Glengarry's dense woods are no longer there, and the conquerors of those woodlands have also disappeared. The way of life and character traits prevalent in those early years have also vanished, forever. The males are important to remember. They bore the scars of their blood in their fiery passions, courage, and loyalty; and the scars of the forest in their endurance, ingenuity, and independence. But more than anything else, it was their faith-for, in them, the dread of God dwelt-that bore witness to the depths of their souls. Though their faith may have been limited, their lifestyles were also limited by certain molds. The largest thing in them was it. It may have taken on a dismal tint from their dark woodlands, but since a sweet, gracious presence lived among them, it increased day by day in sweetness and grace. The sons of these Glengarry men may be discovered in Canada beyond the Lakes, where men are building empires. Such males are required there. Because only men-and only men with the fear of God in their hearts-can transform a nation into one that is certain to be great. Wealth, business, and energy cannot do this. And one of the goals of this book is to make this plain.
On September 13, 1860, Charles William Gordon, also known as Ralph Connor, was born in Glengarry County, Ontario. He was the fourth child of Mary Gordon (née Robertson; died in 1890) and Rev. Daniel Gordon (1822-1910). In Upper Canada, his father served as a missionary for the Free Church of Scotland. Gordon was motivated to pursue his summer mission work in the West after hearing Superintendent Robertson speak about its difficulties while he was a student at Knox College. Gordon ultimately dedicated the rest of his life to reform and mission work in Western Canada. Gordon's opinions were greatly influenced by Robertson, who thought that missionaries were the only people who could change the settlers' lackadaisical attitudes toward sporadic church services and tepid spirituality. He rose to prominence as a supporter of the unification of the churches and social change in the West. As a result, the United Church of Canada was established in the 1920s as a reaction to the rising liberalism and secularization.
