Colonial relations, we
have reason to plead for concessions of equality of rights and
privileges which would never be granted in the Mother Country. In
that respect I do not dissent from the spirit of the resolutions.
But I more and more think and feel that there is a middle path of
respectful deference to the principle of an establishment even in
the Colonies, which, so modified, would not be injurious, but
rather helpful, to our good cause,--and which is a vantage ground
on which none of our enemies could touch us. It is true, that from
Wesleyan high quarters you have had encouragement to believe an
independent stand against Church domination would not be
disapproved; yet even there a denial of the principle of an
establishment (or that the Government should profess some one form
of Christianity, with equal privileges to other Christians) would
meet with reprobation; and if not, who does not see, if we take
that anti-Wesleyan ground, it may involve the question of Wesleyan
consistency on our part, while at the same time it would be in
danger of throwing our people into the arms of the
Radical-popish-infidel faction, where they will, bear like, be
hugged till the breath of piety is pressed out of them. Of course,
it would drive away from our congregations many of those pious or
well-disposed Church people who occasionally mingle with and derive
good from us. It was Mr. Wesley's conviction that the Methodists
were in part raised up to spread scriptural holiness in the Church
of England, as well as in the world at large. I must repeat my
wish, that you had yielded to my suggestion to admit into the
resolution the phrases, "that the principle of an establishment
should be so administered in this Province as to secure perfect
equality of rights and privileges among all other communities."

You may have ulterior views which I am too short-sighted to
perceive. But I am fully convinced, that if the _Guardian_ does not
save us from identification with dissent from the Church of England
at this crisis, the real friends of our Zion will bitterly deplore
it another day.[97]

Here was a broad and distinct declaration of principle, as fully in
harmony with the views of the dominant party as they were entirely
opposed to those held by the Canadian Conference party. They