THE LATE REV. THOMAS McKENZIE FRASER, M.A.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 183, 11 August 1885, Page 2

THE LATE REV. THOMAS McKENZIE FRASER, M.A.

o , Citizens of Auckland generally, outside the congregation of St. David's Preebyteriai; Church, will learn with sincere regret of th« tlcuth of the Rev. Thomas McKonssie Eraser, who for four years past has occupied the pulpit of St. David's, Mr Fraser's demist was not immediately expected by his friends Only yesterday ho appeared somewhat hotter, but the promise proved but the tern porory brighteniojr of the flame of life before its titiul exit into the shadow-land. The disease which curried him off was affectiot of the liver. Ho died at Now Manse, View Point, Mt. Eden, into which he moved frotr Grafton Road about eight weeks sioco, Mr Fraßer was a native of Inverness, which is regarded as the capital of tho Highlands of Scotland, surrounded by memories ol Scottish history and scenes of beauty and grandeur. A short timo ago, in his intro ductory lecture to the St, David's Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society, entitled " When I was a Boy," Mr Frasertold very graphically the romantic story of hit eariy lifo in Scotland, and bis educational years at tho famous Christ's Hospital, London, familiarly known an the " Bluecoat School." Ho quitted this school foi King's College. Old Aberdeen, whore he distinguished himself as a Greek scholar, carrying off the highest prizes, three yean out of four, and leaving with the dogreo ol M.A. Bis theological studies were prosecuted at Edinburgh, under tho colebrated Dr. Thomas Chalmers, as he told hie audience in St. James's Hall, in hie ablo lecture on Chalmers. Before he had closed his studies under his eminent precoptors, he was ohoaen minister of the Free Church in a neighbouring district, the congregation agreeing to wait until he should receive bis license from the Presbytery of Edinburgh. "In the quiet parish, Yester," he said, " I spent the first eleven years of my ministry, the monotony of which was varied by frequent visits to Edinburgh, where I enjoyed the society of my sister, Lydia Falconor Fraser, who became tho wife of Hugh Miller, the well-known geologist, and author of the 'Old Red Sandstone.'" In Miller's "My Schools and Schoolmasters," tho story of this lady is poetically related. Mr Fraser for several years contributed and reported for Hugh Miller's "Christian Witness." Mr Fraser was so attached to his country and the quietude of the parish that he declined to accept 6evoral tempting offers at Islington and elsewhere. In 1856 Mr'Frasßr was selected by his friend, Dr. Guthrie (the philanthropic friend of the ragged and homeless children of the Scottish capital), to go out to Singapore. Mr Fraser accepted the position, and spent four years and a-half in that beautiful island, where he successfully established a mission to the Chinese. In 1861, with the view of having his family about him, he resigned his charge at Singapore and went to Victoria, where he received the appointment of minister of the High Church, Geelong, andtherehe laboured for 19 years, and founded the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund, which he said gladdened the old age and broken health of 1 about twenty superannuated pastors, and now amounts to the respectable sum of £14,000. Mr Fraser also assisted and strengthened many other benevolent institutions. He also originated the Loan Fund for assisting in tho erection of churches and manses throughout the colony, and which distributes upwards of £2,000 per annum to struggling congregations During his ministry in Geelong, he published a volume, "Sermons for Colonists," which bad a wide colonial circulation. On leaving Victoria for this colony, chiefly for tho benefit of his health, his old friends presented him with an address and a purse of 400 sovereigns. Shortly after arriving in New Zealand, he accepted fho pastorate of St. David's Presbyterian Church, Auckland, where he continued to minister with much acceptance to the period of his death. Since Mr Fraser has laboured at St. David's tho congregation has largoly increased in numbers, and his sermons and lectures on Scripture characters have been exceedingly instructive and attractive in stylo. Ho was moreover, a linguist, a correct scholar, with, apparoßtly, a ready, commani of the choicest and most forcible language, whilo his manner was characterised by earnestness, eloquence, and clearness of utterance His presenco will be long missed by those who listened to his teachings, both in the church and the classes connected therewith. For some weeks past he experienced intimation of the approaching end of his earthly journey, and at last expressed himself prepared for the great change. During his illness he has been -visited by Bishop Co-wie, Yen. Archdeacon Dudley, and other ministers and friends out of his denomination. Dr. Stockwell was his medical attendant. He leaves a widow and five daughters to mourn their loss. Tho funeral takes place tomorrow.