October 22 Today in OPC History

On October 22, 1947, the Presbytery of New Jersey approved the call of Robert W. Eckardt to serve as Assistant Pastor of West Collingswood Church and licensed Meredith G. Kline. On the previous day, Mr. Kline was examined and taken under care of the presbytery. The presbytery agreed that the parts of trial to Mr. Kline that the presbytery's Committee on Christian Education administered to him before he was taken under care of the presbytery be approved. He was then examined on the floor of presbytery in English Bible and theology, after which the committee examined Mr. Kline in church history and biblical languages off the floor and returned with the recommendations that the candidate’s exams be sustained and his written papers approved. The presbytery then proceeded to license Mr. Kline, completing his trial by ordeal less than twenty-four hours after he had come under care.

Mr. Eckardt was examined over the two days in theology, church government and the sacraments, parts of Public Worship, experimental religion, philosophy and the Greek and Hebrew languages. The presbytery sustained these ordination exams and placed the call in Mr. Eckardt's hands.

After his ordination the next year, Mr. Kline would remain on the rolls of the Presbytery of New Jersey for fifty-nine years. Mr. Eckart, who was ordained and installed a month after the presbytery meeting on November 21, 1947, would serve in active OPC pastor ministry for over four decades.

Homepage Picture: Meredith Kline

Picture: Meredith Kline and Robert Eckardt