u had better remain undisturbed until
next Conference.

_Feby. 20th._--Rev. William Ryerson, in a kind letter from St.
Catharines, said:--

The spirit and feeling displayed in your most interesting letter
has made the deepest impression on my mind. I know that you have
your own difficulties and troubles, yet they do not appear to
prevent the outflow of your sympathy for others. How sincerely do I
pray that the God of mercy and truth may graciously support you
under all your trials and difficulties, and in His good time bring
you out of them, purified as gold. I am exceedingly fearful that we
shall have more, and great difficulties, at our next Conference.
Every article and word in the _Guardian_ is criticised and noted,
and made the subject of a large and constant correspondence,
especially with the local preachers, in different parts of the
Province. We shall be much embarrassed about the editorship of the
_Guardian_. Perhaps Providence will point out some suitable person
should you retire.

_May 27th._--In the _Guardian_ of this date, Dr. Ryerson again gave
expression to his long-cherished desire to retire from the editorial
management of that paper. He did so for reasons already given--

Besides (he said) it was the understanding entered into with the
Conference of 1834, when I consented to undertake the duty of
editor for one year. It is gratifying to notice that the
vituperation of party interest and malevolence are nearly, if not
quite, spent. I have, in this and the last two numbers of the
_Guardian_, endeavoured to leave nothing for my successor to settle
on that score. My editorial career in the past has been during an
eventful and agitated period of our Provincial history. I have
steadily endeavoured to keep one object in view--the promotion of
Christianity and the prosperity of the country. In severing my
connection with a large portion of the reading public, I am moved
with feelings not easily expressed. My interest in the cause which
I have advocated, and in the general welfare of my native Province
(which has been intense for years past), will not be less so in any
future fields of labour.

When it was found that Dr. Ryerson had finally decided to retire from
the editorship of the _Guardian_, various suggestions were made to him
as to his future field o