Early Methodism in Canada, as well as in Europe and the United States, had to contend with great oppo- sition. Its most formidable foes were those who were determined upon the aggrandizement and dominancy of what they called the Established Church, although no such thing as a Church establishment had been con- stituted in those provinces by legal enactment. These would-be adherents of the Church of England were vio- lent in their hostility to Methodism, as were also the members of some other Protestant churches, to say noth- ing about the Roman Catholics. An instance of the in- tolerant spirit manifested towards the early IMethodist preachers is presented by the following facts. In 1788 Mr. James M'Carty, an adherent of Mr. Whitefield, went from the United States and settled in Earnestown, near the shore of the Bay of Qninte. Feeling it to be his duty to preach the Gospel to his neighbors, he collected them together in their little log-cabins, and dispensed to them the Word of Life. He was interfered with by parties from Kingston, who, clothed with a little brief author-
ity, caused him to be dragged from the place of worship, from his peaceful and happj^ home, and from the bosom of his family. They cast him into prison, and, after giving him some sort of a trial, sentenced him to ban- ishment from the country. He was taken away from Kingston by his persecutors, and his family saw his face no more. He is supposed to have been murdered. Mr. Neal was likewise ordered to leave the country; but the hand of God interposed, and finally he w-as al- lowed to remain, and to continue his Christian labors. The spirit of intolerance continued for many years, though, as time advanced, it manifested itself in some- what less violent forms. Lawsuits were entered against some of the early preachers for celebrating marriage be- tween the members of their own congregations, and they were ordered into exile on this account. But none of these things moved the devoted men who were sent by bishop Asbury and the New York and Genesee con- ferences. Steady to their purpose, namely, the ad- vancement of the cause of Christ, their watchword was " Onward !" At the commencement of this century, about ten years after Mr. Losee first entered Canada, the work stood as follows : 1 district, 4 circuits, 7 preachers, and 936 members.
During the next decade the increase in Church mem- bership was still more encouraging. The privations of the preachers were nearly the same, and their labors, if possible, still more arduous, because they had to extend their work yet further into the forest. Thej' had to ford dangerous streams, plod through deep swamps, and often camp out during the night in the dreary woods, with their saddle-bags for a pillow, the canopy of heaven and the foliage of the trees for covering, the faithful horse standing sentinel near his master, suffering with him from cold and hunger. Many a long and dismal night was thus spent hy these self-sacrificing men, sometimes aroiised from their brief repose by the screech- ing of owls, the howling of wolves, or the war-whoop of the savage. But the great desire of their hearts was realized^ the success of the Gospel cause. In 1810 there were 2 districts, 15 circuits, 19 preachers, and 2795 members. The Upper Canada district was placed under the direction of the Genesee Annual Conference in l8lO, and the Lower Canada district in 1811.
(Jreat success attended the preaching of the Word, and the connection continued to prosper until the occur- rence of the unhappy War of 1812. Several of the preachers appointed to Canadian circuits were prevented from entering upon their charges because the Canadian government had issued a proclamation ordering all Americans to leave the country before the 3d of July. A few of the preachers already resident determined to risk the danger of remaining ; others Avere British-born subjects, and these, with the assistance of local preach- ers, supplied the work. During the unhappy conflict, the societies sustained great loss, as will a]ipear from the statistics of the Church at the Genesee Conference of 1815, which was held shortly after peace was declared. The Canada work was reported at that Conference as follows: 2 districts, 9 circuits, 14 preachers, and 1765 members — a decrease since 1810 of 1030 members. The war-cloud having passed over, and the sunshine of peace once more shedding its benign rays upon both countries, the Genesee Conference resumed its care of the Canadian Church. But, though the two nations continued at peace, the Methodist societies Avere doomed to be agita- ted and divided by men sent out by the Enghsh Meth- odists as missionaries. The bitterness and heartburn- ings which were produced bj' the rivalry that ensued retarded to some extent the advancement of the cause in certain localities; but in the greater part of their field the American Jlethodists steadily increased in numbers, influence, and spirituality.
The year 1817 was distinguished for the most re- markable revival influence that had yet been witnessed in Canada. The Genesee Annual Conference that year was held in Elizabethtown, Upper Canada, commencing
M. E. CHURCH IN CAXADA 180 M. E. CHURCH IX CANADA
June 21, bishop George presiding. An Annual Confer- ] ence was a new thing in Canada, anil therefore great crowds of people attended the ministry of the Word, j especially on the Sabbath. The number of preachers ^ present was large, and all were anxious to build up the walls of Zion. lieligious services commenced at eight o'clock on Sabbath morning, and the Lord manifested j himself with power. Many were seeking redemption : before the hour had arrived at which the bishop was to preach, so that when he entered the house the congre- gation was aglow with the lire of divine love. II un- | dreds were present. Tlie bishop preached one of his most able and impressive sermons, and the discourse had a powerfid effect upon liis hearers. The services con- tinued all day with but little intermission, and it was not until late in the evening that the people dispersed. It is believed that more than one hundred souls were brought to Christ at this Conference. But the work of reformation did not end there. The preachers went from the Conference refreshed and strengthened, preach- ing with great effect Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God. On all the circuits the ^\^)rd prevailed mightily, sinners were converted, and believers quick- ened. For more than three years there were constant additions to the Church throughout the Canadian work ; and in some instances the revival influence extended to the border circuits in the United States. In 1820 the | Genesee Conference was again held in Canada. The church in which it assembled was at the west end of '• Lundy's Lane," near the spot where six years previous- ly the British and American soldiers had met in deadly conflict. How great the change now. Americans and Canadians, actuated by the love of Christ, uniteil har- moniously in council and effort to build up the walls of Zion, and rejoiced together in the triumplis of the Gos- pel of peace. Tliere were about one hundred ]ireachers present at the Conference. Bishop George presided, still exerting the same holy influence upon preachers and people as in 1817. Thirty preachers were ordained at this Conference. Some of this nmnber were local preachers residing in Canada. Tiie state of the work in 1820 was 2 districts, 17 circuits, 28 preachers, 47 local preachers, 05 exhorters, and 5557 members.