as the wise and
fatherly counsels which he frequently gave me soon allayed my
fears, and led me to regard it rather as a privilege than a cross
to have him for a hearer.[113] Would that every young preacher had
such a kind and sympathizing superintendent!

Hon. William Macdougall also bears testimony to the kindness which he
experienced from Dr. Ryerson at this period. He says:

About the year 1840, I was living in the township of Vaughan, and
like other boys of the same class and age, devoting my winters to
school, and my summers to the healthful exercise of the farm. My
father was a good farmer, pretty well-to-do, and I, being the
eldest son, was second in command. He had purchased two or three
uncleared lots in the same township, one of which was designed for
me. I was fond of books, and possessed some good ones, besides I
had made diligent use of a circulating library in the
neighbourhood. We took in a political newspaper, an agricultural
monthly, and the _Christian Guardian_. At this point of my career I
met Dr. Ryerson. He came into our neighbourhood to attend a
missionary meeting, and stopped at my father's house. I was asked
to go with him to his next appointment. We were thus alone together
for some hours. On the way we chatted about temperance, history,
politics, education, etc. The rebellion of 1837, and the political
questions that grew out of it still agitated the public mind. He
spoke of Mackenzie and Rolph; of Baldwin and Bidwell; of Sir
Francis Head and the Family Compact. I discovered that he admired
Bidwell, but disliked Mackenzie. He took much pains to explain to
me some points in reference to the clergy reserve and rectory
questions, and seeing that I was an appreciative listener, he asked
me if I would like to be a politician. I said I would, if I thought
I could overturn the Family Compact, secure the clergy reserves for
education, and drive the Hudson Bay Company out of the North-West.
He looked at me for a moment with an amused expression. The last
plank of my platform seemed to arouse his curiosity. The Hudson Bay
Company and its affairs had not then attracted much notice. He
asked me why I desired to drive out the Hudson Bay Company. I
replied that I had read a lecture by Hon. R. B. Sullivan, on
immigration and the movement o