We’ve grown accustomed to the fact that a significant number of Reformed Presbyterians are gifted writers who have a valuable story to tell. When possible, we’ve printed their stories in this magazine or added those authors’ books to our Crown & Covenant Publications catalog. But this month’s Witness is nonetheless unusual.

Two books with a separate genesis are being published within a short time span and cover overlapping periods of one Reformed Presbyterian family’s heritage. These books contain stories of adventure that might be difficult for younger readers to imagine—stories like a horse race to claim land in the wild West. But Reformed Presbyterians—Covenanters—have had some amazing adventures, and this month we’ll relate more than a few of them.

Since we often devote one of our summer issues to material that is pleasant to read while you’re sitting on your porch or sitting by a pool or enjoying an air-conditioned room, we hope you’ll find these true adventures of RP history enjoyable and informative.

My first contact with the McFarland family came decades after most of the history related in this issue. I was a new student at Geneva College in 1978, and I came to the campus without knowing a soul. I was from a mainline (but evangelical) Presbyterian congregation and knew little about the RPCNA or its members. Three of my four roommates, I was soon to discover, were RPs—two McFarlands and a Harrington.

In the days since, I’ve heard plenty of stereotypes about Reformed Presbyterians, especially “blueblood” Reformed Presbyterians. As with most stereotypes, they weren’t stated in a complimentary way. While I do not doubt the experience of those who have expressed those opinions, my own experience has not mirrored theirs. The five of us roommates got along famously and decided to room together the following year. Though I was surprised that my roommates seemed to know Reformed Presbyterians across the country, they never made me feel on the outside. We simply related as all friends would.

Having roomed with two McFarlands for two years, I have some stories of my own that aren’t retold in the books that are coming out! One of many great memories is of the day that Matt’s father, Joe (see his article here), came to campus by plane. He graciously offered free plane rides to Matt’s friends. Never having flown in a single-engine plane before (or since), I was eager to go, if a bit apprehensive. The feeling of flying suspended in a small metal bucket is both exhilarating and scary. But it doesn’t take long to appreciate the unique views of God’s creation, and it’s something one never forgets.

It’s quite a revelation to realize that I can now relate to some of the “ancient” RP history in the pages of these two books. But through reading them I’ve gained a greater understanding of the truly amazing providence of God and the remarkable adventures of some Reformed Presbyterians who just sought to live peaceable lives of following the Lord. I hope you’ll enjoy the stories from these books as much as I did.