d are becoming quite discontented and out of patience. They
complained bitterly to me of your long absence, and were anxious to
have me stay with them until you return.

CHAPTER XIX.

1837-1839.

Return to Canada.--The Chapel Property Cases.

In this part of the "Story" of his life, Dr. Ryerson has only left the
following sentence:--At the Conference held after my return to Canada,
in June, I declined re-election as Editor of the _Christian Guardian_,
having promised my Kingston brethren, from whom I had been suddenly
removed in November, 1835, that I would remain with them at least one
year on my return from England.

After Conference, Dr. Ryerson (with Rev. E. Healy) attended as a
deputation to the Black River Conference. He said:--

The Conference was presided over by Bishop Hedding, who, in strong
and affecting language, expressed his feelings of respect and love
for our Connexion in Canada. In reply, I reiterated the expression
of our profound respect and affection for our honoured friend and
father in the Gospel; by the imposition of whose hands, I, and
several other brethren in Canada, have been set apart to the Holy
Ministry. After my return to Kingston, brother Healy and I received
from the Black River Conference a complimentary resolution in
regard to our visit. In enclosing it to me, Rev. Jesse T. Peck, the
Secretary [afterwards Bishop], said:--Allow me humbly, but
earnestly, to beg a continuance of that friendship with you, which
in its commencement has afforded me so much pleasure.

In August of this year, 1837, the celebrated trial of the Waterloo
Chapel case[50] took place before Mr. Justice Macaulay, at the Kingston
Assizes, and a verdict was given against the Wesleyan Methodists. It was
subsequently appealed to the Court of King's Bench, at Toronto. Three
elaborate judgments were delivered on the case. Rev. John Ryerson was a
good deal exercised as to the ill effects, upon the connexional church
property, of Judge Macaulay's adverse decision. In a letter to Dr.
Ryerson, he said:--

We are much troubled and perplexed, here in Toronto, about the
Waterloo Chapel case. I saw the Attorney-General on the subject
to-day. When Judge Macaulay's judgment is published, I hope you
will carefully review the whole matter, and lay the thing before
the public in such a way as to produce conviction. Everybody