March 26 Today in OPC History

At 9:00 A.M. on March 26, 1963, the Rev. Robert L. Atwell, moderator of the Twenty-ninth (1962) General Assembly constituted with prayer the meeting of the Thirtieth (1963) General Assembly meeting in Vineland, New Jersey. Mr. Atwell then preached from 1 Corinthians 10 and the Assembly sang in response, "Teach Me, O Lord, Thy Holy Way." After roll call for the commissioners (78 ministers and 21 ruling elders were present) and the stated clerk's report, the assembly moved to the election of officers. After two ballots, the Rev. Robert W. Eckardt was elected as stated clerk. The Reverends LeRoy Oliver and Cornelius Van Til were then nominated for moderator. Mr. Van Til requested that his name be withdrawn, after which the Reverends Henry W. Coray, Calvin A. Busch and Robert E. Nicholas were nominated. On the second ballot, Mr. Oliver was elected. He was escorted to the chair by the Rev. Edmund P. Clowney who had nominated him.

The Assembly then moved to determine the travel reimbursement for the commissioners. They were informed that the travel fund had a balance of $1,322. They determined that commissioners should receive a minimum of $10 for expenses. Those who had driven to the assembly from over 200 miles away were to receive 4 cents per mile. Those who had traveled over 3,000 miles to the assembly were to be reimbursed at the rate of 1 cent per mile.

HomePage Picture: Robert Eckardt

Picture: Top left to right clockwise, Robert Eckardt, Roy Oliver, Bob Atwell and Cornelius Van Til