were
perfectly sincere, too, and were uttered by one of the most moderate,
and yet most thoroughly representative agents of the British Missionary
party in this Province. It can be easily seen how tempting an
opportunity it was for the ruling party to foster this feeling amongst
the English Missionary section of Methodists, by strong appeals to their
well-known loyalty--their respect and love for the old mother-church,
which John Wesley so venerated. Even condescension and flattery were
employed. _The Church_ and other newspapers made appeals with tact and
ability[98] (see page 236); the Lieutenant Governor himself took the
trouble to address a letter on the subject direct to the Missionary
Committee in London, and Archdeacon Strachan never failed to single out
for respectful mention and commendation the representatives of the
British Missionary party in Canada, as distinguished from the "disloyal
and republican section of the Methodists."[99]

Referring to this period, Rev. John Ryerson, in his Historical
Recollections of Methodism (as annotated by Dr. Ryerson) informs us
that--

After aiding to suppress the rebellion, the _Guardian_ resumed the
discussion of the clergy reserve question, and insisted that it
should be settled. But nothing was farther from the thoughts of Dr.
Strachan and Sir George Arthur. They contended that the mooting of
the question at such a time was evidence of disloyalty on the part
of those who were endeavouring to despoil the Church of its lawful
rights. The Editor of the _Guardian_ (Dr. Ryerson) was threatened
with personal violence, with prosecution, and banishment. Yet the
_Guardian_ kept on the even tenor of its way; and in proportion to
the fury of the monopolists, did the Editor increase his exertions
to wrest from them their unjust gains. Then the oppressors of equal
rights, seeing that nothing else would do, called into requisition
the old craft to divide the Methodists, or, by other influences, to
coercively control them.

Sir George Arthur, the amanuensis of Dr. Strachan in these matters,
wrote to the Missionary Committee in London of the evil and
disturbing doings of the _Guardian_, and called on them for their
interference. This flattering appeal received a very complimentary
reply. The Committee also wrote to their missionary agents in
Canada, directing them to interpose and arr