Part 58 (1/2)
In 1876, however, Dr Ryerson was permitted to retire on full salary from the responsible post which for nearly thirty-two years he had so worthily and honourably filled
CHAPTER XLVII
1845-1846
Illness and Final Retirement of Lord Metcalfe
In a letter to Dr Ryerson froinson, dated 27th May, 1845, he thus refers to Lord Metcalfe's increasing illness:--
I wish that I could answer your inquiries about Lord Metcalfe's health in a satisfactoryh there is no decided change for the worse, yet there is in h slow in its progress, keeps constantly advancing and threatens farther ravages The pain is incessant and unabated The resignation hich he suffers, and his unyielding deter as his presence can serve Canada, inspires a feeling of veneration which I will not attempt to describe He seems to be quite prepared to realize, if necessary, that noble sentiment--
”Dulce et decoruain wrote to Dr Ryerson, from Montreal, on the 28th of October, as follows:--
As bad news travels fast, you will probably have heard before this reaches you of the aggravation of the painfulsuffered No other man, in his present la the Government He seems quite ready to die in harness, if necessary, but is deter as he can, at any sacrifice of personal considerations, continue to discharge the duties I hope and believe that Her Majesty's Government will not hesitate to relieve him as soon as a successor can be found--it would be inhuer How much of Canada's weal or woe depends upon the selection? It is far easier to mar than to mend the triumph then its effects
Mr Higginson wrote to Dr Ryerson on the 18th Deceo, had the pleasure to receive your kind and feeling letter of the 11th It will affordfriend the grateful sentiive expression
Lord Metcalfe's retirement was, as you justly observe, strictly a providential dispensation He rehty to render hi all its duties; and he was quite prepared to die at it, in the service of his country The terms in which the Queen's perratifying and co the despatch to you the first time we meet Of the fearful ress seems to be beyond hu arrested But the surgical skill of Europe may, and I earnestly pray to God will, alleviate the intensity of the blessed s
After Lord Metcalfe had returned to England, the Hon D Daly, Secretary of the Province, wrote to Dr Ryerson, who had returned to Canada, on the 20th Decereat atthe only opportunity that, in all hu our lamented and excellent Governor In his late and reatness of that most inestimable man's character was, if possible, more resplendent than under the trials to which you saw him subjected May he enjoy a peaceful ter certain of his successor until the news of which he is the bearer has reached England, his relinquish been left entirely to his own free will He had the co how fully his services were appreciated by his Sovereign; and his re way by Her Majesty's command
On the 9th May Dr Ryerson wrote a farewell letter to Lord Metcalfe, fro passed Your Lordshi+p on the ocean, and being disappointed of the privilege of ever seeing you again in this world, I wrote by the first packet after oodness to convey to Your Lordshi+p the expression of those sentiratitude and affectionate respect which I can never fail to cherish while memory remains
In Your Lordshi+p's retire to intrude further than to state s, and that my supplications are offered up daily to the God of all consolation, that He would grant you patience, resignation, and a ”sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection to everlasting life;” and to assure Your Lordshi+p that my life shall be sacredly devoted to the work in behalf of the youthful and future generations of Canada, for which Your Lordshi+p's kindness has done so est feelings of my heart, I have, etc
The final letter received froinson was dated Montreal, June 10th, 1840:--
I beg you to accept my cordial thanks for your very kind coh honour that has been conferred upon reat satisfaction in feeling that I won it fighting shoulder to shoulder with you and the other advocates of those great British Constitutional principles of Government, for which we contended, and which were so fiercely assailed by the British Deain be able to ree contributed to the victory will be to me a source of pride To the eminent Pilot who directed us no one knows better than yourself how ood work My latest account of his health encourages the hope that I ain
We closed the session yesterday, which was got through with success, and I hope with soret veryyou since your return from Europe Farewell!
J M H
The appointinson received froua In his reply to an address from the Wesleyan missionaries of that island, on his arrival, he thus referred to his experience of that body in Canada:--
I have had frequent opportunities of witnessing in various quarters of the globe the untiring exertions of your brethren in the sacred cause of religion and huling against the rigours of a Canadian winter, I have always found the Wesleyan missionaries animated by the same benevolent and philanthropic spirit, and undaunted by obstacles, however appalling,the sa influence of the holy Gospel of Christ