The history of Methodism in Canada : with an account of the rise and progress of the work of God among the Canadian Indian tribes, and occasional notices of the civil affairs of the province

Front matter

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the estate of

CHAPTER I. Page

Introduction of Methodism into the North American Colonies 2

United States people invade Canada 6

Great Emigration into Canada during the Revolutionary War, 7

Two days of Thanksgiving for Peace in 1783 8

Upper Canada began to be Surveyed ... 9

First Methodist Preacher 9

1784 Great Emigration to the St. Lawrence, the Niagara,

and the Detroit Rivers 10

Wesley’s Ordination of Preachers for America 11

Christmas Conference, and beginning of M. E. Church . 13

1786 Second Methodist Preacher in Canada 15

1787 Prince William (afterwards King William I V,) came

to Canada 16

1788 Lyon’s and McCarty, preach in the Bay of Quinte Set-

tlements 17

1789 Name of U. E. Loyalists given to loyalist emigrants... 19

1790 Petition to New York Conference for Preachers 20

William Losee, first regular Methodist Preacher arrives 20

1791 His return to the Bay of Quinte Settlements 23

1792 First Governor of Upper Canada 29

First and second Methodist Meeting-houses 3Q

Account of some first Settlers about Hay Bay 31

Darius Dunham appointed to Cataraqui Circuit 34

Oswegotchie Cir.cuit begun by William Losee 35

First General Conference of the Methodist E. Church... 37 William Losee leaves the Country 43

1794 Coleman and Woolsey, preachers, come to Canada 44

The Niagara Circuit began 45

1795 Sylvanus Keeler, the 5th preacher, arrives 45

1796 Hezekiah Calvin Wooster begins his labours in Canada. 48

CONTENTS.

iv.

Page.

1797 Account of his usefulness and devotion 51

Samuel Coate’s personal appearance and manners 55

Solemnizing matrimony allowed to Presbyterians and

Lutherans 56

1798 Calvin Wooster’s happy death 57

1799 John Jewell, the second Presiding Elder 59

Lorenzo Dow labours in Lower Canada 59

1800 Total Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.... 63

Controversy between Samuel Coate and Robt. DcDowell 63 Retirement of Darius Dunhan from the itinerant work 65 Daniel Picket, first Preacher to the Ottawa Country 67

1801 Revival on Niagara Circuit, conversion of Nathan Bangs 69

Long Point Circuit begun 72

Nathan Bangs and the Indians at a Traders house, in

Pickering 73

1802 Joseph Sawyer visits the city of Montreal 75

Lorenzo Dow’s second visit to Canada 75

1804 Death of Barbara Heck 78

Account of John Robinson and Peter Yannest 78

Nathan Bangs commences the work on the river Thames 80

1805 Henry Ryan and William Case came into Canada 84

First Camp-meeting on Hay Bay shore, Adolphustown. 85 Yonge Street and Smith’s Creek Circuits now begin. . . 86

1806 Thomas Whitehead and Andrew Prindle travel in Upper

Nathan Bangs volunteers for Quebec Station. . 88

Sylyanus Keeler retires from the itinerant work 91

1808 Augusta, Cornwall and Ancaster Circuits first on the

Minutes 95

1809 First steamboat on the Canadian waters 96

Three Rivers was added to the circuits 97

1810 The Grenessee Conference formed 98

Labours of the Presiding Elders on the districts 99

Location of Samuel Coate 101

Retirement of Joseph Sawyer from the itinerant woik, 102

1811 Bishop Asbury’s visit to Upper Canada. 103

CONTENTS:

y.

Page.

1812 United States Congress declare war against Great Britain 107

Canada first invaded at the Detroit River 110

Robert Hibbard drowned in the St. Lawrence 112

1813 Letter of Mr. Case, on the battle of Sackett’s Harbour. 115

Account of Tecumseb the Huron Chief 119

Canadian prisoners of war visited by Mr. Case 124

1814 Twelve reflections suggested by the War 127

English Conference station preachers in Quebec and

Chapter II

From the end of the war in 1814, to the establishment of a Conference in

Canada in 1824.

1815 Testimonial voted by Upper Canada Parliament to

memory of Gen. Brock 142

1816 Dispute about the Montreal Methodist chapel 145

Missionary Committee’s letter to Bishop Asbury 145

General Conference resolutions on the difference with

the English preachers. 148

Death of the venerable bishop Asbury 151

The twelve oldest Methodist meeting houses 152

William Losee’s last visit to Canada 156

1817 Session of Genesee Conference in Elizabethtown. ...... 158

Great Revival of Religion 159

1818 York and Long Point Circuits first on the List 166

Five English preachers Stationed in Upper Canada 167

1819 Wesleyan Mis. Committee’s letter to Bishop M’Kendree 169

Wyandot Mission taken in charge by Ohio Conference 172 Ten youths drowned in Hay Bay 174

1820 Letter of General Conference to the brethren in Canada 177

Resolution of the English Conference on the difficulties in the Province 179

Letter of Missionary Committee to their Missionaries... 182 Letter of Bishop M’Kendree to the Preachers and Societies in Upper Canada 186

And another to the private and official members in L.C. 189

CONTENTS.

vi.

Page.

1820 The Genesee Conference meets in the Town of Niagara, 191

Number of Ministers and Preachers in Upper Canada. . 192 Singular preservation of a child 196

1821 Numbers and salaries of the Episcopal ministers 199

Account of the Perth settlement 201

1822 The military settlements of Lanark and Richniond 204

New settlements near York visited by preachers 207

Death of James G. Peal 210

1823 Alvin Torry preaches to the Indians of the Grand River 216

Peter Jones converted at the Ancaster camp-meeting.... 218 Seth Crawford’s account of the awakening of the Indians 220 A Class of Wyandots formed at the River Canard 227

1824 The Wyandot society, state of 229

The Grand River Indians . 229

The new Settlements near York 231

The Perth Settlement.. 233

Elder Ryan agitates for a separation from the U. S 234

General Conference forms the Preachers into the Canada

Conference 236

Chapter III

From the first Canada Conference, 1834, until the separation, 1838.

1824 Memorial for the Independence of the Body 240

Formation of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church

Hallowell Conference, Circular to the Societies 244

The Grand River Mission 24$

1825 Mississaugas at the Mount Pleasant camp-meeting 248

Presents at the Credit River , 250

Muncey Indians on the Thames visited 853

Second visit to the Mnnceys y . . 256

The Saltfleet Conference 258

Young Preachers’ studies 259

The first Report of the Canada Auxilliary Missionary

' Society 261

Rev. Dr. Strachan’s funeral sermon for Dr. Mountain... 272

CONTENDS. vil.

PAGBi

1826 Bay of Quinte Indians visited 274

Account of John Sunday’s conversion 276

Mississaugas attend Adolphustown camp-meeting 279

Settlement at the Credit river began 281

Governor forbids the Indians to attend camp-meetings. 284

New townships on the Ottawa River visited 285

The (township of) Hamilton Conference 286

Rice Lake Indians converted 287

Lake Simcoe Indians visited 291

Lease of Grape Island for an Indian settlement 292

1827 The (village of) Hamilton Conference 294

Alvin Torry retires from the Canadian work 295

Henry Ryan and David Breakenridge separate from

the Methodists 297

Dr. Strachan’s Letter and Chart

University of King’s College 300

Grand river mission.. 300

The settlement at the Credit river 301

Lake Simcoe Indians at Yonge street camp-meeting 303

Mud Lake Indians desire to become Christians 305

Indians of Schoogog Lake receive religious instruction 306

Work goes on among the Rice Lake Indians 307

Settlement of Grape Island beginning 311

Kingston and Crosby circuits now on the list 313

1828 Gen. Conference allows the separation of the Canadian body 316

Emestown Conference 320

Alteration in the Book of Discipline 322

Anniversary of the Missionary Society 323

Conference Address to Lieutenant Governor 325

Newmarket, Bytown, and Bonchiere, on the circuit list 328

Death of Bishop George 329

Strachan’s Letter and Chart 330

Testimony of the House of Assembly to the character of the

Methodist preachers 332

Address of the Assembly to King George IY 333

The Government and the Indians 335 ilil CONTENTS.

Pi.GH.

1828 Religious bodies allowed to hold land * 339

Indian children before a meeting in York 339

Mr. Case with two Indians at a meeting in New York 341

Miss Hubbard and Miss Barnes come to Grape Island 342

Letter of Mr. F. Hall concerning Credit mission 343

Grand River Mission.. 349

Lake Simcoe and Matchedash Indians at Yonge street camp-meeting A 350

Indian camp-meeting at Snake Island 355

Rice Lake mission and schools 356

Schoogog Lake Indians 368

Three Indian speakers visit the Indians of the Thames 361

Work of God on the circuits 366

N. B. The appointments of the Canadian preachers may found under the date of each year ; and the appointments of the English preachers, in the same way, from 1814.

Chapter IV

I. Sources of the present history. 367

II. Difficulties to the first preachers ; winter, forest 368

III. Table of circuits travelled by preachers 375

IY. Table of preachers travelling oldest circuits 379

V. The superannuated preachers to 1828 385

VI. Remarks on the work among the Indians 387

VII. A Table showing the districts, counties, and townships in

Upper Canada, in 1828 393

VIII. A Chronological Table showing some of the principal events

in the history of Canada, to year 1828 395

IX. A Chronological Table showing many of the principal events

in the history of English Methodism 397

1. Under first race of Methodist preachers, to 1765 397

2. Under second race, to 1791 401

3. Under third race, to 1814 404

X. A Chronological Table showing the rise and progress of the

Methodists in the United States, to 1828 409

Conclusion 412

HISTORY

OF

fgetMijsro in Canada.

Chapter I

THE history of the general Church has been written by inspired and uninspired men ; and different branches of the Church of Christ have the story of their rise and progress narrated and preserved. The history of Methodism, or the great revival of religion in the British Isles, has attracted and engaged several peps ; so has the quick growth and great extension of Methodism in the United States. But the narrative of the beginning and spread of that work of God in the country on the north of the St. Lawrence river, and of the great Canadian lakes, has never engaged an author’s pen, — scarcely an enquirer’s research. The materials, however, existed, — floating in the memories of the aged, hidden in official and unprinted records, and scattered over scarce books and ephemeral prints. The labour of collecting, arranging, and describing these is now essayed.

The history of the original inhabitants, living on the site of the present Province of Canada, is unrecorded and unknown. The French discovery, leading to the French possession, was in 1534 ; when Jacques Cartier entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence ; and the next year, came up the river to an Indian village called Stadacona, now Quebec, and then proceeded up to another village called Hochelaga, now Montreal. Friendly relations were first established with the native tribes ; next, settlements of French adventurers were formed for trade and defence; and lastly, missionaries of the Roman Catholic Church came to preserve and propagate their faith. Gradually, the Freneh population increased from the Gulf to the Detroit River, until, at the Conquest, they numbered in Lower Canada above 65,000 souls.

The conquest of French Canada by the British, under General Wolfe, was in the year 1759. The treaty of 1763 allowed Great Britain quiet possession of the country, after France had held and nurtured it more than 200 years. So that great tract of country mostly north of the St. Lawrence river and the large inland lakes, called Canada, became and has since continued a province of the British Empire.

The great revival of religion first called Methodism by its enemies, begun in 1739, had, at the Conquest, made notable progress in England and Ireland, and some advance in Scotland and Wales. The Conference of 1763 was the twentieth, the circuits numbered 31, and the members of the Methodist Societies about 20,000. Three years after Canada became a British province, Methodism began In America, in the city ©f New York. A small number of pious emigrants from Ireland, members of the Methodist Society* came, in 1765, to the city. Among them was a family called Embury, originally from Germany, but now from Ireland. There were four brothers, viz., John, Peter, Philip, and David. A descendant of the family informed me, that John and Peter were pious men, and used to preach in the German language. They did not live to be very old, and died in the United States. David Embury left his property in the United States, came to Upper Canada and settled in the township of Fredericksburg, on the north side of Hay Bay. He died in 1810, and was buried on his own farm. Philip Embury was a carpenter and local preacher. In 1766 another Methodist family arrived called Heck. The wife of Paul Heck, called Barbara, seeing the Methodists from her own country had far declined in piety, except Embury, deeply lamented their condition. Hearing that they were, on one occasion, engaged even in card playing, she has-

IN CANADA.

tened to the place, reproved them sharply, and seizing the cards, flung them into the fire. She then went to the local preacher, and with great earnestness, even with tears, begged him to preach to the backsliders. “Brother Embury, you must preach to us, or we shall all go to hell, and God will require our blood at your hands.” He replied, “How can I preach, for I have neither a house nor a congregation ?” Said she, “ Preach in your own house, and to your own company first.” He consented, and preached in his own room, at first to five hearers only. He continued, the hearers increased, and good fruits soon appeared. Philip Embury was the first Methodist Preacher in America.

The second was Captain Webb, a barrack master at Albany, (converted three years before in Bristol,) who, hearing of the infant Methodist society, strengthened them in the faith, and in 1769, preached publicly in New York, and on Long Island, in his military uniform. He attracted large congregations, and his word was with power. “ The Captain,” said Mr. Wesley, “ is all life : therefore, although he is not deep or regular, yet many who would not hear a better preacher, flock together to hear him. And many are convinced under his preaching; some justified ; a few built up in love.”*

Under the preaching of Philip Embury and Captain Webb, the congregations continued so to increase, that the few Methodists resolved on building a chapel. Accordingly, some lots^were purchased on John street, New York, and a house for public worship was erected, 60 feet by 42 feet, and called W'esley Chapel. It was first preached in by Mr. Embury, October 30th, 1768, and his text was Ilosea x. 12.

At the Conference in Leeds, 1769, Mr. Wesley mentioned the case of brethren in America :

“For some years past several of our brethren from England and Ireland (and some of them preachers) had settled in North America, and had in various places formed societies, particularly in Philadelphia and New York. The society at New York had lately built a commodious preaching house ; and now desired our help, being in great want of money, but much more of preachers. Twq of our preachers, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore, willingly offered themselves for the service ; by whom we determined to send over fifty pounds, as a token of our brotherly love.

Wesley’s Journals 1773.

Several other of our preachers went over in the following years. As they taught the same doctrines with their brethren here, so they used the same discipline. And the work of God prospered in their hands ; so that a little before the rebellion broke out, about twenty-two preachers (most of them Americans) acted in concert with each other, and near thre^ thousand persons were united together in the American societies. These were chiefly in the provinces of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York.”*

The two first regular preachers landed near Philadelphia, October 24, 1769, and immediately began the Gospel work. Mr. Boardman took his station at New York, and relieved Mr. Embury of his onerous charge, held now for three years. He found a society, a congregation, and a chapel, ready to his hand. Mr. Pittmore remained in Philadelphia, where he found a society of one hundred persons, gathered and under the charge of Captain Webb, a large congregation, and an intense desire to hear the Gospel. On the first Sunday the new missionary preached in the open air, to above four thousand people.

In 1771, Francis Asbury, afterwards superintendent or bishop of the Methodist connexion in New York and Canada, crossed the ocean, and came to Philadelphia, October 27th. He was born in 1745, near Birmingham ; was converted at an early age ; a local preacher nearly five years ; began to travel on a circuit in 1767 ; and offered for the American work, at the Bristol Conference in August, sailing from England in September. The first winter he preached in the country, towns, and villages around the city of New York.

The preparatory steps to the American revolution were now taking ; and from the shedding of the first blood at Lexington, in 1775, to the formal separation of the colonies from Great Britain, in 1783, confusion and war dwelt. in the land. Yet the preachers continued their travels and labours, and did not preach in vain.

On the conquest of Canada, King George III. appointed General Murray to be the first Governor of the new Province of Quebec. The French people were promised popular legislative assemblies ; but, in the meantime, the laws of England

* Short History of Methodists, by Wesley.

IN CANADA.

were to be in force. With the Governor, a Council of eight was to be associated to aid and advise in the administration of the government. In 1764, a printing press was set up in Quebec, the seat of Government, and the first number of the Quebec Gazette was issued on the 21st June. Scarcely had the English quiet possession of the new country before printl ing was brought in to aid order, intelligence and freedom. As it was found very inconvenient to supplant entirely the French language, laws, and usages, various alleviations were made, — much to the satisfaction of the conquered people.

The second Governor was Sir Grey Carleton, who was an officer in connection with the forces in Canada. His appointment was in 1768. The country was peaceable, trade increasing, and the population in 1773 embraced 100,000 French Catholics, and 400 Protestants. The latter class, which comprised the English portion of the population, was composed chiefly of merchants, officers, and disbanded soldiers, and resided mostly at Quebec and Montreal. The Government offered large gratuities of land to the soldiers engaged with Wolfe in the war, viz., to a field officer 5000 acres, a captain 3000, subaltern 2000, sergeant or other non-commissioned officer 200, a private 50 acres, — yet few accepted the offers ; for in the rural parishes of Lower Canada there were only 19 Protestants. The soldiers prefered keeping public houses or engaging in mechanical arts to clearing and cultivating the land.

In 1774, the celebrated Quebec Act was passed* by the Imperial Parliament. It effected great changes in the mode of governing the Province, and was especially in favour of the conquered race, — allowing French laws for civil cases and settlement of property, and English laws for the use of criminal courts. The Roman Catholic religion was freed from all penal restrictions, and the religious orders were allowed possession of great estates. A governor, with a legislative council of from 17 to 23 persons, appointed by the King, were to form the administration. The English population was very dissatisfied, and complained that they had lost the franchise, the protection of English laws, the Habeas Corpus, and trial by jury in civil cases. They petitioned for the repeal or alteration of the Act ; but it remained the foundation of government in Canada for 17 years. This year various persons emigrated into Canada from New York; and among the rest Paul and Barbara Heck, and their family, (three sons, John, Jacob and Samuel,) who assisted in the beginning of Methodism in New York.

In 1775, died Philip Embury, the local preacher of New York city. After the arrival of the regular preachers, he removed to Cambden, Washington county, New York. Here he continued to exercise his gifts as a local preacher, and formed a small society at Ashgrove, chiefly of emigrants from Ireland. He ended his days suddenly, but in peace, and was buried in a solitary spot on a neighbouring farm, seven miles distant from Ashgrove, but a spot of great natural beauty.*

The Americans, now in arms, captured the only British sloop on Lake Champlain, and two forts, and thus secured a passage into Canada. The Governor had the 7th and 26th regiments, numbering only 800 men. He sought the aid of the French peasantry, but they were satisfied to remain at home. The enemy, under Montgomery, came to the attack of Montreal ; but were prevented by a small force, under the orders of General Carleton. But Fort St. John and Chambly surrendered, and with these places a large portion of the 800 troops was lost. The enemy pressed on, and took possession of Montreal without resistence. After destroying the stores, the Governor sailed down the river in a boat to Quebec. The Americans, under Arnold, crossed the river opposite Quebec on the night of November 13th, but failed to surprise the city dr fort. The Governor arrived on the 19th, to the great joy of the garrison, bringing two armed schooners from Three Bivers. He ordered all liable to the militia to serve or quit the city. Thus the garrison was increased to 1,800 men, with plenty of provisions for eight months. Montgomery joined Arnold on 1st December, and the two bodies of troops numbered 2000 men. On the 4th, the enemy proceeded to the

* la 183'2, some surviving friends, moved by a pious respect, had his remains removed to tbe Methodist buryiDg ground in Ashgrove, where some of bis friends and countrymen were buried. Religious services were performed, by the Rev. N. Maffit, in presence of a multitude of people. A marble tablet is erected, and says, “ Philip Embury, tbe earliest American minister of the M. E. Church, here found his last earthly resting place. * Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Born in Ireland, an emigrant to New York, Embury was the first to gather a class in that city, and to set in motion a train of measures which resulted in the formation of John Street Church, the cradle of American Methodism, and the introduction of a system which has beautified the earth with salvation and increased the joys of heaven.”

attack of Quebec, The general sent a flag, to summon the besieged to surrender. General Carleton ordered the flag to be fired upon. The cold was intense ; but the enemy proceeded to the attack of the city, by artillery, without success. The enemy aimed to take the city by storm in the night, but Was repulsed, with the loss of one general, wounding the other, and the capture of above 400 men. Arnold now waited for reinforcements, and merely blockaded the garrison, the rest of the winter. Seeing no prospect of success, the enemy began his retreat, in the beginning of May, 1776, followed by General Carleton ; and was soon driven entirely out of the Province. In the same summer, the possession of the waters of Lake Champlain were recovered. And here ended the revolutionary war, so far as the province of Canada was eoneerned. The f Americans sought to get possession of the Province, but they failed^ The French nor English were in favour of the American cause, and no co-operation was obtained.

July 4th, 1776, is noted as the day when the thirteen Colonies dissolved their allegiance to the British Crown, and declared themselves free and independent, under the name of the Thirteen United States of America.

The third governor. Major General Haldimand, was appointed in 1777 ; a year very unfavourable to the British arms, for General Burgoyne was reduced to such extremities, that he was obliged to surrender with all his army, to the revolutionists. Already, since the war began, several families, influenced by feelings of loyalty and duty to the British crown — and also to escape the distractions of the country, whieh appeared likely long to continue,— had come to Canada, and took up their residence in or near Quebec and Montreal. But, after the disaster of Burgoyne’s army, the loyalists in New York state were so discouraged, that they began to look upon Canada as their only refuge. They arranged their property as well as possible, and made preparations for their departure and journey. A great number came into the Province each year of the continuance of the war ; some by way of the sea and up the river St. Lawrence, and some through the unbroken wilderness between the inhabited parts of New York state to those of the Province. Great privations and distress were endured by the emigrants. Families were six weeks on the voyage to Quebec. During the war, some of the emigrants settled on land in Upper Canada, and before surveying had hardly begun.*

In 1778, the sixth Conference of the “preachers in connection with the Rev. John Wesley,” took place. The English preachers had left the country on account of the war, except Francis Asbury, who was now hid in Deleware. The preachers numbered 29, and the members 6000, and there were 15 circuits. The salary of a preacher was eight pounds, Virginia currency. This year Mr. Wesley began his monthly publication, called the Arminian Magazine. And Mr. Asbury was appointed, by the American preachers, General Superintendent of the infant cause.

In 1779, a dissension crept in between the northern and southern preachers on account of administering the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s supper. The preachers in the south met in Virginia, appointed a committee of the oldest men, to administer ordination. First they ordained one another by imposition of hands, and then the other preachers. Afterwards, they freely baptized all who desired it, and gave the Lord’s supper to the societies. But Mr. Asbury and the other preachers mourned over these brethren,- as departing from the practice of the Wesleyan connexion. But the next year, the dissentient preachers agreed to drop their objectionable proceedings, and so were restored again to union and friendship with their brethren.

In 1783, the revolutionary war came to an end, much to the joy of all lovers of peace, both in England and America. Although the treaty between the two countries wras not signed until September 30th, yet no hostilities were carried on by the two armies \ and before December, the British forces were all withdrawn, and the American army was disbanded. The war restrictions on the preachers were taken off, and a great door was opened for the preaching of the Gospel in all the land. Mr. Wesley sent the preachers a letter of advice and encouragement, dated October 3rd, urging a faithful continuance in the doctrine and discipline of the Methodists. The Conference in Baltimore agreed to have a day of thanksgiving

* The HeGks, ifc is said, came to Augnsta, in 1??8, and settled on the banks ot the St. Lawrence. Paul Heck was a soldier for a year or two, and was discharged in August, 1778. In 1779, some families came up in boats, and settled, on the site of Kingston, and along the shore of the township of Kingston.

IN CANADA.

for public peace in July, and another in October ; and also two fast days. With all the hindrances of war in the land, the preachers were increased to 85, and the members to nearly 14,000.

The close of the revolutionary war strengthened the desire of the British party in Canada for a reform in the government of the country, and especially for a House of Assembly, elected as the English House of Commons. Many petitions were sent to the British. Government. The peace led to a large emigration of loyalists to the Province, as well as many of the disbanded soldiers, helping to populate a large and fertile country.

To accommodate the emigrants, the Government resolved to open up the western part of Canada, now a dreary wilderness, and almost uninhabited. A few settlers were along the St. Lawrence from Cornwall to Brockville, on the Bay of Quinte from Kingston to Bath, and some French near Detroit. All else was a wilderness, in which dwelt the wild animals and feathery tribes, and in which roamed tribes of savage Indians. The necessary work of surveying the new land, along the St. Lawrence and Bay of Quinte, and dividing it into townships, and then into concessions and lots, was pursued with diligence. The townships were first numbered, but not named, until several years after ; and the practice of calling the townships by the number is still retained by many old inhabitants.

Further, to encourage emigrants from the United States the Government offered liberal gifts of land. For the disbanded soldiers of 1783 the regulations were the same for officers as after the peace of 1763, but privates and all loyalists were to receive 200 acres each, on the condition of actual settlement ; and the grants were to be made free of expense.

FIRST METHODIST PREACHER.

Probably, religion was not sufficiently attended to in those days of trouble and confusion. The French had their priests, and in their churches the usual services were performed. A clergyman of the Church of England was in Montreal and Quebec. Other ministers were unknown, unless some chaplain connected with a regiment. But, in 1780, a Methodist local preacher, named Tuffey, a commissary of the 44th regi- B-l ment, came to Quebec with the regiment.* He appears to have been a man devoted to God, and zealous for the Gospel. Seeing and lamenting the state of the wicked soldiery, and the Protestant emigrants -in Quebec, he commenced preaching, soon after his arrival, and continued to do so at suitable opportunities while he remained. Probably, there were Methodists among the soldiers, who may have strengthened and encouraged him, in his taking up the cross. But no society seems to have been formed ol* any of the Protestant inhabitants of Quebec. Peace being come, some of the regiments in 1783, were disbanded; and among the rest the 44th. Many officers and men returned home; but many remained, taking up land, and settling as farmers. In this way, soldiers who were Methodists, or had heard Mr. Wesley, Tuffey, or other preachers, were scattered about in the first settlements, — retaining a knowledge of the Gospel, perhaps exemplifying the precepts. Though Mr. Tuffey returned home, yet the good influence of his life and labours, doubtless in some degree, remained. We may regard this British soldier as the first Methodist preacher in the Province of Canada.