This union was of comparatively short duration. Mrs. Ryerson died
on the 31st of January, 1832, at the early age of 28. (See the latter
part of Chapter ix.)

CHAPTER VII.

1828-1829.

Ryanite Schism--M. E. Church of Canada Organized.

There is a break in Dr. Ryerson's "Story" at this point; no record of
any of the events of his life, from August, 1828, to September, 1829,
was found among the MSS. left by him. The Editor, therefore, avails
himself of the numerous letters preserved by the venerable author, from
which he is enabled to continue a narrative, at least in part, of the
principal events in his then active life.--H.

_Hamilton, 6th Nov._--Writing at this date, from Cobourg, to Dr.
Ryerson, on the expediency of petitioning the Legislature to give the
Methodist Ministry the right to perform the marriage ceremony amongst
their own people, Elder Case, says:--

Should not the petition include all "dissenters," and the prayer be for
authority to perform the marriage rite for members of our congregations?
I would rather not have any law in our favour, but that which gives the
privilege to the Calvinists. If the Church of England is not the
established religion of this province (and who believes it is?)
"dissenters" at least, have an equal right with the Church. If numbers
and priority are to determine the right, the "dissenters" have a
superior right, for they were first here, and they are more numerous. We
cannot but feel a pious indignation at the idea, that all should not
enjoy the same privilege, in regard to marriage; and can this be the
fact when one denomination, in any sense whatever, has a control over
the marriage ceremony of another denomination?

The Ryanite Schism, which commenced in 1824, is fully described by Dr.
Ryerson in his "Epochs of Canadian Methodism," pp. 247-269. In a letter
from his brother John, dated River Thames, January 28th, 1824, the
strife caused by this schism is thus referred to. Mr. Ryerson also
describes the state of the Societies in the London District during this
crisis. He said:--

I am happy to hear that Mr. Ryan's plans are defeated, and that the
measures you have adopted to frustrate his machinations against Elder
Case, have proved successful. I hope you will continue to assist and
support Elder Case, especially in this affair, and on many other
accounts he is deserving of much esteem; his disinterested exertions in
behalf of the Missionary interest in Canada,