are deserving of the
highest praise.
The work is prospering in the different parts of this District. Niagara
and Ancaster Circuits are rising. There is a good work in Oxford, on the
Long Point Circuit, as also on the London and Westminster Circuits. The
Indian Mission, on the Grand River, is progressing finely. At the Salt
Springs, about thirty have been added to the Society, among whom are
some of the most respectable chiefs of the Mohawk and Tuscarora nations.
Visiting them, from wigwam to wigwam, they in general appear to be
thankful.--H.]
The Ryanite controversy turned chiefly on the refusal at first of the
American General Conference to separate the Canada work from its
jurisdiction. Rev. John Ryerson, in a letter from Pittsburg, Pa., dated
May, 1828, gave Dr. Ryerson the particulars of the reversal of that
decision. He says:--
A Committee of five persons has been appointed on the Canada Question.
Dr. Bangs is the chairman. The Committee reported last Thursday
pointedly against the separation; declaring it, in their opinion, to be
unconstitutional. Dr. Bangs brought the report before the Conference,
and made a long speech against the separation. William and myself
replied to him pointedly, and at length, and were supported by the Rev.
Drs. Fisk and Luckey. Dr. Bangs was supported by Rev. Messrs. Henings,
Lindsey, and others. The matter was debated with astonishing ability and
deep-felt interest on both sides, for two days, when the question being
put, there were 105 in favour of the separation, and 43 against--a
majority on our side of 62. Our kind friends were much delighted, and
highly gratified at our singular and remarkable triumph; and those who
opposed us, met us with a great deal of respect and affection. You will,
doubtless, be surprised on hearing of Dr. Bangs' opposing us as he has
done, but you are not more surprised and astonished than we were; and we
had no knowledge of his opposition to the separation until the morning
of the debate, when he got up and commenced his speech in Conference.
But, blessed be God for ever, amidst the painful and trying scenes
through which we have passed in the Conference business, the God of
David has stood by us, and has given us a decided victory.
_Nov. 22nd._--Elder Case, in a letter from Cobourg, gives a detailed
account of the efforts put forth by Rev. Henry Ryan to foment discord
among the societies. He says:
As in the west so in the east, Elder Ryan had i
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