Men of the Forest.

The Fire Kindlers

FOREWORD

This is not the story of a family whom destiny has marked for leadership in world affairs. It is not the story of a family that has blossomed forth in any individual whose life has left an outstanding and indelible mark upon the annals of time. It is the story of a humble family, yet an ancient and an honourable one. If there is nothing in it to boast about or make one feel superior, at least there is nothing to be ashamed of or to justify any feeling of inferiority. It is the story of a family with a simple, yet worthy tradition, maintained for ages with a remarkable fidelity. Its virtue is practically the Aristotelian one of "the golden mean". Its social position has ever been in the happy medium; its history is that of the evolution of the great middle class and would, with proper variations, fit thousands of other families in similar circumstances.

I have a dual purpose in telling the story; first to give to the present and future all the interesting information I have been able to gather concerning our family in the past; second, and more important, to uplift and make clear to all, to our own family and no less to the whole human family, the spiritual light that shines from the lives of our forefathers-a light which came from on high and leads to heaven; a light by no means peculiar to our family, but one which shines everywhere, though men perceive it not; yet which is coloured with a singularly beautiful inspiration in the story of our fathers.

In the search for information there are many difficulties. Stories handed down by word of mouth inevitably get distorted. Some of these have been so twisted out of shape that I have had to discard them. The business of checking by factual evidence such stories as I have been told would take a long time. In a history so long as ours there are many blanks which it would take years of search to fill in. Therefore, the work is by no means complete. However, considerable interest has been expressed and I feel that all want to know what I have so far discovered. So I have decided to put down what I have up to this time gathered.
I have tried to be as accurate as possible; I have used the subjunctive mood wherever there is good reason for doubt, and I have only positively asserted that which appears firmly established. I hope that this story will evoke such interest as will inspire others to further research, and assist in the production of a more complete edition at some future time. If there are any points which the reader might feel are open to controversy, I should he glad to take them up, for discussion will do much to clarify doubtful points and it will arouse the desire for further research. I wish to express my deep gratitude to all those who have assisted me with information or in any other way. All have done their utmost to contribute to the success of the work.

LESLIE S. PURKIS,

Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.