Stranica 40 [40]
OCR
William Smith. He was a good preacher, plain, clear, chaste, strong, and energetic. A portion of his family settled in South Crosby. Priest Brown was the grandfather of the Rev. William Brown, of the M. E. Church, Rufus Brown, and Cephus Brown, and the great-grandfather of Arthur Brown, School Inpector of Dundas, and Dr. Brown, of Morrisburg. In Wolford, the first building erected expressly as a place of worship, was the old chapel near the residence of Joseph Ferguson, Esq., commenced in 1820. The second was the Cox Chapel, built principally by aman of that name, but deeded to the Methodist Church. Among the first missionaries to visit the Rideau, were Coates, Losee, and Dr. Bangs. They were succeeded by the venerable Case, Whitehead, Jeffers, and others. In the latter part of 1822, the late venerable Healey, after many difficulties, found his way to the Rideau Circuit. While moving out with his family, night overtook them, and they were forced to take up lodgings at the foot of atree. It is related that, upon one occasion, he was compelled to hold service in a shanty, which served the purpose of kitchen, dining-room, chapel and stable, his horse being fed at one end of the room. The service commenced, and much to the astonishment of the worshipers, the beast stopped eating, and did not take another mouthful until the benediction was pronounced. Samuel Coate, whose life was characterized by a glowing enthusiasm and tireless activity, entered Canada in 1796; removed to the United States, and returned again in 1804. He married Miss Dulmage, a person of remarkable beauty, and, ever after, husband and wife were known as the “ handsome pair." Among the early local preachers in Brockville, was Luther Houghton, still a hale old gentleman, and a resident of that town. Elder Ryan began the agitation for separation from the American Church, and circulated petitions to that effect, to be presented at the Conference of 1828. Tohim is due the honor of adopting as a watchword, " Loyal Methodism against Republican Methodism.” In his crusade, Ryan was _ nobly seconded by Captain Breakenridge, who joined with him in holding conventions and circulating petitions. Breakenridge visited the General Conference with Ryan, but the petitions were not received. One of the arguments adduced by Ryan, in favor of the separation, is worthy of more than a passing notice. It was that the Government regarded the alliance with dislike, and refused to grant power to Methodist ministers to solemnize marriages, though it had made valid, by an Act passed at the Second Session of the Upper Canada Parliament, “ marriages by magistrates, commanding officers of a other public office or employment.” After that date, marriages were to be solemnized by magisor none living within eighteen miles of either person to be married. The result of the action of the Conference was that Ryan, and a limited number of followers, mostly along the Bay of Quinte and in the Johnstown District, separated from the Church, and formed a new body, called the “Canadian Wesleyan Methodist Church ;” but at the General Conference which assembled at Pittsburg, in May, 1828, the memorial from Canada was considered and granted, thus terminating the discussion. In 1802, Father Vannest made a journey from Bastard to the Rideau settlement, through the woods. On the shore of the Rideau River, he found an Indian encamped, who asked for some tobacco, which was given to him. The next morning, the Indian brought a leg of venison, remarking: “You um, you eat um ; you welcome—’bacco.” This savage drew a sketch with a stick, on the sand, showing the lakes, rivers, and carrying places to the Castle of the tribe, one thousand miles distant. hundred miles, a crooked finger for fifty, and a finger across the crooked one for twenty-five miles. Among the lay celebrities on the St. Lawrence. were Alexander Rose, of Williamsburg ; Paul Glassford, of Matilda; and Colonel Stone, of Gananoque, all of whom kept open houses for the travelling ministers. In 1811, Bishop Asbury paid a visit to Canada, crossing the St. Lawrence at Cornwall. He proceeded westward, calling on Paul Glassford, of Matilda, Father Dulmage, and the Hecks. One night was spent with David Breakenridge, at his residence. near Maitland. Service was held in Elizabethtown, at Lyn, where the Bishop was entertained by Brother Boyce (father of Mr. David Boyce.) At Gananoque he was warmly welcomed by Colonel Stone. From that point he journeyed to Elias Dulmage’s, and thence to the Bay of Quinte. Among the soldiers of the Cross was John Reynolds, born in the Township of Oxford, and an assistant on the Augusta Circuit, in 1808, but better known as “Bishop Reynolds,” who headed one of the largest disruptions from the Methodist body that ever occurred in Upper Canada. The labors of Wyatt Chamberlain are recorded a vanik + ; a Chee ri a 4) = — 7 a fe > al beg kriksszündtdtatai Hi allied iamaimetet — lt ún üss 7 my Pe = hip itis ges | wil ti a a a J
