Hey,

Where did you put your custom1.php file?

I don't have a file named custom1.php... It's a template that's here:

/blocks/defunct_testimonials/templates/custom1/view.php

This template works when applied to the block's "custom templates" menu... Should it not work when calling the 'render' method?

Try

/blocks/defunct_testimonials/templates/custom1.php

That seems to have worked! Many thanks for your help.
When I had created custom templates before I thought it had to be that path/format... "[root]/blocks/block_name/templates/template_name/view.php"
So, did this change at some point in the last couple years? Or is this something unique to packages as opposed to regular blocks?

I just read this:
http://www.concrete5.org/index.php?cID=49182...

Cool, thanks again!