nd so promptly and energetically did he denounce the "arch-apostate
Egerton, _alias_ Arnold, Ryerson" as a deserter, that he secured with
little difficulty an impromptu verdict from the public against him. This
he the more readily accomplished, by the aid of at least half a dozen
editors of newspapers in various parts of the province, while Dr.
Ryerson was single-handed. Not only did these editors join with great
vigour in the hue and cry against Dr. Ryerson (for they had many scores
of their own to settle with their powerful rival), but many of Dr.
Ryerson's own brethren were carried away by the sudden outburst of
passion against him. Hundreds of the supporters of the _Guardian_ turned
from him, as a deserter, and many gave up the paper.

It is true that the tide soon turned; and those who had refused at first
to heed, or even to listen to, the words of warning uttered by Dr.
Ryerson in this crisis, were afterwards glad to profit by them, and thus
saved themselves in time from the direful consequences which followed
during the sad events of 1837-38.

The effect, however, of that severe and unexpected encounter with
irrational prejudice (joined to the hostility of those whose plans were
prematurely disclosed and frustrated) was too much for one who, as a
Christian minister and a lover of his country, was filled with higher
aims than those of a mere politician.

In the course of the discussion which followed, Dr. Ryerson came into
contact with some of the more unreasoning of his brethren. (See pages
130-133.) The question was raised as to how far the _Guardian_ should be
involved in conflicts like the present, which from their very nature
introduced an apple of discord into the Connexion, as they partook more
of a political than of a religious character. This question was pressed
upon members of the Conference by the British Missionaries, whose
national prejudices and political sensibilities were, as they alleged,
wounded by the adverse strictures of the Editor of the _Guardian_ on
Church Establishments, the Clergy Reserve question, and kindred topics.

Knowing the impossibility of reconciling views so opposite as those
expressed by the British Missionaries and those of the great majority of
Canadian Methodists (as represented by the _Guardian_), Dr. Ryerson
resolved to retire from the editorship. This, by a vote of his brethren
in the Conference of 1834, he was not permitted to do. But, like a wise
and prudent counse