s been mainly ascribed to me; and on its
result, should I cross the Atlantic, my standing, in a great measure,
depends. If our proposals should meet with a conciliatory reception, and
your Committee would recommend measures, rather than require
concessions, in the future proceedings of our Conference, everything can
be accomplished without difficulty or embarrassment. You know that I am
willing, as an individual, to adopt your whole British economy, _ex
animo_. You also know that my brothers are of the same mind, and that a
majority of the Conference will readily concur. May the Lord direct
aright!

Dr. Alder's reply to Dr. Ryerson in February, 1833, was that:

You must look at the great principles and results involved in this
most important affair, and not shrink from the duties imposed on
you, to avoid a few present unpleasant consequences. It is not for
me to prescribe rules of conduct to be observed by you, but I must
say, that I am surprised that any circumstance should cause you to
waver for a moment in reference to your visit to Europe. If you
were to decline coming, would not the many on the other side, who
are strictly watching your movements, at once say that the whole
arrangements are deceptive, and merely designed to make an
impression on me for a certain purpose. You know they would. Of
course you will act as you please. I neither advise nor persuade,
but say: Be not too soon nor too much alarmed. There are no
jealousies, no evil surmisings, no ambitious designs in the matter,
but a sincere desire to promote the interests of Methodism and the
cause of religion in Upper Canada; and nothing will be desired
from, or recommended to, you, but for this purpose.

It is a noble object that we have in view. Rev. Richard Watson
takes a statesmanlike view of the whole case, and will, I am
persuaded, as will all concerned here, meet you with the utmost
ingenuousness and liberality, and, if they be met in a similar
manner, all will end well. If you can agree to the following
recommendation, I think everything else will easily be settled,
viz., to constitute two or three districts, to meet annually, as
District Conferences, and to hold a Triennial Conference, to be
composed of all the preachers in the Provinces, under a President,
to be appointed in the way mentioned in the plan of agreement