retire, could they
effect it. But in some parts of the Province the re-union would be
opposed; and some members have said, that they would even join the
English missionaries if we were to be united with them (the Episcopals).
You are a wise man, tell us what we should do. If we do not take steps
soon, it will be entirely too late. I understand that they talk of
having a Bishop elected soon,--and should Mr. Richardson or Mr. Smith be
appointed, it would add greatly to the influence of the party; and yet I
cannot now see what steps we could safely take, until we settle the
English Union question, for they would take advantage, I fear, of such a
reconciliation, to prejudice the old country members against us.

I wish also to obtain your views upon the propriety of petitioning the
Governor-General, at once, for a share of the public money granted for
the purchase of Sabbath-school books. The sum of L150 goes into the
hands of Dr. Strachan annually, for that purpose; and where is it? We
are never benefited a farthing by it! Could we obtain one-half, or even
one-third of the sum for our schools, it would be of great service to
them.[b]

[b] I have no copy of the reply sent to this letter. The letter itself,
however, shows what subjects were being discussed in Methodist circles
in 1842.

[131] Epochs of Canadian Methodism, pages 292-294.

[132] Dr. Thomas Bond, Editor of the New York _Christian Advocate_,
having suggested in December, 1842, the basis of settlement of the
differences between the English and Canadian Conferences, Rev. W. M.
Harvard wrote from Quebec to Dr. Bond, dissenting from his proposition.
Dr. Bond, in a letter to Dr. Ryerson, commenting on Mr. Harvard's
objections, thus refers to the Canadian Connexion:

The Canada Conference was sound in the faith, and well affected to
primitive Wesleyan discipline, and when it came of age, the Methodist
Episcopal Connexion allowed them, and aided them, to go to housekeeping
by themselves. We knew of no objection on either subject, when we, with
the kindest of feelings, have now hinted at the possibility of an
amicable arrangement between our British and Canadian brethren.

CHAPTER L.

1846-1854.

Miscellaneous Events and Incidents of 1846-1854.

After his return from England, Dr. Ryerson was engaged in the
preparation of his Report on a "System of Public Instruction for Upper
Canada," from which I have given extracts on page 368. In that report he
gav