t memorable in the Methodistic history of Upper
Canada, for three things: 1st. The final retirement of Dr. Ryerson from
the editorship of the _Christian Guardian_; 2nd. Visit of Revs. William
and Egerton Ryerson to England, and the painful, yet fruitless,
discussions with a Committee of the British Conference on the lapsed
Union; 3rd. The annual and special Canada Conferences of that year--at
the latter of which the formal separation of the British and Canadian
sections of the Conference took place under peculiarly affecting
circumstances.

Dr. Ryerson and his brother John attended the American General
Conference at Baltimore, May, 1840. In a letter from there he said:--

The Methodist Connexion here are much in advance of us, and, as a
whole, even of the British Connexion. I have never seen a more
pious, intelligent, and talented body of men than the preachers
assembled here at Conference; nor more respectable, intelligent
congregations. The manners of the people in these Middle States are
very like the manners of intelligent people in Upper Canada--alike
removed from the English haughtiness and Yankee coldness--simple,
frank, and unaffected. Bishops Roberts, Soule, Hedding and Waugh
dined with us to-day. They are venerable and apostolic men. We have
had cordial invitations to come to this country, and did we consult
our own comfort, brother John and I would do so without hesitation.
Bishop Hedding hopes to visit us at our approaching Conference.
Rev. R. Newton, of England, will not visit Canada. Mr. ---- has
told him that it was not worth while to go to Canada; and all that
can be said to induce him to come is unavailing. We in Canada are
not worth so much trouble, or notice!

In a letter from Baltimore, dated May 25th, 1840, Dr. Ryerson states the
reason why he proposed to leave Canada:--

I am still at the General Conference. Rev. Dr. Bangs says that I
ought to remain until the close. After much consideration I have
decided upon a step which, for many reasons, appears desirable.
Instead of coming to this country for a few months, in order to
avail myself of some collegiate lectures, to pursue certain
branches of science, I have concluded and have made arrangements to
take a station in the city of New York for one, if not for two
years. My brother John would have done the same if we could have