PREFACE

FEELING deeply that the heroic efforts of our pioneer women missionaries should be held in grateful remembrance by our W. M. S., Mrs. Wm. Byers of Montreal, at the request of the Executive Board, undertook the preparation of the following short biographical sketch of Miss Lucy Margaret Baker, the first Canadian woman to represent us in mission work among the Indians of our own land.

This sketch was begun in 1917—the 50th anniversary of the first steps taken by the Western section of our Church to send forth messengers to the aborigines of Canada, who were sunk in superstition and darkness.

In addition to what the writer remembers from personal conversation with the subject of the memoir the material for the sketch was obtained from relatives, friends and fellowworkers and also from the Church's Blue Books, Records, and W. M. S. Annual Reports, that whatever was related might be accurate.

The outbreak of the war prevented this memoir being printed at the time it was prepared. This is to be regretted as Mrs. Byers has since been called Home. But it will not have been written in vain if it proves "an incentive to some of our young people to follow the example set by this noble woman," and makes us all grateful for her life, which was the expressed wish of the compiler, Elizabeth A. Byers.

M. C. G. F.

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