both left Canada this year. If things in the province do not go on
better with us he will do so another year. I have seen the new
constitution which is about to be adopted by the British Parliament
for the future Government of Canada. I do not approve of it. To
interfere any more in civil contentions will be wasting the best
part of my life to little purpose, for there seems to be no end to
such things. To remain in Canada and be silent, will incur the
hostility of both parties. The government will regard my neutrality
as opposition, and the popular party will view it as indifference
to the rights of the people; and, in such circumstances, I shall
neither be useful nor happy. While, therefore, I am on good terms
with the Government and the country at large, my brother thinks
with me that it is by all means best to withdraw from such scenes.
I have the offer of one of the three or four largest Methodist
Chapels in New York. I shall be appointed to one of the largest and
most elegant in the city, where all the great public meetings are
held. There are, however, three or four vacant, equally desirable.
I much prefer this to my taking a district in Canada. I would not
return to the _Guardian_ again for any earthly consideration.

Dr. Ryerson went to the Conference at Belleville after his return from
Baltimore. Writing from there, he said:--

Previously to proceeding to elect the Secretary, an English brother
remarked that he had certain communications from the Committee in
London, which he wished to read. I observed that no communications could
be read until the Conference was organized, and the Conference could not
be organized until the Secretary was elected. The brother persevered,
and then stated that the documents referred to me. I then arose, and
observed that the proceeding was at variance with law, Methodism, and
justice. The Conference was justly roused to indignation by my remarks,
which were followed by some observations from my brother John, in the
same strain. Not a man spoke in favour of the English brother's
proceeding, and he was compelled to withdraw his proposal. Such an
anti-Methodistic and barbarous attempt to sacrifice me (as some of the
preachers afterwards expressed it), excited a strong feeling in my
favour, and, I was told, increased my majority of votes for the
Secretaryship. When the Conference balloted f