that their preachers employed
here — (for we cannot call them Missionaries,) — will oppose the de-
sited arriingement, with all their influence, on the societies here,
and all their influence with tlie Missionary Con. inittee at home.
Were it not for this bitter fi-eling in most of the preachers, we
should say nothing at the present time on the general subject : but
this very feeling operating agitinst the uceommodution makes with
oihor reasons, the necessity of our speaking to counteract the influ-
ence.''
[Editorial Statement of the Expenditure, c^"*-]
" The aggregate Sum for the last Five years, has been very largs.
^.\\: will opy the same, as appearing in the Annual Reports. — Tha
Kngish Wesleyan Missionary Committee, in some of the towns,
villages, and settlements of Western Canada, spent:—
1. From October, 1810, to D<je'r 31st, 1841, £4513 4 3 st'g.
2. For the year ending 1842, 3201 6 1 "
3. Ditto ....1843, 4198 13 3 "
4. We have not seerr the Report for 1844,
but doubtless the expense may be
putdownat 4000 0"
5. We may calculate at the same the
expenses of 1345, 4000 0"
6. Five years' expenses £19,916 3 7"
7. If we turn the total sterling into currency,
it will — be Five Years' Expenses in Wes-
tern Canada £24,865 or $99,580 !"
" Nearly a hundred thousand dollars spent in five years! !" —
*' Wen? into the liands of the Methodist preachers in Canada —
" were thrown away on the support of an unnecessary ministry, in
#A»
.^3
SI
#«
V
Upper Canada.'' — " Knowing that no one will speak, if we do ' ot,
there was no alternative but to break ihe silence and expose the
fault," &c. &c.
(Carolina Christian Advocate, U. S)
These allegations were repeated in your Conference Journal Oct. Sih
last, in the fornn of an extract from the Carolina Advocate, desig-
nated, '* our friendly cotemporary," as follows: —
'' It appears that they have expended, during the last Jive years,
about a Hundred Thousand Dollars, in keepini? up some Twenty
Mission Circuits, in Canada; a rate of expendiiuro which taxes the
English Missionary Society about Seven Dollars a year for each
member adhering to the British Conference. This is faying roundly
for the honour of keening up an establishment in the bosom of a
prosperous and influential church."
A^ain, " The Committee at home send out their agents, and, by
the force of the most powerful appeals, the utmost fiuthing which
can \ie.ivru7ig from lite hard earnings of the poorest classes of
English and Iris/c Wesleyans, is obtained fur Missions: and
OF THE FUNDS SO coLLECTKD, One Hundred Thousand Dollars,
HAVE UEKN &KNT To CANADA. The Canadian Wesleyans of the
British Conference, live to a great extent, i„ seems then, on ihe
charity of the English poor, A fine stale of things, truly I''
{ Further quotations from ihe Christian Guardian.)
It will be fair, Mr. Editor, to quote filso the following: — '*T
is possible that the expenses for the last and present year are less,
or m'ly be more ; but a few hundreds of pounds less or more will
not either much add to, or detrnct from, the impression mnde by
the vast aggregate sum. Nearly a Hundred Thousand Dollars^
spi'nt in five years ! I How this vast sum has been spent we know
not," &.C.
" In thinking of this part of the suhject, we could not help blush-
ing for the societies in Kingston, Toronto, Hamilton, London, and
other places. Surely they ought to be ashamed to receive charity,
when they are fully able to bestow it," &c.
" But we wish to do justice to all parties; and therefore we shall
•^.lention that the societies, Sic. do contiibutein part for the support
of iheir preachers. This they do in two ways ; by contributing directly
to the funds of their Missionary Society, (and thus £500 were, in
1313, paid back of the £'),Q:22 received); and by contributing, like
the jthor Methodists, weekly, and quarterly. \Ve have not looked
into the Chairman's book, nor is it worth while to send to Mr.
Richey in Montreal to know, and therefore cannot sny how much
the 3000 members contributed, for the year 1843, * * * under
the care of the respectable English Conference, ' * * if ij-jg
members do not cuntiibute * * *j ihey are poor-spirited Metho-
dists, wishing to keep up opposition, at the expense of others' chai-
ity," &c.
" If any place ought to support itself, it is Toronto. At this very
time we are toUl that ihe ciiy society supports only one predchef
and his family, and a young man, and that Mr. Harvard and hi>
32
family are dependent solely on the MissionKry Fand. The startlinif
statement, that nearly one hundred thousand dollars of Mis-
sionary money, were spent \n five years, or about twenty tkousa>d
DOLLARS a-year, no one was prepared for : * * * such alarming
expenses, vie with the Church of England ! Four Thousand
Pounds a-year, divided among seventeen ministers," &c.
" li we have staled an incorrect sum, why does not some one
correct us? We want not to make things worse than they are.
Bad enough they are, without the pen of exaggeration. * *• * Mr.
Harvard was told that he was welcome to corruct our statemenf
We have been e".prcting the corrections for four weeks. We now
think, as the public in general will think, there is nothing \.o cov
rect, or something s,o trifling, lliat the correction will but confirm
the statement of the prominent evil, and miike it more flagrant, in
the eye of the public. An evil indeed ! The exhibition of the
truth, may not be very pleasing; but its diataslefulness to some is
no right reason to us for secrecy. Remedy the evil, and imme-
diately, and then no fuitlier exposure need be feared !^' &c.
Oct'r 15th. " We are sorry to hear that the preachers of the
English Conference, in Canada West, are so offended with our ex-
posure of their fault. We wrote it as kindly as we could, for their
sakes, as for some of them we feel much respect. However, we
liope the Missionary Reports will afford no more texts for sermons
of the kind." ' &c.
lUiUrulhful Allegation of the Conference Journal.']
Having defended ihe character of the British Conference, from
the misrepresentations of your Conference Journal, as it regards
ihe'n position in Canada West, and their principles and procedure
there, I swll now attempt the same with respect to •' the expen-
diture'^ of their Missionary Society, in that interesting section of
'their extended work.
I wish that the Canada Conference may yet publicly disclaim
the discreditable imputations of their organ as to thn modes by which
the funds of the Society are raised from persons who, it has asserted,
have " more generosity than knowledge of the matter,' &c. But,
whether or not ; leaving that and all its other vituperations on the
subject; I shall confine myself to this one object, namely, to show
tha^ our Western Canada Missionaries, have not been that serious
amount of "burden," to the Missionary Fund''— to the " English
poor"--and to the " generous Irish people," which the Christian
Guardian has (untruthfully) sought to make it believed that they
have been; — and, "with the view oi injuring their credit and
standing."
We unhesitatingly deny having expended on our " unnecessary
ministry," in Canada West, " One Hundred Thousand Dollars of
British-Missionary. Money, in Five years;'' or even half that
amount! —
iDisproof of Financial Misstatements in said .hurnal.J
It will be my duty to call tie attention of your readers to these
f'irstly, The .\nnual Sums charged in the Parent Reportb against
r
i^
r f •;
^
m
V- f -,
33
the pxpenditiire of the Wpstern Canada Missionaries, though pro.
fessedly copied into the Christiatt Guardian, from the said Re-
ports, have, in every instance, been exaggerated; on I this, to an
Hggregate nmount of One ThousantI Eight Hundred and Forty
I'oiifids, Sterling. I'iiia may be seen, on reference to said Rcporis.
I have no dou!>t that this was purely from mistake, and do not aitri-
butt' any dishonest intention, by any means.
St-.sondly, Tliis same amount, ought to have been deducted, in
fact, from the sums, said to have been expended on our " JinneceS'
sary miyiistry;'' seeing tliat amount had been incurred sjiecialby
*' tor Sf.iiools," and specialty accounted for, as such, in the said
Reports, in a separate account, designated ; " To Amount of Special
Contributions received for Schools :" and " Amount of Expenditure,
for Schools.''
It is a fact that ought not to have been withheld from your readers,
by the late editor, that our Eiiglisjh Missionary Cominitiee receive,
annually, miny hundreds of poundji f(jr " Schools." which would
never be allowed to come into our funds, for any " ministry,'^ whether
necessary, or " unnecessary." And the total amount of apporlior*-
ment to the vaiious Missionary Districts, is regulated by the amounc
80 expended in each District, in consequence.
As the Rev. Ephrnim Evans nas intelligently observed, in his
pointed letter in the Canada London Times: — ''The support of
several Indi=in Missions and Schools: is included in these Annual
Sums." 1 have the pleasure of adding his account of //ie ow/3/ .Ue^/io-
dis' Indian Manual Labour School, which has yet been estab-
lished \n CAnHQla, Jt is well knov^ n this is locaied at. AlderviUe,
in Almoick township: and, has long been under the superintend-
ence of the veneiabie Mr. Cask. Mf. Evans writes, " At one of
these is sustained an expensive Manual Labour School, in which a
number of male and female Indian youths are clothed, boarded, and'
usefully educated, with reference to their future employmeut in ihe
civilization of thtir aboriginal brethren." —
I add, that, of this valuable Indian establishment, Col. Jarvis and
Cap. AndersoK, the Indit." °,°;"nt8, have been pleased to reoorl most
favourably ; and its " expenditure,'' surely need not ba regarded
as "unnecessary." But our general "ministry," manifestly,
ought not to have been held accountable (by a r«^t', so much ner
minister, and so much per member,) for money how usefully soever
etiiployed in the education and civilization of our long-degraded
aboriginal Indians. Surely such '• shillings," ought not to be re-
presented as " thrown away in Canada" 1 —
Thirdly. In the supply of some of our Western Cana<la Stations,
several salaried local preachers are engaged, in a;^dition to those
ordaiiied and probationary Missionary mitiislers, whose names ap-
pear on the printed minutes. Having previously slated, that we
have *• iwent; circuits," it would seem rather ungenerous that your
journal should so fearlessly assert: " They spend Four Thousand
Founds a-yeur, divided among seventeen ministers.^' — The tolal
number of our preachers, at present, is, tweuty'six.
Fourthly. The ia»e editor, professing " to 60 justice to all
parties^" admits that our friends in Western Canada " do contriU-'
D 2
34
nte, in part, for the support of their preachers;'' partly, by weekly
snd quarterly •ubscriplions," and partly, by contributing directly to
thtt B'unds of their Missionary Society ;" and, as to the latter mode,
he remarks: " and thus in 1845, £500, wer«i paid back, of the
money rnceived from that Fund." Now, as the *' Five years' ex-
j»eiiditure," was under consideration, it may have been thought by
some persons, that tiiis was the onl;^ amount that had ilius been
" paid back*' to the Missionary Fund, during that period. Whereas,
there was quite as large a sum as that, contributed, in this way, sack
of (he other four years also ! The total amount indeed, of this
" paying back," during those " five years," having been— "Three
Thousaud Three Hundred and Forty-five pounds .Sterling; or,
[at 248. 6d. Currency,] Sixteen Thousand Three Hundred and
Ninety Dollars .'—In proof of this, wo refer tothe Parent Reports,
for tho?e years, h may be stated that the amount " thus paid
back'' to the Fund from ou"- Western District, this year, (1846,.) i»
greater than in any previous year.
This item, having been ptofessediy mentioned, by the late editor,
from a desire " lo do justice to all parties,'' your commercial
readers will deem it strange, that so considerable a sum aa this,
should not have been placed to the credit of our District, (when dis-
cussing the expensiveness of said District,) by way of diminishing
the largeness of the " vast" Sums, said to havd been '• wrung
from the hard earnings of the poorest classes of English and Irish
vVesleyans, " and " sent to Canada" for the support of its " unneces-
sary ministry." h will, however, be our pleasant duty on this
occasion, to supply that omision.
And, since there is a " wi^h to do justice to all parties," I will
quote again from Mr. Evans's timely letter, just referred to : —
With respect to our friends in " Toronto, Kingston, Hamilton, Lon-
don, Woodstock, Guelph, Belleville, and Bytown, &c ;" — " the
aggregate amount raised there last year, was sufficient to meet
their own expenditure, and to leave a balance available for the
general operations of the Society." And, further—" When \l is re-
membered that in most of these places, commodious chapels have
been erected, Sunday-school and ministers' huusps, have been
erected or purchased ; u-ilhoul a farthing having been granted
Jrom the Parent Society i" the desire felt by the^G'Mar^fmw, that
they should be handed over to the Canada Conference, must abate,
or they must be suspected of some less disinterested motive, than
a wish to relieve the English Committee from embarrassrr3nt.''
. These fads, will disclose to the editor of the Carolina AdvO'
eate, that we in reality do not minister to " poor-spiriled Metho-
dists" — that our friends are far " more noble,'" than lie has unknom'
ingly misrepresented them to be — and that, at least in this respect,
the Canada Conference Journal has, hseems then, sadly betrayed its
"friendly cotemporary" into error, in his conceptions and p'rocla.
mations, respecting '' the Canadian Wealeyans of the British Con-
f -tenoe,"
Fifthly. In order to make out his case against our " five years
eKpeiidiiure," llie lute editor was obliged to '^ guess'* at what the
la»t two of those years would be; the official statements respecting
35
them, not then having been puMished. It might have hepn some-
what for the credit of your Conference Journal, had our assailants
posaessed ^' pciience,^' until our case had fully come out hefors the
public. You are aware Rev. Sir, that I have been repeatedly cen-
sured for not eaWier settling this "pounds, shillings, and pence"
question. Other reasons besides this, have led to the delay; but,
with .easonalile people, this one may be deemed sufficient; namely,
that yet, the Parent Report, of the Fifth of those " Five years,''
has not crossed the wide Atlantic. Hence we cannot tell exactly
what the amount of its '' expenditure'* really was, "even unto
this dayy But it may show those who are so prone to be sovcrned
by their passions, the truth of that ancient aphorism: " the more
haste — tlie worst speeds
By referring to the statement of our expenditure, as given by
your Ciinffrence-journal; (items No. 4 and 5.) your readers will
perceive the following editorial words : " We have not seen the re-
port for 1844, but doubtless, the expence may bft put down at Four
Thousand Pounds sterling. We may also calculate the expenses
of the present year, 1845, at the same;" [that is Eight Thousand
Pounds for the two years, 1844 and 1845. J Since that time the
report for 1844 has been received, and forwarded to the late editor ;
and it now transpires that the "expense putdtiwn" in that dccu'
ment, for that year, is only "Two Thousand Three Hundred and
Ninety-six Pounds." By way of expediting this business, Mr.
Editor, I will engage that we shall not find at most, " put down,"
for the last of the years, more than Two Thousand Five Hundied
Pounds."
It will be justly considered, to be a rather humiliating position
in which for your Conference-journal to be pluced ; but we will
simply remind your readers, that thus its columns have actually
oi-er-eslimafed the exjiences of our District, to the amount of Three
Thousand One Hundred and Four Pounds sterling; or more 'han
Fifteen The isand Two Hundred Dollars; with regard to those two
years alone I
Sixthly. The Government Grant was paid in the First of the
Yoars, as see Report, and should have been deducted as thus "paid
back" to the Fund.
Seventhly. The Dissolution of the Union, having taken place in
the Fall of the year 1840, sundry bahinces and other claims, (!) up
m that date, were most assuredly paid to various ministers of the
Canada Confereiice, by the Superintendent of Missions ; and were
included in the item, No. I. in the late editor's foregoing statement
of our "expenditure." The same remark applies to No. 3 of the
same statement. And this explains the renson why the expenses
of those tipo years, were larger thau those of either of the others
of " the five yeara.^^
Not having the documents, by which the exact amount of our
own separate expenditure for 1841 and 1843, can be ascertained,
it would appear equital)le to take the average of the three other
years, during which no pavments were made to the Canada Con-
ference ministers, (1812,1844, and 1845.) This the reader will
find to be £2,592 13 6 ; and which we may " put down," as tb©
38
piooalde exppn.iiiure of those two yoars, now in qupstioi ; omvtiinj
also other coniingetict's connected with the dissoiuiion, not justly
chBigeable on the '• seventeen ministers."
Before, liowever, we dismiss t' is head, we may remark, that
'' doubllest," the ahovr-menlionea " Methodist preachers" of the
Canada Conference, did very " conscienlious/y urge their claims
to a portion of this same '• expendUiire,'' and each did very " co?i-
scicniiousii^" taki^ it "for his own living !" And it maybe regarded
as a singular instance of Providential reiribulion, lownr.ls our
unkind and ungenerous assailants, that the money claIMK-d by Ihtin
&uA \\\U9- paid to them, is shown " before llie eye of the public,"
to have formed A PART of that same aggregate sum— which they
have said had been " thrown away in Canada"'— those " alarming
fxperices"' tliat " flagrant, prominenl evil" — on account of which our
Western Canada Missionaries have been held up to public scorn
nnd reprobation, bv the relisions '}n\\xr\h\ of that very same Con-
ference! Some time since fsaid, Mr. Editor, that " the figures"
would come on, quite soon enough for the credit of certain
parlies !
To quote the words of "our friendly cotemporary," in Virginia,
we may say. of these same Canada Conference ministers, \.h..\\.f.hey
bI^o — ''live, IT ?EEM3, THEN, on the charity of the English poor.
A fine state of ihinss, \.n\\sV^—'^ And WHY heholdest thou the
mote that is in thy brothers eye? but considerest not the beam
thai is in thine own eye !"— Matthew, VI 3.
lAn Unnecessary Mirdslry.^
1 have. Mr. Editor, adopted the phrase »' IN st'PP.mT of an un-
necessary ministry,'" merely to fix the character of the expenditure
inqjestion. But. at the same lime, I must humbly dv^ny the just-
ness of its application, to the agency of the Missiunaries of the
British Conf. rencein Western Canada. They minister to multiiudes
who do not come within the reach of the innuence of tiie Canada
Conference. Even iheir connexion with the Biiiish Coiifereme, is
a passport to usefulnesss, in innumerable instances, which ihey
could not transfer to any other body of Methodists. No one caa
occupy their I'rovid-'ntial ground. They cannot theiefore be righte-
ously regarded as " an unnecessary ministry."
An unnecessary minisiry? Shame on the parties that presume
to denominate it such! I pledge niy humble " credit and scanding
here," upon the truth of this statement following; namely that at
least half the present congregations of the maligned British
Missionaries, in Canada Wt'st, are gathered — and si metimes at a
vast expense of f>h_\ sical exertion — in neighbourhoods that are never
visited by the Canada Conference ministers ! And not a few of those
neighbourhoods, would be entirely without the ministry of God'a
Holy Word, were those "unnecessary" Missionaries to be with-
drawn from them !
In some of those New Settlements, the preachers of the Canada
Conference were never seen, until the British Missionaries had
gathered congregoiions ihevQ I In them the British Missionaries
labour atnong a must neceesitous and deaiitute people (even in 1846),,
87
cheerfully sharing with them in the iligadvaiitaees of the newie
and pariiallv cleared wilderness. In their scattered settlements the
brethren wiio share our '' uiinecessaiy ministry," are not unwiilini^
to — sleep on the floor of the only room in the dwt'lling', on which all
the family repose at the same lime. They hnii^li thcdrilted snow from
off their pillows, in a temperature 20 degrees below zero; and, in
their wakinsf momenta, they could count the stars through tlie
openings of their buml)le roof. And yet, of these men your Confer-
ence journal has said, " We cannot ea^/ them missionaries!"
[_Recapiiula(ion of the Real Expendihirc ]
I'hese candid and cheerful explanations of the expenditure which
is really acknowledged in the Parent Reports, and "misstatkd"
in the Guardian, of September 10, 1845, &c., will prepare the
reader for the following " cokrkctkd" statement of — "The Ek-
PENDITURE OF THK ENGLISH VVeSLEYAN MlSSIUi^: ARY SoCIETY IN
Canada West."
For the Years ending ;—
Sterling. Dollars.
1. Dec. 31, J841, estimated by average, £2.5.92 13 6
2. 1842,a3si(a<ei in theiee/^or;; 2,88118 11
l^^'i, estimated hy average 2,592 13 6
IMA, ^9, state d\n\\\fi Report 2,396 1 8
l^Ab, toarrayited not to exceed 'i.bQi)
Total of actual charges against the
2.
s!
4.
5.
6.
Western District £12,003 7 7 $63,520
7. Deduct the sums admitted, by the late
Editor, to have been "contributed
to the Funds of their Missionary So-
ciety'' — not " wrung from Eniilish
and Irish poor" — not "sent to Cnn-
ada"— and, by him, said to have
been " op.id buck to that Fund," 3.345 $16,390
£9,618 7 7 $47,130
8. Deduct, expended on Indian Schools,
&c. ; certainly not " passed into the
hands of Methodist preachers" — not
" divided among seventeen minis-
lets"— ?iof " thrown away in Cana-
ada" in support of an ^* unnecessary
ministry"— and in part furnisheci by
contributions raised in England for
that specific object £1,844 110 $9,036
_ £7,774
9. Deduct also the Government Grant paid
in the first of the Years 700
5 5 $30,094
3,038
10. The alone real Expenditure of "Eng-
liah Contrihutious," ia Five yvfn» £7 y07i 5 5 $32,358
38
II. Balance of over-statement, in the
Guardian 12,84118 2
06.244
12. The Total, incorrectly placed by Guar-
dian (as ppr pdiiorial statemtni) Bgainst
the Expenditure ill Canad I West ... £19,916 3 7 $100,000
[Sixly-six Thousand Dollars]
In this letter it, is hoped, Rev, Sir; that I have most amply re-
deemed my promise to ihe late editor, Dec. SOlh : — "1 will show
in figures, so far as the actual total of outpaymentj from the English
Missionaiy Fund are concerned, that you have been guilty of er-
Btating it, to the amount of at least more than Thirty Tho..jand
Dollars !" Of course, I could, even then, have promised twice that
amount; for the figures h.^.ve undergone no change since then.
But 1 preferred so lo pledge myself as that I might prove to be
better than my promise. And I have had tlie most real satisfaction
in more than doubling my words'. Your leaders have seen it
proved, in figures, that, " with the view of iniuung their credii and
standing," your Conference journal has been disluuioured bv over-
Btating the expenditure of the English Wesleyan Mi-s^ionnry Funds,
in Can ida West, during five years, to an amount tf more than
SxTl Six Thousand Dollars!
[^^ Afraid to come to the Figures."]
Your readers, furthermore, have seen, that while the Chrisiinn
Guardian has represented it to be, on the part vf the, British Mis-
sionaries, a shmie and a sin to expend in Canada, money raised in
the mother country for Missionary purposes : yet that, in fact,
certain of the ministers of the Canada Conference had, ihemstlvca
expended a poition of this very identicai money. Tiiese very
individuals were covered by "the figures" which, not a few of those
ministers and their Conference j urnal, were holding up to piiblic
reprobeuion ! While the Guardian was exclaiming : " We wonder
how iiny Methodist preacher can coiiscienlionUy take a part of this
expenditure for his own living,"' our relentless a3^<ailants little ex-
pected that, in self-defence, we should have to tell the public that
some of their own number h id been far from nn-anxious to tale
TH.-iiR pari! Mr. Editor, hundreds of honourable mind.-:, in your
own community, will justly despise all this farce ! Nor can this
attack upon our expenditure, be productive of any addition of res-
pectability to your own body.
For my own part, 1 v\ill oidy say, that I hope your readers will,
at lei.gtl), be fully convinced, that though unavoidable causes have
occasioned this topic to be defeired until now, bv no possibility could
I ever have been, as some have insinuated — afraid to come to the
fignrea !
I Conclusion.']
It has been seen that, in some of our stations, we truly labour
amon? a '"oor and destitute neo'de* wliom it is a work of truest
I eater part of
.
ipply
g'
our Weslein District, those who deaire our ministrations, pay
89
BACK, in the nfi;?regafe. iheomoiinr received from the English Con-
tribmions. The probabiliiy is that, in the progress of the Rood
work, there will bo a |»rowing balance in fdvoiir of the efforia of the
Society in heaihen countiies. And hence the expenditure in Canada
West, hiiherto, may be resarded in the character of a useful outlay
upon a valuable estate, which presents liie most promising prospeeis
of iiliimnle and recompensing relurntt.
My letteis have also proved, that it was not in the spirit of unholy
rivalry, or sectarian opposition, that our Missionaries were sent to
this country, as your journal has asserted. We came, in the spirit
of the most unfeitrned friendship, to obey thfl evident call of Trovi-
donee ; and, by God's bjesaioc. (from the influence wliicli our Chris-
tian community in tlie Mother Country may he sufiposed to possess,
over our laree emigrant population,) t'o " ftalher np the fragments,
that no/hiiifr be lohl." I have s^hewn, also, that tho occasional col-
lisions into which our a£;encie« have been broucht, in former times
with other parlies, have arisen from the unfriendly attitude, which
those parties h^ve themselves taken, with respect to our humble
endeavours to do pood; and to do good, under circumstances, in
which lliey themselves could not possibly supply our lack of service!
I may be permitted to remaik, th-it 1 have myself hud no personal
connection with this expenditure, that I have' been so ha['py as to
defend ; nor have I been in any way mixed up in any of the tempo-
rary collisions, which havu occurred. It is but twelve months since
I had the honour to be appointed in charge of this District ; and
'.>.iere I deemed it no presumption to regard mvseif " as an humble
representaiive" of the venerable body, by whom I had been so a[i-
pointed. From the loved friendships fhave formed in your body, Mr.
Editor, it has been to me a painful task to have to defend ourselves
aaainsl the repeated attarks of your Conference Journal. And it was
full TEN WKEK8 after the first attack, before any thing, iVom myself,
defensively, appeared in its columns! Duringihiit peiiod of sileni
endurance, it should be remembered, that no lending member of
your body, came forward to " regret," or to " deprecate," or to " put
an end to such unsepmly and iijurious discussions, and to cultivate
a spirit, of Cliristian forbearance and brotherly kindness" ! The lale
President of the Canada Conference, a few" weeks afterwards, in-
serted a rehuketui disclaimer, in the Guardian, of what he termed
"a horrible mutilatior" of a missionaiy-speech, that he had then
recently dcvered. But never has there yet appeared any disclaimer
of the not les" "horrible mutilatior " of the character of the British
Conference, .md its Missionary Society, and Agents, and Canadian
Congregation- , either oliirial or unorticial, " vnio this day." Surely
this treatment is not in the. spirit of " the Evansrelical Alii
In the late address of the Canada Conf(
ance
>>i
Methodist Conference in England," the for
erence to '' the Wesleyan
mv body have publicly
ind officially expressed their " regret" at the '• aiscussion o
diflTerences between the two bodies, which has arisen
rmer
in th
ffo
8 country,
during the last few months." 1 would respectfully remaik, that a
rff/(;Hce against t e attacks of a highwayman, misht, with pqual
propriety, be tern ed a "discussion!" With all due regard 'for
these my former fi tends, 1 am constrained to lament that ihey did
40
not«I,otlpeply"rPgrPf." «nd <krif}e.!ly anr] publicly reprehend
and co'ifZem/i. nnH disclaim, the alone cause of that '« discussion"'
nsmely. ti.e dtsre«p-c//uL and virulent, and unrelentine and
;jers<'v<'r<ne', and vnprovohed, nnd unresisted, and Unjitstifmble
ultack^ upon our body, week after week, which weie mride by their
own Conference .v,urnal. These nttarks wore tna-le upon u/with
at least, the iucit consent of all /At /*ar/j«g men of their body— and
at a time, whe.i naught hut kind.„.«s was in our hearts respectin?
them. Be it also remembered, ih,.t they were attacks m^.rleunon us
when It was hoped and believe<l, th.i we were absolaiely-Wcay'
a/jl': of an2/ detenco ! ^
The recent dep nation from the Cmada Conference to the Pa-
rent body in En£;land, have sliar. d in my smcerest prayers tor their
safrt and snti.st.ictory voyase. ]}ur, if any one supposes that tha
thousands of our respected ni^n.ls in this District, can reffard with
approval any kmd of iW^'H///jf,?/io« with the Canada Conference
wiihout the most decided and most honest condemnation on tha
pan of that body, of the disieputal.le attacks of their or^an upon
us, " diring the last few months" I fear he will l]^,\ himself to be a
most mistaken individu .1. To be altogether insensible to such an
outrage, I should .leem to be no virtue. To foi-zive its auiiiors all
the evil that they intended to do us thereby , will he, on our part
a most agreeable duty. But they will best consult their own char-
acter, by some suitable reparation, to the wounded feelinog of their
fellow-cul "^; ., (ind fellow-chi istinns. °
In yourjournal of .luly 1st, a distinguished minister of your body
has stated that my:couise of defence is disapptoved by certain mem-
bers ot the British Conference. It .,iy be added, that those parties
have not had my own explanutions of the rei.sons wtiich ha^e actu-
ated me therein. This I may with truth atlirm, however, that the
assailed reputation of that ven<-rable bo.lv, has been my chief object
of defence ! Th:U defence will shortly ho in pamphlet form; in
which I sliall show that that minister's attack upon the correctness
of my statement is perfectly without any real foundation.
It is said that, at the last Conference, the late editor was far more
generally censured fur allowing me so murM lilj-rfy of defence
than for himself taking so great a license of attack. On that ac'
count, I am bound to respect him. I have regarded him as only
doing the wot k tint he was expected to do, and was never piib'icbi
reproved for doing. I must consider him, as principnily blamed
for ha-.ing atforded 10 us, that liberal oppoitunity of defence, which
some would have denied to us !
After the Rey. G. F. Playter's first few discourteous refer-
ences to myself, we bed occaMonal personal intercourse ; and I
have the .sincerest pleasure in hereby tendering to him, and also to
the obliging and talented Printer of your journal, my thanks for
gratifying civilities, in connection wiih the insertion 'of my com-
munications. To yourself, also, Mr. Editor, it is with great cheer-
fulness that I make a similar acknowledgement. Ami I be» to
remain, Rev. and Dear Sir, your airectionaie fellow-servant." for
CiiiisL'ri sttke,
W. M. HARVARD.
f?
i
41
in
foi
«
i
[Note A: — The '-^Anti-Union ResuhUiojis.'']
My statement, page 23, in relation to the above Resolutions, is
as follows : — " In these, the Grant to our Missionary Couiniittee
was particularly mentioned, and a decluration made that such
Grants ' have proved variously prejudical to the i)cace and tr;.n{|uil-
ity oflhe Trovince.' Tlie re.-^ult of this was, that tlie payment
was for some time suspended.''
The foUowini; are the remarks oi Doctor Ryersox upon the
above :— " It is dillicult to conceive a statement more misch.evou :.
more unjui^t, and more unfounded than this. In the first place.
The Resolutions referred to were in no respect all'ecting tiie Grant
to the London Missionary Committee. In the next jdacc, These
Resolutions iiever caused the suspension of the payment of that
Grant." _
I. To thi? '»nld denial of my statements, I ask the attention of
the readei, ..d to the following extracts from the Resolutions
tlicnisclccs : —
Rcsolreil. "That the sum of £900 Sterling was granted to the
"Wesley" Missionary Cominiitee in London in ]o3'.i, and also
"a further sum of £000 in lUlil ; which sums were granted
'' without any solicitation on the jiart of the Committee in London.
" That this Conli'rence, (cilhont ami desire to interfere (! ) in the
•' engagements between His Majesty's Government ancl the Wes-
"leyan Missionary Cominitlee in London, cannot forbear to
*^ express its deep regret that the several Government Grants,
"comiponly called 'Religious Grants,' hore prored seriousli/
*^ prejii.^icial to the peace and tranquillity of the Province" ! I—
jS'/'c Minutes of Conference, IfJoT.
Doctor Rykrson know? *vell that the above Resolutions are hi3
ovv.' WORDS. And the mystery lies in the remaikable fact that, in
the face of these very words, he siiould attemi)t to damage my
testimony by fearlessly asserting as follows : — " TJie Resolutions
"referred to were in no RKSfKcxallecling the Grant to the London
" Missionary Committee" I I
IL I next place before the reader the facts following, in proof
that the Resolutions " did" prevent the payment of the Grant : —
1. That not only did Mr. Stinson, at the time express his fears
that the Resolutions might lead to the suspending of the (xrant ;
but that, at the Hamilton Conference in 1839, said Resolutions
were actually rescinded on this alleged ground : —
Resolved, — " That the Rev. Mr. Alder, having represented
" that the second, lifth, and sixth Resolutions passed by this Con-
"ference in June lo'}7, on the Mibjeet of certain Grants made by
" His late Majesty to the Wesleyan Missionary Committee out of
'the casual and territorial revenue, interferes with the usages of
" onr British brethren, and materially retards their interests, this
"Conference rescinds the same." — Minutes of Conference, 1839.
2. That in the Mirai'es of the British Conference for ICIO, is to
be found the following record : — " Minute, 1 of the Conference in
Toronto, 1837, containing Resolutions which might have been
pleaded by the Government as a reason for withholding the Grant ;
and which (m point of fad) did induce the Local Government io
decline, for a time, to renew the payment." I !
42
3. That in the Enolisb Missionary Report for 1839, is this item ;
"Upper Canada Grant lor one and a halj^ years, £10.iO.
This payment of arrears certain!: shows that there had been a
snspcnsiun of tlie regular annual payment. , „ • ; ,
1 liope the reader is convinced that 1 have advanced noilaiig but
the truth on (his occasion. And if all my other statements are only
'' eavalli, rnncii'nV with this, then may they be regarded as sulh-
cicntl^' real, and unsophistical.and undeniable, to mvite the calmest
confidence of the most considerate reader. ,t,^* *>,:«
It cannjt but be a source ot satisfaction to the writer, that this
noint (so well sustained) is the onln on of his '' mulUtvdinous
statements," that Doctor Rylrson ha.< deemed it necessary to
endeavour to invalidate. , at t
[DocLor Byersons ]\ame.\
In this my defensive review of the lacts of our Western Canada
M ssion! U may be truly said, that 1 have never telt any spirit of
-antagonisiu,'' either against Doctor Rylrson or any ot his
brethren of the Canada Conierence. •, i i
d'.R. complains of my use of his name ! To me it has been
matter of deep regret that he has been so mixed njt with he
case Often have I most unfeignedly lamented,, in passing that
ico^ld not refer to him approvingly. i;iie truth is tliat one of my
••inhrmaies'' is, not being capable of easily extinguishing the
firp of a former Iriendt-hip. . . i i ■
If the Doctor will take the trouble ot counting the places in my
defence communications in which a relerence to himself has
been n ossary, he will see how studious 1 must have been to
avoid mention of the name of Rykhson ; choosing to speak ot
him bv lis olttce rather than by his "nariie."
And when his name has been mentioned, it has been with str ct
adherence to the simplest historical lidelity-with no uniriendly
epitX allusions-and with no aHectation of
' pi y from my heart" or " sympathy,- as it regaixls the men al
inlirmities" v\ Inch (with eccni advantage o{ monUj on his side),
have nevertheless sometimes been "so manifest," even on the
nart of Doctor Rykkson himself. . , . , , • , ,,„
^ Siiice however this friendly consideration has been repaid by
Dublic insult ; and instead of any even implied pknitenck, there
Kas bem anattemi.t to fabricate a demonstrated mnormcc, it
becomes a painful duty to assure Doctor Rykrson that "the
leniosy" of the Dissolution, will " cleave" unto lum "forever.
" DLwn\n.r men will catch at straws ;" and now indeed I may
tralv sav that"'l pitv from my heart," the greatness of the extremity
o whTch an ind vidual mult be reduced, before he could render
KnTsefwUng toniake so desperate (so '' miscliievous-unjust
-andmrfounded") a catch at the credit of another, m order to
save himself from going down.
THE REV. G. F. PLAYTEIVS REPLY.
[Variation from Trulh.']
When the Counsel for a Pros, cution undertakes to reply to the
Dctbuce of an accused party, he is bound to cuufine lumselt to
f
43
the Terms of the Imlirtmcnt against which the acr-i^ed hashad
to plead. For example :—
No. 1. Mr. Plavtkk's or'<yinal Indictment was ia the foliovving
words : " The Committee ut home send out their Agents, and by
"the force of the most powerful appeals, the utmost iarthing
"which can he wrung iron^ the hard eannngs of the poorest
" classes of Emrllsh and Irish Wcslajar^ ^^^'-^VV.T^ ^""^ J nnlUr;
" Of the FuNDs-so coLLKCTKi) ! One Hundred Thousand Dollars
" have been sknt to Canada," and " thrown away m \\iGsupvort
of an unnccessan/ Ministry ; " "divided among teeventecn JVUn-
1STKRS, = ' Sec— See Guardian, Sep. 10, and Oct. 8.
No. 2. Mr Playtkr's " Reply," says :— " The ouestion to be
answered is, what haa the English We«leyan Missionary Society
SPENT, during the last Ir'e years, on account of lis work in Canada
West?" , , ^ ,
Thus, by unholily and unjustly changmg; the real Terms pi
the IndictrLit, he e.ideavours to escape from the di^erjd.ab e
defeat, in which, on the original terms, he has been mevitably
involved by ihe stubborn facts of our triuniphant Defence !
Cv, we have no desire to charge Mr rx^AVTEH with delibera e
falsehood in the chan-Te of the terms. We put the most charitable
Sn^ructim/npon it. ° But it will " puvzle a Philadelphia Lawyer"
To prove that it contains-^/*c truth ! This surely will be seen by
comparing Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The " fault" alleged against us was, the expending in Canada
of " British Money-English Contributions." 1 he true and rea
question therefore is, how'inuch of-sucH money-' so collected"
Itis V>epii exnended ? i
The "exaggerations" in Mr. Playter's statement consisted
in his having added to the aggregate sums, the bchool expences,
wlSlmdbeen alreadv included in those sums ; thereby charging
them against the District twice over ! The dedvct,.ons in avour of
our D^sn-ict Expenditure that are made m our Mnancial Letter,
are of items not expended upon our " Ministry," and not " ot the
Funds so collecteId." An miprejudiccd honesty will admit thia
^'^The^c'orTec'tions and deductions in that Fmancial Letter evince
that the Expenditure ofthe English Missionary Society in Western
SadI (tvSm " British money" and " Eng ish Contributions )
has been in the Canada Conference .Tournalinost disgracefully
o^'r statI^d to the amount of " Sixty-six Thousand Two Hun-
dred Dollars." „ .. . _^
The only amount " of the Fdnds so collected,", which was
actually expended "during the Five years" in U'l^.^fi""' '^ f "^
pmve rto K been but Thirty-Three Thousand Eight Hundred
dollars : or less than Six Thousand Eight Hi ndred yearly. Cer-
tahly this will not be regarded as " thrown aw^'.y" ^P^a-yiVK
iSi Mission Stations !-and on those necessitous and destitute
im.^"raiseuL?s, whose neighbourhoods would be entirely with-
om tire minTstry of God's Holy Word, were our " unnecessary"
Missionaries to be withdrawn trom them.
Mr Playter's reply, then, as a Financial document, must be
regaJded as intliriy Incorrect and flagrantly lallacious. More than
this I do not wish to say on the subject.—
I
4i
[^Failure in Argument,']
Mr. Platter, has also entirely failed to prove that it would be
a saving, ''First of Methodist Character, and ^^ccundly oi' M)s-
Bwnary Funds," for the British Conference to abandon their inter-
esting- and advancing work in Western Canada. The exact reverse
wouW be the case ! How great a bankrvptcy of Methodist
character would it be for the British Conference to abandon all those
noble-minded individuals, who are responsible for our Missionary
Churches and other ecclesiastical properly, in the conhdence that
they would be supplied with the " ministry" that they love, desire,
and prefer, and have done so much to support ! \V here also would be
our Methodist Character, after abandoning the spiritual children that
Gcd hath given us in this Colony, and the scattering of our Con-
gregations, and Societies, many of which it is notorious could not be
prevailed upon to unite themselves with the Canada Conference ?
And then, as to the " Funds." Ig it not obvious that the
"Western Canada burden on ihe funds "raised in the Mother
country," has fiom the beginning been annually diminishriis?
At this moment it is far less than it was during the Union of the
British and Canadian Conferences ! While on the other hand,
the Western Canada Contributions to the Funds of the English
Wesleyan Missionary Society are— by God's blessing upon our
best endeavours— 07in?mZ;?/ increasing! How absurd, in the last
degree ! to propose to save our rcpntation by doing violence to the
most sacred principles ! and to econoimzp financially, by the aban-
donment of & diminishing expenditure and an avgmcnting income!
[^Amende.']
So far as Mr. Flatter himself is concerned, it is gratifying
that he has in his reply borne a candid and respectiul testimony
to the high principle and truly honourable character ot the British
Conference ; against whom nevertheless he has unhappily written
BO many vituperative and slanderous sentences I The following
are his words : —
"I wrote those articles, not to gratify any ill-feeling towards
*'the English Conference ; for I had and have no other feeling
"towards that body of Christian and Methodist Ministers, but
•' affection and respect. I regard them as an honourable bodv of
" men. I wish all other bodies of Ministers were as noted for
^'honourable conduct. —
" • Honour's a Facred tie, llm Inw of Kings,
•• ' The noble mind's (listingnis'.iing perlecliou.' "—
It would be ungenerous not to allow our editorial assailant the
benefit of this amende, as far as it goes. Nor will we reproach
him with his former expressions regarding that same venerable
"body of Christian and Methodist Ministers;" with which how-
ever it will be very difRcult to reconcile so handsome and well
merited a coniplinieut ! But we must remind hirn that yet there
are other parties, to whom he owes a debt of reparation for hia
calumnious misrepresentations of them !— " He that corcrvth his
sins shall not prosper ; but whoso vovfrsseth and forsakolh them
shall have twcjt?/."— Provkrbs xxviii. 13.
'ii
FINIS.