A WELCOME VISITOR TO NEW ZEALAND

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 6, 1 July 1946, Page 10

A WELCOME VISITOR TO NEW ZEALAND

Canon Henry Frazer

Christchurch members honour their Miss Gordon, aged eighty-three years the only surviving member who was present at Mrs. Mary Clement Leavitt’s meeting sixty-one years ago, when the Christchurch branch was formed.

On a recent Sunday evening, at Miss Gordon’s invitation, I visited the Anglican Church of vvliich she is a member, that of St* John the Baptist, Latimer Square. The preacher was Canon Henry Frazer, M.A., late of Liverpool, who has undertaken parochial work here for a period. Though seventy-five years of age, he has not lost his vigour, and gave us of his best in his sermon on the text: "In my Father’s House are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you.’’

It was of very real interest to me to hear Canon Frazer, because of his great Temperance work in England, both in the Church of England Temperance Society and in his writings. For some years I have made use of the matter contained in his valuable booklet, “The Church, the State, and the Drink; Traffic,” in my Temperance addresses. "The Bible, the Church and the Drink’’ is equally valuable. His "Tips and Tipsters” attacks the Gambling evil. He has been a staunch advocate of the use of unfermented wine in the Communion, and has stood stoutly against opposition from some high officers in his own Church. He acknowledges with gratitude, however, support received from many of the Anglican communion, both Bishops and laymen. The booklets quoted were written twenty years ago, but arc just as fresh today, and it is to be regretted that they are nearly out of print. Speaking to me personally, after the service. Canon Frazer ''aid that he regretted that in recent years his work in a parish of 10,000 souls had not left him the time he would have liked for Temperance work. W e honour him greatly for what he has done, and wish him a happy stay in our country. A warm welcome to New Zealand, Canon Frazer, from the W'.C.T.U. and other Temperance bodies. L. K. Y. GRIG(i. ——