The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

Chapter 18 : Candidates for the Gospel Ministry

Paragraph 3 : Examination of the Candidate

18-3. The applicant shall appear before the Presbytery in person, and shall be examined by the Presbytery on experiential religion and on his motives for seeking the ministry.
If the testimonials and the examination prove satisfactory, the Presbytery shall receive him under its care after the following manner:
The moderator shall propose to the applicant these questions:
1. Do you promise in reliance upon the grace of God to maintain a becoming Christian character, and to be diligent and faithful in making full preparation for the sacred ministry?
2. Do you promise to submit yourself to the proper supervision of the Presbytery in matters that concern your preparation for the ministry?
If these questions be answered in the affirmative, the moderator, or someone appointed by him, shall give the candidate a brief charge; and the proceeding shall close with prayer.
The name of the applicant is then to be recorded on the Presbytery's roll of candidates for the ministry.

DIGEST: The current PCA text dates to ______.

BACKGROUND & COMPARISON:
PCA 1973, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly,
After the Committee has made its report concerning the reception of an applicant he shall appear before the Presbytery in person, and shall be examined by the Presbytery on experimental religion and on his motives for seeking the ministry. In making application to be taken under the care of the Presbytery, the candidate for the ministry, in addition to presenting testimonials from his church Session, shall be examined by the Presbytery on experimental religion and on his motives for seeking the ministry.
If the testimonials and the examination prove satisfactory, the Presbytery shall receive him under its care after the following manner:
The Moderator shall propose to the candidate these questions:
(1) Do you promise in reliance upon the grace of God to maintain a becoming Christian character, and to be diligent and faithful in making full preparation for the sacred ministry?
(2) Do you promise to submit yourself to the proper supervision of the Presbytery in matters that concern your preparation for the ministry?
If these questions be answered in the affirmative, the Moderator, or some one appointed by him, shall give the candidate a brief charge; and the proceedings shall close with prayer. The name of the candidate is then to be recorded on the Presbytery's Roll of Candidates for the Ministry.

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text,

PCUS 1933, XXI, § 104
PCUS 1925, XXI, § 104
In making application to be taken under the care of the Presbytery, the candidate for the ministry, in addition to presenting testimonials from his church Session, shall be examined by the Presbytery on experimental religion and on his motives for seeking the ministry.
If the testimonials and the examination prove satisfactory, the Presbytery shall receive him under its care after the following manner:
The Moderator shall propose to the candidate these questions:
(1) Do you promise in reliance upon the grace of God to maintain a becoming Christian character, and to be diligent and faithful in making full preparation for the sacred ministry?
(2) Do you promise to submit yourself to the proper supervision of the Presbytery in matters that concern your preparation for the ministry?
If these questions be answered in the affirmative, the Moderator, or some one appointed by him, shall give the candidate a brief charge; and the proceedings shall close with prayer. The name of the candidate is then to be recorded on the Presbytery's Roll of Candidates for the Ministry.

No comparable text in the following editions:
1. PCUS 1879
2. PCUS 1869 draft
3. PCUS 1867 draft

COMMENTARY:
F.P. Ramsay, Exposition of the Book of Church Order, on Chapter 2, section 1 :
[no comparable text]