parated branch of the great Methodist family is being re-united to the
parent stock in 1883. Further reference to the subject is, therefore,
unnecessary in this "Story." Nevertheless it should be remembered that
in the discussion and controversy which for years followed this event,
Dr. Ryerson occupied a foremost place as the champion on the Wesleyan
Methodist side.

* * * * *

FOOTNOTES:

[44] This gentleman entered the Methodist Church in 1827, joined the
Church of England in 1854, and was for many years a minister of a
congregation in the Province of Quebec. He died in 1881.

CHAPTER XIII.

1834-1835.

Second Retirement from the "Guardian" Editorship.

As already intimated in Chapter xi., the publication of Dr. Ryerson's
"Impressions" of England, etc., in the _Guardian_ of 1833, excited quite
a political and social sensation. Public men of all shades of opinion
had their feelings at once enlisted for or against the Editor of that
paper, and condemned or commended his course accordingly.

Such a result did not cause much immediate concern to Dr. Ryerson. He,
as Editor, claimed from the first, and his opponents outside of the
Connexion admitted, that in battling for religious equality and
denominational rights, he should be left untrammelled. In other words,
that as Editor of a leading paper like the _Guardian_, he should be left
free to counsel, to advise and warn, and, if necessary, to take strong
ground on all questions involving purely civil rights, and the
constitutional exercise of the prerogative on the part of the Executive.
This was the more necessary, as civil and religious freedom were largely
identical in those days of undefined prerogative, irresponsible
government, and inchoate institutions.

All parties, therefore, tacitly conceded what the Editor of the
_Guardian_ claimed--a wide latitude and a reasonable discretion in
discussing questions of the day which involved either civil rights or
religious freedom. This wise discretion was the more necessary from the
fact that the _Guardian_ was unquestionably the leading newspaper during
these years, and was edited with more than ordinary ability and
power.[45]

Besides, there were many thoughtful men who took little part in
politics, and yet who looked with alarm on the claims and encroachments
of the Family Compact,--a powerful and influential party, and dominant
alike in church and state. Many of the able p