Wednesday, 8th. — The Conference closed its session this afternoon, and the preachers started for their allotted spheres of labour. Very important decisions were made at this Conference, viz: an amicable separation of the Canadian Confer- ence from the United States, and the formation of a new revised constitution for our Church, suited to our people, as British subjects. The form of Church government was after that of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. The Rev. Wm. Case was chosen General Superintendent for the time being, until a Bishop was obtained. He was also appointed Superintendent of Missions. The following were the Missionaries appointed :—
Grand River — Rev. Jos. Messmore. |
River Credit — Geo. Ryerson. |
Lake Simcoe — John Beatty. |
Rice Lake — H. Biggar. |
Grape Island — Wm. Smith. |
Travelling Missionary — Peter Jones. |
Friday, 10th. — Went over to Grape Island, and found the Indian brethren pretty well.
Saturday, 11th. — Assisted brother Case in setting the Indian brothers to work — some in digging potatoes and others at ploughing, and the whole island assumed the appearance of a hive of bees busy at work. What a change! A few months ago these very people were a poor drunken lazy people. The Gospel indeed performs wonders.
Sunday 12th. — At 11 I preached to our Indian brethren from 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. Brother Waldron gave a word of exhortation to the whites present, many of whom were melted into tears, and were desirous to know what they must do to be saved. I was greatly delighted in seeing the power of Divine truth upon one of the Sunday school girls by the name of Mary Beaver. As a class of girls were reading the xiv. chap, of John.