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abilities. A most signi?cant decision was made at this Conference. It now seemed in the best interest of the church in Canada to becorne independent of the parent body in the United States. This separation was achieved with complete harmony on both sides of the border, and so in 1828 the separate and independent Methodist Episcopal Church of Canada came into being. In the future, no bishops from the United States would be coming to preside at Conferences. Therefore it was necessary to choose "some one to be bishop or superintendent of the church?" The choice of the Conference was its oldest member, Rev. William Case. Thus after a total of 18 years as a Presiding Elder, he was elected General Superintendent, "which comprised all the duties of a bishop, except conferring Orders?" This appointment was meant to be temporary until a bishop could be Chosen, but in fact William Case held this position for five years. At the same time he was Superintendent of Indian Missions. Thus it was that the head of the M.E. Church actually lived on beautiful little Grape Island in the Bay of Quintel Immediately after the Conference Rev. William Case returned to the Island and to the very practical tasks of operating a Mission. He and PeterJones who accompanied him there set the Indians 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."H There was a good crop that year, for Peter Jones records in his Journal that he helped the Indians divide up about 300 bushels of potatoes. On October 16, the mission family, school children and Peter Jones attended a Missionary Meeting in Belleville. Rev. William Case preached and Miss Hubbard led the school children in singing Epiti?dembonstranng their educational progress. Three boys spoke y a out their lives. Here Is what one of them had to say: 'My name is Allan Salt. I am 8 years old. I was born in the Wigwam, and lived in the woods till two years ago, when my father and mother began to pray. My mother is dead. She pr?yed when she was dying. My father lives and sends me to :heOGLZEigroaglf ?angilwhere (£50 children are learning to read and hungry. No'w "ye h nstizlin riends, m thewrgwam was cold like ou h' f . ave p enty to eat, and live in good houses r w ite nends. The good people in Belleville they help '3 Playter, Methodism in Canada, p326. 5' Carroll, Case 6' Contemporaries, p217. " Jones, Journal, 1:181 16 Mission on Grape Island to build them. We thank them very much for all they do for poor Indians, and we pray Kezhamunedoo to reward them an hundred fold in this life, and in the world to come-- life everlasting.35 - Although the words of eight-year-old may have been slightly coloured by PeterJones when he recorded them later, nevertheless this is the type of witness and testimony being made by the Indians of all ages. What a profound effect this kind of statement must have had on the white people who heard it! 1829 In late February of 1829, Miss Barnes and Peter Jones came to Grape Island to join a party that would make a tour in the United States. On Sunday, February 22, special services were held. A number of Mohawks were there and the Indians filled the chapel. The whites worshipped in the Mission House and were addressed by Miss Barnes. There may have been a number of whites from the nearby mainland who regularly attended Church on the Island.16 The sacraments were administered and both Mohawk and Mississauga children were baptized. Miss Barnes, Miss Hubbard, Peter Jones, Rev. William Case and a number of Indian children crossed into the United States on February 26. The purpose of their tour was to raise funds for the Indian Missions.This was an ecumenical venture, for the little touring group spoke to Presbyterians and Baptists, as well as Methodists. They presented their work in an interesting way through story, song and personal witness, and were well received wherever they went, although Peter Jones seemed to feel the welcome of the Mohawk Dutch of Schenectady was not too generous! "A collection was taken up for our Missions amounting to $7.50. I suppose this might be called a large collection from the Dutch. I hope they will have their reward."37 Besides money, other gifts such as books and clothing were received. During the tour, Hester (Betty) Hubbard and William Case were married in New York City on May 4. By mid-May the group was back at Grape Island in time for the spring planting. '5 Jones, Journal, p 184 3" Boehme, Belnap Interview. '7 Jones, Journal, p203 I Mission on Grape Island 7