History of Presbyteriant’sm

College was now closed, Pictou Academy had dwin- dled down to the status of a grammar school and could not give to young men an education to pre- pare them, according to the requirements of the Presbyterian Church, to enter upon the study of the- ology. Under these circumstances the Synod ap— pointed Rev. James Ross, D. D., professor of classics and philosophy, he being noted among his brethren for the accuracy and extent of his scholarship, as well as for his aptness to teach. And besides his intellectual qualifications, he was endowed with a noble physique, so that mentally and physically he was well fitted for the almost herculean labors which devolved upon him.

THE WEST RIVER SEMINARY

was opened in a part of Professor Ross’ dwelling house, West River, Pictou, in the autumn of 1848, with twelve students, viz.: John Currie, George M. Clark, James McGregor McKay, James McLean, Henry Crawford, Jacob McLennon, James Hill, Hugh Reid, David Terhune, John Fraser, James Thompson and J. M. MacLeod. Each year brought additional numbers to the seminary and at the close of the fourth term, in 1852, there were in attendance twenty—eight students, sixteen of whom, that au- tumn, entered the Theological Hall, under Rev. John Keir, D. D., and Rev. James Smith, D. D., the latter of whom had been appointed to the chair of Biblical literature. The writer well remembers the words of praise and commendation accorded to Pro-

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