Excerpt from Life of Thomas McCulloch, D.D., Pictou A quarter of a century has passed Since the death of our father, when these manuscripts were committed to our care. Their preparation was begun previous to his retirement from the active duties of the ministry, and completed during his de clining years. Our grandfather's public life in Nova Scotia was bound up with the history of Pictou Academy; his private life was largely affected by it. This being so, it was unavoid able that the written story Should exhibit much of the nature of struggle and strife - the atmosphere in which the life's work was carried on. Without this setting the narrative would not only be colorless, but wanting in the essential quality. It is owing to this, coupled with our father's express wish that some time should elapse before publication, because of those whose feelings might be painfully excited thereby, that further action has been so long delayed. In view of the recent celebration of the Centennial of Dalhousie University, and the approaching Centennial of the Presbyterian College, Halifax, the time seems suitable for the discharge of our trust. Unlike Dr. James Mc Gregor, our grandfather kept no diary, but all unknown to him the material which subsequently formed the basis of a large part of these notes was being preserved in his native land. With his college companion, and life long friend, the Rev. John Mit chell, D. D., of Glasgow, and also with his Son, James Mitchell, Esq., he kept up a constant correspondence, and to the latter, the author was indebted for the return of letters which have proved so valuable. What the Secession Church in this Pro vince, in its early struggle for education, owed to the unfailing sympathy and practical aid of Dr. Mitchell and his family, it would be difficult to overestimate. Even at this distant date it affords great satisfaction to make this acknowledgment. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.