mitten with death on the premises, and died
before they could be removed. These shocks did not help my already
shaken nerves to regain their tone. Otherwise the Conference was a
memorable success. I shall have some of my heart with you in
Montreal. I trust you will have a blessed Conference, and will be
able to get some solution of the transfer question, and some
approach to a scheme for connexional superintendency on a broad,
practical basis, thus strengthening the two weak places of your
present system.

On the 31st August, 1878, Rev. Dr. Wood addressed the following note to
Dr. Ryerson:--

Thirty-one years ago, when appointed by the British Conference to
the office of General Superintendent of Missions in the Canada
Conference, I forwarded to your address some testimonials which my
brethren presented to me when giving up the chair of the New
Brunswick District. I now enclose to you the resignation of my
office as one of the General Secretaries of the Missionary Society,
which you can either present personally, or hand over to the
President. I have very pleasant recollections of the past
associations, especially in the early years of the Union of 1847,
to which you gave invaluable assistance in the working out of its
principles, which have resulted in the present wonderful
enlargement of the Methodist Church.

As was his custom, Rev. Dr. Punshon sent to Dr. Ryerson a kind note at
the New Year of 1879. Speaking of Methodist affairs in England he
says:--

The new year has dawned gloomily enough with us in England. I never
knew such protracted commercial depression. In spite of all,
however, Church enterprises are projected, and we have started our
Connexional Thanksgiving Fund auspiciously, both so far as spirit
and money go. It is proposed to raise L200,000 at least, and some
are sanguine enough to think, if times mend, that a good deal more
will be raised. There never was a meeting in Methodism like the one
at City Road. It was an All-day meeting. The first hour was spent
in devotional exercises, and then the contributions flowed in
without pressure, ostentation, or shame. We are beginning the
Circuit Meetings next week. Our Brixton one is fixed for Monday
evening, but the cream of our subscriptions was announced at City
Road. Dr. Rigg makes a good Pr