ministerial brethren. One of these was Rev. John Black, in the Bay of
Quinte District,--a quaint, but true and warm-hearted man. In inviting
him to take part in the Quarterly Meeting services, at Napanee, Mr.
Black indulges in a little playful satire, as follows:--

It appears that there are some amongst us here whom we dare not
number amongst your friends, and who prophesied that you would
never return from England--that you dare not, etc. Now we wish to
afford them living proof of their vanity in prophesying, by your
presence amongst them. Besides, on the other hand, the good-hearted
brethren amongst us greatly rejoiced on hearing of your successful
mission to England, and they wish to see and hear you once more.

Somewhat in Rev. John Black's spirit of kindly raillery, Rev. John C.
Davidson, of Hallowell, in inviting Dr. Ryerson to take part in a
Camp-meeting (and after mentioning several inducements), said:--

I would mention another inducement for you to come, viz.: the
multiplicity of warm friends and virulent enemies you have on this
circuit. Your presence and preaching will afford pleasure and
profit to your friends, and will very much tend, in my opinion, to
disarm the groundless prejudice entertained by many others against
you.

In a more serious letter to Dr. Ryerson, dated Cobourg, 16th November,
1837, Rev. Anson Green gives expression to a general feeling of
uneasiness and distrust which prevailed everywhere in the country at
that time:--

I pity you most sincerely. You have a storm about your ears that
you must bear, if you do not bow before it. In these perilous times
a man scarcely knows what to advise. I fear that destruction
awaits us on either hand. With the Radicals we are Tories; and with
the Tories we are Rebels. It is said by the Rebels here that they
have money enough, and men enough, and guns enough, and that the
plans are so laid that there can be no mistake. The Government
appears to be in possession of these facts. Thus far the
proceedings of the Rebels do not show much wisdom, or skill, in
laying plans, or in executing them. I am mistaken if they stop
short of a civil war.

I very much regret that you should be under the necessity of coming
in contact with Governor Head in any one thing. I could not be a
rebel; my conscience and religion forbid it; and,