FOREWORD. This little book brings again into the sunlight some few records of the life and work of a very remarkable man. It seems fitting at this time to present in a popular form a glance at the life and work of Dr. Rand , as it will be fifty years on the twelfth of next Novem¬ ber, since the work was organized, and Silas T. Rand appointed by the Commissioners at Halifax to his chosen field of labour among the Micmacs of the Maritime Provinces. Many of the victories and defeats connected with this mission in which our fathers shared (or might have shared) have been forgotten; and, as we now gather what there is for us of encouragement and enjoyment in the records of that noble undertaking, we cannot but find stimulation and satisfaction in living over again, however imperfectly, the struggles and triumphs of one of our own heroes,— one who is certainly worthy of our highest appreciation. Only a small part of the available material will be used, as nobody is pre¬ pared to write a biography at present; and, even if someone could spend months among the Rand Manuscripts in the Libraries at Wellesley and Acadia , the occasion that calls this forth would have passed away before the work could be ready for the public. This booklet does not pretend to be a biography; you may call it a Memorial, or even a Jubilee Souvenir, if you wish; but, kindly do not overlook the purpose for which it is issued:—In all serious¬ ness allow it to call your attention to the stern fact that the Micmac Mission, while in progress was very much hindered by lack of Christian sympathy, and, since the faithful laborer was removed to his reward, no attempt has been made to carry on the work which was so manfully undertaken fifty years ago. And then, with these considerations, and the parting words of our Best Friend, fresh in