argument against their present employment or
usefulness. They have learned that the Apostles were once
fishermen; that a Milner could once throw the shuttle; that a
Newton once watched his mother's flock.... They are likewise
charged with "preaching the Gospel out of idleness." Does the
Archdeacon claim the attribute of omniscience? Does he know what is
in man? How does he know that they preach "the Gospel out of
idleness?" ... What does he call idleness?--the reading of one or
two dry discourses every Sabbath ... to one congregation, with an
annual income of L200 or L300?... No; this is hard labour; this is
indefatigable industry!... Who are they then that preach the Gospel
out of idleness?--those indolent, covetous men who travel from two
to three hundred miles, and preach from twenty-five to forty times
every month?--who, in addition to this, visit from house to house,
and teach young and old repentance towards God, and faith in our
Lord Jesus Christ?--those who continue this labour year after year
... at the enormous salary of L25 or L50 per annum?--these are the
men who "preach the Gospel out of idleness!" O bigotry! thou
parent of persecution; O envy! thou fountain of slander; O
covetousness! thou god of injustice! would to heaven ye were
banished from the earth![36]

* * * * *

_Jan. 22nd, 1831._--In the _Guardian_ of this day Dr. Ryerson publishes
a letter from the Rev. Richard Watson to the trustees of the Wesleyan
University, in Connecticut, declining the appointment of Professor of
_Belles Lettres_ and Moral Philosophy. He says:--

To _Belles Lettres_ I have no pretensions; Moral Philosophy I have
studied, and think it a most important department, when kept upon
its true principles, both theological and philosophic. Being,
however, fifty years old, and having a feeble constitution, I do
not think it would be prudent in me to accept.

During this year (1831) Dr. Ryerson engaged in a friendly controversy
with Vicar-General Macdonnell, Editor of the _Catholic_, published in
Kingston. This controversy included six letters from Dr. Ryerson, and
five from the Vicar-General, published in the _Christian Guardian_. It
touched upon the leading questions at issue between Roman Catholics and
Protestants. The correspondence was broken off by the Vicar-General.

FO