g his experiences of, and reflections on, Wesleyan matters in
England at that period. Writing from Bristol, on the 6th of August,
1831, Rev. George Ryerson said:--

In my address to the Wesleyan Conference here I stated that we
stood in precisely the same relation to our brethren of the
Methodist Conference in the United States as we do to our brethren
of the Wesleyan Conference in England--independent of
either--agreeing in faith, in religious discipline, in name and
doctrine, and the unity of spirit,--but differing in some
ecclesiastical arrangements, rendered necessary from local
circumstances. I also expressed my firm conviction that the
situation in which we stand is decidedly the best calculated to
spread Methodism and vital religion in Canada. This statement did
not, I think, give so much satisfaction to the Conference as the
others, for what Pope said of Churchmen:

"Is he a Churchman? then he's fond of power,"

may also be literally applied to Wesleyan ministers, and, I may
add, to Englishmen generally. I have reason to know that they would
gladly govern us. I was, therefore, very pointed and explicit on
this subject. I rejoice that our country lies beyond the Atlantic,
and is surrounded by an atmosphere of freedom. A few months'
residence in this country would lead you to value this circumstance
in a degree that you can scarcely conceive of; and you would, with
unknown energy, address this exhortation to the Methodists and to
the people of Canada: "Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty
wherewith God's providence hath made you free, and in this abound
more and more." I also assured them of our respect and love for
them as our fathers and elder brethren, and mentioned my reasons
for giving this information to prevent future collision and
misunderstanding.

The Conference or Missionary Society have, however, not given up
their intention of establishing an Indian Mission in Upper Canada,
but, in consequence of my remonstrances, have delayed it. Brother
James Richardson's letter to the Missionary Committee, which I
submitted, and was told by Rev. Dr. Townley, one of the
Secretaries, that they would by no means withdraw their missionary
at Kingston, as it was still their intention to establish a mission
to the Indians in Upper Canada, and