Foreword

This assembly of historic material has definite purposes including

(a) The preservation for future generations of the record of men and women of an earlier day; which has interest and inspiration for all who follow. Moreover, authentic data as to births, marriages, deaths, baptisms, is of ever increasing practical value from the stand point of life insurance, Social Security records, visas for travel abroad, the descent of property, and other legal titles and requirements. Such data of original record in a single book, news clipping, obituary or diary, in fading ink and paper that must be handled tenderly, may be lost or destroyed at any moment; but reprinted in many copies is insured against loss of information that could never be replaced.

(b) No more timely or appropriate occasion for the compilation of such a history can be imagined than the Sesqui-Centennial of the organization of our Church. We have, therefore, endeavored to make it as accurate and complete as possible; a record for every Church family and every child in the family, as well as friends in the community and far away; that all will treasure more and more as the years roll on.

(c) Our history is conceived as a balanced factual recital of. the beginning and growth of the Presbyterian Congregation of Short Creek now the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio., treating that religious group as a whole rather than emphasizing any individual, family, or church organization, recognizing that all have made contribution to the progress of an institution now venerable in years but retaining the spirit of eternal youth.

(d) The perspective of history in relation to the past and the onward and upward progress of the human race is a first essential of a broad intelligence for each generation living its day. There can be no sound and thoroughly comprehensive philosophy of life or effective living without a knowledge of what has gone before, the ability to compare, the ambition to improve, the building of a new and more beautiful structure on foundations laid by former generations of men and women. Thomas E. `McCauley the historian has said that

"A people who take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered by remote generations."

This is the spirit in which our Committee on History has approached the task assigned, us; seeking not merely a recital of dead facts and figures but to tell a living story of human struggle and achievement which will live in the heart and inspire new vision and effort.

Since we write the story of a Presbyterian Congregation the emphasis necessarily is on Presbyterian events and Presbyterian men and women. At the same time we have a full appreciation of and• pay willing tribute to those religious and civic groups in our local community who have done much for community life, and one of the great satisfactions that has come to us is to note how the spirit of cooperation and unity has' prevailed over the years between our several Churches.

Our Committee on History has exercised the utmost diligence and care in verifying names, dates and other information; and in reconciling discrepancies found. Where we do not have certain knowledge we so indicate. In some situations such as in the case of certain Ruling Elders, we have not been able to obtain adequate biographical material. Through inquiry letters and otherwise, in the time permitted, we have sought earnestly to secure all possible pertinent information from members of the Congregation present and former - at home and abroad. Nevertheless our history is still fragmentary and incomplete at many points and not alone in respect to older records. However we hope and expect that the published recital will itself serve to bring out much data, personal and otherwise, that we do not now have, and again this is not the least important reason .justifying publication.

With these thoughts and suggestions and with thanks for the support of the General Committee and the cooperation of all Subcommittees, we launch this latest but not the last History of the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, upon the River of Time.

Committee on History

Elizabeth Kithcart Humphreville,
Chairman

S. C. McConahey

Mt. Pleasant, Ohio,
August 1, 1948.