e affectionate and flattering invitation of the Canada
Conference. I feel, however, the influence of contrary emotions. My high
sense of the honour you have done me, is enhanced by the consideration
that "the nomination was unanimous and warm." I highly appreciate, and
cordially reciprocate those warm and concurrent expressions of
confidence and affection. The information I have of the character of the
Conference, joined with my personal acquaintance with some of its
members, convinces me, that whoever superintends the Canada Church,
will have a charge that will cheer his heart, and hold up his hands in
his official labours. Equally encouraging and inviting, are the growing
prospects of your country and your Church, and especially of your
missionary stations. These to a man of missionary enterprise, who loves
to bear the banner of the cross, and push its victories more and more
upon the territories of darkness and sin, are motives of high and almost
irresistible influence. And they have so affected my mind, that although
my local attachments to the land of my fathers, and for that branch of
the Church where I was, and have been nurtured, are strong; although my
aged parents lean upon me to support their trembling steps, as they
descend to the tomb; although I might justly fear the influence of your
climate upon an infirm constitution; yet these considerations,
strengthened as they are by a consciousness of my own inability, and by
the almost unanimous dissuasives of my friends, would hardly of
themselves have induced me to decline your invitation, were it not that
I am connected with a literary institution that promises much advantage
to the Church and to the public, but which, as yet, will require close
and unremitting attention and care on my part for some time to come, to
give it that direction and permanency which will secure its
usefulness.[22]

_Nov. 28th, 1828._--Mr. H. C. Thompson, of Kingston, who had charge of
the re-printing in pamphlet form of Dr. Ryerson's recent letters on
Archdeacon Strachan's sermon, writes to him to say:--It lingers in the
press, merely for the want of workmen, who cannot be procured in this
place.[23] He adds:--The changes which have recently taken place in the
two provinces cannot fail to gratify every lover of his country, though
the party in power will no doubt hang their heads in sullen silence. I
am highly pleased with the Methodist Ministers' Address to the Governor,
and the repl