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In my seminary days John Mackay had brought onto the faculty two young instructors, Bruce Metzger and Charlie Fritsch, in Greek and Hebrew respectively. We admired and enjoyed them both. We joked later, of course, about Bruce’s master stroke, marrying a daughter of the president; but over the years I continued to admire Bruce in his career, and to enjoy the friendship that Martha, my wife, and I maintained with Bruce and Isobel each time our paths crossed. What always distinguished Bruce, in addition to his accomplished scholarship, was his unfailing courtesy and kindness toward everyone who approached him.
Donald R. Fletcher (M.Div., 1943)
Monroe Township, New Jersey

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Bruce Metzger was one of the greatest scholars I have ever had as a teacher. His photographic memory was remarkable. In response to a question, he would cite author, title, page, and position on a page before quoting the reference. Equally influential were his humanity and grace. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
Robert L. Moreland (M.Div., 1945)
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

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I arrived at PTS in the fall of 1943 when Bruce Metzger was not yet married nor a full professor. He most graciously invited me to have lunch with him at his club, just to get better acquainted. Adjusting to that first year was difficult for me and I was deeply impressed when he dropped in at my room in Hodge Hall, late one afternoon, just to encourage me and offer his help and support.

In every class lecture he radiated an infectious sense of pure joy in the scholarship of the New Testament and he was skilled at seeing the humorous side as well. How can we ever forget his good-natured reprimand: “Oh, the infinite capacity of the human mind to resist the entrance of knowledge.”

The world will remember him as a great New Testament scholar; I will ever remember him as a warm, compassionate Christian gentleman.
Paul H. Wilson (B.D., 1946)
New Oxford, Pennsylvania

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What long-lasting benefits can be granted in an exchange of so few words! An after-class conversation with Dr. Metzger in spring 1947 did that for me. His class in New Testament that day had elicited my question about biblical inspiration: how could I be certain that I was hearing God’s voice? His response: “The Holy Spirit was active the day those words were written, and the Lord promised the Spirit to you in the reading.” When I am studying the Word, Bruce’s words to me, a neophyte minister, still prompt me to await guidance.
Robert W. Bruns (attended 1949)
Boulder, Colorado

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Dr. Metzger was my teacher as an undergraduate. I commuted to Princeton to get my Th.M. degree in New Testament with him from 1950 to 1952. I will always remember his attention to detail and helpful suggestions in writing my thesis. Dr. Metzger always remembered me and greeted me personally. I am now living near Harrisburg and was interested to know that he was born in this area. I was pleased to see the coverage given to his life in the Harrisburg Patriot-News.
Charles J. Hooker Jr. (M.Div., 1949; Th.M., 1952)
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

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Following is an excerpt from the letter I wrote to Mrs. Metzger:
“1948–49 was my senior year at PTS. During that year I entered the competition for the Fellowship in New Testament. By God’s grace, the prize was awarded to me, which gave me the opportunity for a year of graduate study. As I consulted with Dr. Metzger about a plan of study, he suggested that I work on a collation of a Greek gospel lectionary, which was in the Rare Book Room of the Princeton University library. This was a work that had great appeal for me and I was exceedingly grateful to him for that suggestion, and also for the many ways in which he counseled me during that year of graduate study (1949–1950), which resulted in my receiving the degree of Th.M.
John H. Houdeshel (B.D., 1949; Th.M., 1950)
Lancaster, Pennsylvania