WILLIAM FRASER was born at Ullapool on the 26th July, 1829. He was brought to the saving knowledge of the truth when very young, under the ministry of the Rev. George Macleod, who took a great interest in his spiritual and temporal welfare. Mr. Macleod was one of the most powerful preachers of the Gospel in the Free Church in his day, and the attention of William—even as a little boy—was attracted to him in such a manner as encouraged his minister to hope for his conversion to God. In this hope he was not disappointed.
At the age of nineteen years William went to Aberdeen as an apprentice to learn his trade as gardener. After serving his time as an apprentice he acted as gardener for several years in Aberdeen and Perthshire. In these places he met with many trials to prove his sincerity as a Christian, especially in regard to Sabbath work, but he was enabled by grace to obey the command of God before that of man. In 1860 William removed to Inverness, and was gardener at Aulnaskiach for ten years. During his time at Inverness he had the privilege of sitting under the ministry of the late Dr. MacKay, of the Free North Church, who was a faithful minister of the Gospel. While at Aultnaskiach William’s health broke down through a cold he caught, which caused a chest complaint that became chronic, and of which he did not get rid to the end. Being in delicate health, he had a desire to have a garden of his own, where he could work as his health permitted. He had a strong desire to come to Dingwall, chiefly for the purpose of attending the ministry of Dr. Kennedy. He consulted the Doctor on the subject, but for a time there was no opening for him at Dingwall. A way, was, however, opened for William to come to Dingwall. Dr. Kennedy had a park in town for his own use, and when he felt disposed to give it up he sent word to William, stating that he would give him that piece of land for a garden if he would accept of it. William was delighted at the offer, and he came to Dingwall in 1870, and used the park as a nursery and market-garden, where he carried on his business as gardener for thirty years. At the end of that period the proprietor let the garden to other parties for building purposes. But our friend was otherwise provided for in God’s good providence, so that he did not want the necessaries of life to the end.
William was an elder in the Free Church congregation in this town in Dr. Kennedy’s time and afterwards, and there was intimate friendship between them. He appreciated much the public ministry as well as the private fellowship of his excellent pastor. He joined the Free Presbyterian Church about a year after we had separated from the so-called Free Church. He examined the question for himself, and the path of duty was made clear to him before he took the decisive step, and he continued a faithful, loving, and useful office-bearer in our congregation at Dingwall to the end of his life on earth.
Towards the end it was observed that he was ripening for glory. Till within a week or so of his death he was able, though weak, to attend the public means of grace on Sabbath and week days, and it was felt when he engaged in prayer at the weekly meeting that the happy change for him was near. He was for the last four years in a very delicate state of health. One of his lungs was completely gone, and the other was fast decaying. In this state the hand of death did not need a long time to take out the last pin that kept together the earthly tabernacle. He was only a few days on his deathbed. He died on the 26th March, 1907, at the age of seventy-eight years, and is survived by his widow and a grown-up family, for whom much sympathy is felt. May the Lord be a stay to the widow and a Father to the fatherless, and may He raise up faithful witnesses for Himself, to take the place of those whom He has taken home to their eternal rest! D. M’F.
Some acknowledgments of Donations to Dingwall Church Building Fund are held over till next issue.