The Story of My Life; Being Reminiscences of Sixty Years' Public Service in Canada Part 77

"In age and feebleness extreme, Who can a sinful worm redeem?

Jesus, my only help Thou art, Strength of my failing, flesh and heart; Oh I might I catch one smile from Thee And drop into eternity."

Several years ago I read a poem, or part of one, written in old age by the celebrated English poetess, Mrs. Barbauld, whose sweet words I very frequently repeat. She says:--

"Life, we have been long together, Through pleasant and through cloudy weather, 'Tis hard to part when friends are dear, Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, or tear.

Then steal away, give little warning, Choose thine own time; Say not 'good night,' but in some happier clime, Bid me 'good morning.'"

These words were almost prophetic, for within three months after they were written, Dr. Ryerson left Toronto for Simcoe to attend at the dying bed of his beloved brother. Immediately after his death, Dr. Ryerson wrote to me and said:--Nothing could have been more satisfactory than the last days of my dear brother; and it was a great comfort to him and all the family that I was with him for ten days before his departure.

His responses to prayer were very hearty. He seemed to dwell in a higher region. He was so nervously sensitive that he could not only not converse, but could hardly bear being talked to. On one occasion he said, "Egerton, don't talk to me, but kiss me." One day I asked him if I should unite with him in prayer; he answered (and this was the longest sentence during the ten days I was with him) with some warmth, "Egerton, why do you ask me that? You know I always want you to pray with me." One day I repeated, or began to repeat, the fifth verse of the thirty-first Psalm, "Into Thy hands I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord G.o.d of truth." He said "I have uttered these words many times. I have not a doubt upon my mind." Another day he seemed to be very happy while we united in prayer, and after responding "Amen and Amen!" he added, "Praise the Lord."

As the General Conference of September, 1878, approached, Dr. Ryerson was anxiously hoping that the Conference would be favoured with the presence of an able counsellor and friend, Rev. Dr. Punshon. Greatly to his regret, he received a note from Dr. Punshon, saying:--

You will know by this time that I am not coming to Canada this year, but that Mr. Coley is appointed Representative to your General Conference. Among other things, Dr. Punshon said:--You will see that our Conference has been a solemn one. A minister and a lay representative were smitten with death on the premises, and died before they could be removed. These shocks did not help my already shaken nerves to regain their tone. Otherwise the Conference was a memorable success. I shall have some of my heart with you in Montreal. I trust you will have a blessed Conference, and will be able to get some solution of the transfer question, and some approach to a scheme for connexional superintendency on a broad, practical basis, thus strengthening the two weak places of your present system.

On the 31st August, 1878, Rev. Dr. Wood addressed the following note to Dr. Ryerson:--

Thirty-one years ago, when appointed by the British Conference to the office of General Superintendent of Missions in the Canada Conference, I forwarded to your address some testimonials which my brethren presented to me when giving up the chair of the New Brunswick District. I now enclose to you the resignation of my office as one of the General Secretaries of the Missionary Society, which you can either present personally, or hand over to the President. I have very pleasant recollections of the past a.s.sociations, especially in the early years of the Union of 1847, to which you gave invaluable a.s.sistance in the working out of its principles, which have resulted in the present wonderful enlargement of the Methodist Church.

As was his custom, Rev. Dr. Punshon sent to Dr. Ryerson a kind note at the New Year of 1879. Speaking of Methodist affairs in England he says:--

The new year has dawned gloomily enough with us in England. I never knew such protracted commercial depression. In spite of all, however, Church enterprises are projected, and we have started our Connexional Thanksgiving Fund auspiciously, both so far as spirit and money go. It is proposed to raise 200,000 at least, and some are sanguine enough to think, if times mend, that a good deal more will be raised. There never was a meeting in Methodism like the one at City Road. It was an All-day meeting. The first hour was spent in devotional exercises, and then the contributions flowed in without pressure, ostentation, or shame. We are beginning the Circuit Meetings next week. Our Brixton one is fixed for Monday evening, but the cream of our subscriptions was announced at City Road. Dr. Rigg makes a good President.

Writing to a friend in December, 1880, Dr. Ryerson said:--

You speak of being old. I feel myself to be an old man. It is more labour for me to write one page now, than it used to be to write five pages.... We shall soon follow those who have gone before. With you I am waiting and endeavouring to be prepared for the change, and have no fear of it, but often rejoice in the bright hopes beyond.

Again, writing to the same friend on the 9th of August, 1881, he said:--

My latest attack has reduced my strength (of which I had little to spare) very much. My desire is likely soon to be accomplished--to depart hence.

Writing to another friend on the 24th of July, 1881, Dr. Ryerson said:--I have to-day written a letter of affectionate sympathy to Rev.

Dr. Punshon on the decease of his son John William. I trust that his last days were his best days.

It has always been a source of thankfulness and gratification, that I was able to show him some kind attentions during his last visit to Canada.

I have been deeply concerned to read in this morning's newspaper that Dr. Punshon himself was seriously ill. I trust and pray that the Church and nation may not yet, nor for a long time to come, be deprived of his eminent services.

I cannot tell how deeply we all sympathize with Dr. and Mrs. Punshon in this great trial.

From the last (almost illegible) letter written by Dr. Ryerson, two weeks before his death and dated 6th of February, 1882, I make the following extracts. It was addressed to Rev. Hugh Johnston, B.D., of Montreal, (now of Toronto).

I am helpless myself--have lost my hearing so that I cannot converse without a tube. I have been confined to my room for five weeks by congestion of the lungs, from which I have only partially recovered. I have not been out of the house since last September, so that I can take no part in Church affairs. But G.o.d has been with me--my strength and comforter. I am beginning to revive, but have not yet been able to go down stairs, or move, only creep about with the help of a cane. I do not know whether you can read the scrawl I have written, but I cannot write any better.

Yours most affectionately, Monday, February 6th, 1882. E. Ryerson.

The concluding words of Dr. Ryerson's story of his life were:--

In 1878, I was elected for the third time Representative of the Canadian to the British Conference. After the fulfilment of these functions, I have retired from all active partic.i.p.ation in public affairs, whether of Church or State. I have finished, after twenty years' labour, my "History of the Loyalists of America and their Times." I have finished the "Story of my Life"--imperfect and fragmentary as it is--leaving to another pen anything that may be thought worthy of record of my last days on earth, as well as any essential omissions in my earlier career.

At length the end of this great Canadian drew near; and the shadows at the closing of life's eventide deepened and lengthened. I visited him frequently, and always found him interested in whatever subject or topic I might speak to him about. His congenial subject, however, was G.o.d's providential goodness and overruling care throughout his whole life. In his personal religious experience, he always spoke humbly of himself and glowingly of the long-suffering tenderness of G.o.d's dealings towards him. At no time was the character of his religious experience more practical and suggestive than when laid aside from duty. Meditation on the past was the subject of his thoughts.

To him G.o.d was a personal, living Father--a Brother born for adversity--a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother--a great and glorious Being, ever gracious, ever merciful. His trust in G.o.d was child-like in its simplicity, firm and unwavering. His conversation partook of it and was eminently realistic. He had no more doubt of G.o.d's daily, hourly, loving care and superintending providence over him and his than he had of any material fact with which he was familiar or which was self-evident to him. He entirely realized that G.o.d was his ever present friend. There seemed to be that close, intimate union--reverent and humble as it was on his part--of man with G.o.d, and this gave a living reality to religion in his life. To him the counsels, the warnings, the promises; the encouragements of the Bible, were the voice of G.o.d speaking to him personally--the very words came as living words from the lips of G.o.d, "as a man speaketh to his friend." This was the secret of his courage, whether it was in some crisis of conflict or controversy, or in his little frail craft when crossing the lake, or exposed to the storm.

To such a man death had no terrors--the heart had no fear. It was cheering and comforting to listen to him (as I often did alone) and to hear him speak of his near departure, as of one preparing for a journey--ceasing from duty, in order to be ready to be conveyed away, and then resuming it when the journey was over.

Thus he spoke of the time of his departure as at hand, and he was ready for the messenger when He should call for him. He spoke of it trustfully, hopefully, cheerfully, neither anxious nor fearful; and yet, on the other hand, neither elated nor full of joy; but he knew in whom He had trusted, and was persuaded, and was not afraid of evil tidings either of the dark valley or the river of death. He knew Him whom he believed, and was persuaded that He was able to keep that which he had committed unto Him against that day.

Thus the end drew near, and with it, as the outward man began to fail, the feeling of unwavering trust and confidence was deepened and strengthened. At length hearing failed, and the senses one by one partially ceased to perform their functions. Then to him were fully realized the inspired words of Solomon: Desire failed, and the silver cord was loosed, the golden bowl was broken, the pitcher broken at the fountain, and the wheel at the cistern. Gradually the weary wheels of life stood still, and at seven o'clock on Sunday morning, February 19th, 1882, in the presence of his loved ones and dear friends, gently and peacefully the spirit of Egerton Ryerson took its flight to be forever with the Lord!

Servant of G.o.d, well done!

Thy glorious warfare's past; The battle's fought, the vict'ry won, And thou art crowned at last;

Of all thy heart's desire Triumphantly possessed; Lodged by the sweet angelic choir In thy Redeemer's breast.

In condescending love, Thy ceaseless prayer He heard; And bade thee suddenly remove To this complete reward.

O happy, happy soul!

In ecstacies of praise, Long as eternal ages roll, Thou seest thy Saviour's face.

Redeemed from earth and pain, Ah! when shall we ascend, And all in Jesus' presence reign With our translated friend?

CHAPTER LXVI.

1882.

The Funeral Ceremonies, Wednesday, Feb. 22nd, 1882.

Amid the tolling of bells, said the Toronto _Globe_, and the lamentations of many thousands of people, the remains of the late Rev.

Dr. Ryerson were conveyed to their final earthly resting-place in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, on Wednesday, the 22nd February. During the day large numbers visited the sorrowing house, and gazed for the last time on the features of the revered dead. As was to be expected, the larger number were, like the venerable deceased, far into "the sere and yellow leaf,"

and many who had known him for a long time could scarce restrain the unbidden tear as a flood of recollections surged up at the sight of the still form cold in death.

No one present, probably, says the _Guardian_, ever saw so many ministers at a funeral. Among the ministers and laymen were many grey-haired veterans, who had watched with interest the whole brilliant career of the departed.... All the Churches were well represented, both by their ministers and prominent laymen. Bishop Sweatman and most of the ministers of the Church of England were present. Nearly all the Presbyterian, Baptist, and Congregational ministers of the city were present; and even Archbishop Lynch and Father McCann, of the Roman Catholic Church, showed their respect for the dead by their presence during the day. Devotional service at the house was conducted by Rev. R.

Jones, of Cobourg, and Rev. J. G. Laird, of Collingwood.

The plate on the coffin bore the inscription:--"Egerton Ryerson born 21st March, 1803: died 19th February, 1882." The floral tributes presented by sorrowing friends were from various places in Ontario, and not a few came from Detroit and other American cities. The following may be noted:--Wreath, with "Norfolk" in the centre, from Mr. E. Harris; wreath, with "Rest" in the centre, from Dr. and Mrs. Hodgins; pillow, with "Father," from Mrs. E. Harris; crown from the scholars of Ryerson school; pillow, with "Grandpapa," from the grandchildren of the deceased: wreath from Mr. C. H. Greene; cross, also scythe, with sheaf, from Mr. and Mrs. George Harris, London; crown and cross from Rev. Dr.

and Mrs. Potts; anchor from W. E. and F. E. Hodgins; sheaf from George S. Hodgins; lilies and other choice flowers inside the casket from Dr.

and Mrs. Hodgins.