to them in the columns of that paper. In 1828, his circuit was
in the Newcastle district, and the person who made these attacks resided
in Haldimand, about eight miles east of Cobourg. Among other things,
this man said that Dr. Ryerson "read seditious newspapers at his house,
on the Sabbath day!" In reply, Dr. Ryerson said:--

As my plan of labour prevented me from reaching this person's
locality until Sunday evening, and then preach in the Church there,
it would be impossible for me to do as he has alleged. Were I to
have done so, I would be unworthy of the society of Christian men.
But the author of this libel, which was published by him four years
after the alleged circumstance took place, was defeated as a
candidate for the House of Assembly, on account of a personal
attack which he made upon me at the hustings! _Hinc illae lucrymae._
This person also said that I "hoped yet to see the walls of the
Church of England levelled to the dust." In my reply to this I
said:--I solemnly declare that I never uttered such a sentiment,
nor have I cherished any hostility to the Church of England. Some
of my friends desired me to take orders in the Church of England
[see page 41]; and a gentleman (now an Episcopal clergyman) was
authorized by the late Bishop of Quebec to request me to make an
appointment to see him on his then contemplated tour through the
Niagara District, where I was travelling. After mature, and I
trust, prayerful deliberation, I replied by letter declining the
proposals made, at the same time appreciating the kindness and
partiality of my friends. A short time afterwards, I met the friend
who had been the medium of this communication from the late Dr.
Stewart. He was deeply affected at my decision. When I assigned my
religious obligation to the Methodists as a reason for declining
the offer, he replied that all of his own religious feelings had
also been derived from them, but he thought the Church required our
labours.

Some person having written, professedly from Kingston, a diatribe
against Dr. Ryerson, in the London (Eng.) _Standard_, Rev. Robert Alder
replied to it, and apprised him of the fact:--

An attack having been made on you in a letter from Kingston, and
inserted in the _Standard_, I have been stirred up to write in your
defence. I expect also to have