d so long and so earnestly
contended. (See page 452.)

Besides, Dr. Ryerson was anxious to fulfil the engagement made with the
Kingston Society that he would resume his pastoral charge there, after
his return from England in June, 1837. He was, however, repeatedly
pressed by his friends to write for the _Guardian_, or other newspaper,
on the vital questions of the day. In reply to his brother John, who had
urged him in the matter, he wrote (March, 1838) saying that he was so
happily engaged in his pastoral duties at Kingston that he could not
then devote the necessary time to the discussion of public questions.
His brother, in remonstrating with him on the subject, said:--

Your letter affords me great satisfaction, accompanied with sorrow.
I am afflicted to think of the state the Province is in. Never did
high-churchism take such rapid strides towards undisputed
domination in this country as it is now taking. Never were the
prospects of the friends of civil and religious liberty so gloomy
and desperate as they are now. You say that you have not time to
write on these subjects. I will say, if you had, it would not now,
I fear, accomplish much. Indeed, it would, require the undeviating
course and the whole weight of the _Guardian_ to accomplish
anything at this time, so completely is all moral power in the
country enervated and liberty prostrated.

It is a great blessing that Mackenzie and radicalism are down, but
we are in imminent danger of being brought under the domination of
a military and high-church oligarchy, which would be equally bad,
if not infinitely worse. Under the blessing of Providence there is
one remedy, and only one; and that is, for you to take the
editorship of the _Guardian_ again. Several preachers have spoken
to me on this subject lately. One of them said to me (and he could
think of nothing else) that that alone would save us and the
country from utter ruin, and urged the necessity of the Conference
electing you, whether you would consent to serve or not. The truth
is, it is absolutely necessary for the sake of the Church and the
country that you reside in Toronto, and have direction of affairs
here. I wish all of our proceedings to be calm and moderate, but
that we be firm, and that the great principles of religious freedom
and equality should be uncompromisingly ma