Mr. James Fraser, M.A., Strathpeffer, completed his studies in divinity in the early part of this year, and the Northern Presbytery fixed the 10th day of June, 1947, as the date for his licensing and being ordained as a Missionary to the Church’s Mission Field in Southern Rhodesia, Africa.
The Presbytery met in Dingwall, on the afternoon of 10th June, and duly licensed Mr. Fraser to be a preacher of the gospel.
Thereafter, the Presbytery met, in the Free Presbyterian Church, Dingwall, at 6.30 p.m., and Rev. D. A. Macfarlane conducted public worship and preached from Hebrews, chap. ix., verses 13-14: ” . . . How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” There was a large congregation present, composed of friends from many parts of the country, including Rev. N. MacIntyre, Edinburgh, and Rev. J. A. Tallach, Kames; and these ministerial brethren were associated with the Presbytery.
Following the sermon, the Clerk, Rev. F. MacLeod, Dornoch, read a brief narrative of the proceedings leading up to the matter of Mr. Fraser’s ordination. The Moderator, Rev. A. F. Mackay, M.A., Inverness, now called upon Mr. Fraser to stand up and put to him the questions usually asked of Probationers before ordination, and having received satisfactory answers to the same, Mr. Fraser then signed the formula in presence of the congregation. He was then set apart by solemn prayer and imposition of hands to the office of the holy ministry. Thereafter, the Moderator formally received and admitted him as a member of the Northern Presbytery and inducted him to work in the South African Mission Field, in name and by authority of the Divine Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Moderator and other members of Presbytery then offered Mr. Fraser the right hand of fellowship.
The Rev. John Tallach, formerly of Africa, addressed the newly-ordained Missionary, and among other things, said: “When tempted to doubt if you are in the right place—the place God means you to be in—trace God’s leading of you by His Word and in His Providence into the place which you occupy. You will strengthen yourself and forestall the “enemy” if you make a habit of so doing. Remember that Christ is not only with you but that He goes before you. Among the heathen—at distant outstations—wherever Christ means you to go, He is there before you, waiting for you, waiting to bless and strengthen you. I know that the prayers and whole-hearted sympathy of the people at home (in Scotland) are behind you and the work of the Mission.”
The Moderator now called upon other members of Presbytery to speak.
Rev. W. Grant, Halkirk, said: “The occasion of our meeting here to-night recalls reading an account of a similar gathering 43 years ago. It was the ordination, in St. Jude’s Church, Glasgow, of the late Rev. John B. Radasi to the office of the ministry for missionary work in South Africa. Mr. Radasi did pioneer work as our Church’s first missionary to the heathen in that land. His footsteps were directed by the Lord, and a small, but prosperous beginning was made. About 14 years later he was called to receive the Master’s “Well done, good and faithful servant,” but another was ready to take his place in the person of Rev. John Tallach. Others followed, and to-night we have the pleasure of seeing Mr. Fraser, one possessed of natural and gracious gifts, ordained as Missionary to that same field. The harvest is great and an increasing need for men of diverse gifts and qualifications, called by the Lord, confronts us there. Mr. Fraser and his fellow-labourers will, we believe, have the continued prayerful, and practical support of the Church, not only in Scotland, but in Canada, and elsewhere. He will carry our warm greetings to Dr. Macdonald and household, to Rev. Edwin Radasi, to Miss Mackay (who carries a heavy teaching burden, since the home-coming, on well-earned leave, of Mrs. and Miss Nicolson), and others. We take this opportunity of sending the same to friends in Australia, and New Zealand, by Rev. F. McLeod, Dornoch, now about to sail as deputy to these countries.
We prayerfully wish Mr. and Mrs. Fraser, and daughter, a safe journey, with the rich blessing of the Lord resting upon them. Although separated in body from their near and dear ones and their brethren, there is a meeting-place at a throne of grace.”
Rev. J. A. Tallach, in a brief address, pointed out that Mr. Fraser’s going out to the Foreign Field was a great cause of encouragement to us as a Church, in as much as he, by the grace of God, was to devote his talents and activities to this all-important sphere of labour, in connection with the cause of the gospel of Christ. Mr. Tallach emphasised that those who took part in the Ordination had virtually contracted with God to be devoted to the work, for which Mr. Fraser had been personally set apart. Rev. R. R. Sinclair, Wick, reminded Mr. Fraser that he went forth to this precious work among the natives of Africa on the basis of Christ’s commission, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”; and that he had an interest in Christ’s declaration, “All power is given unto Me,” and in His promise, “Lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world.” Mr. Sinclair said that he and others believed that Mr. Fraser had “counted the cost,” as one who knew by personal experience the plan and circumstances of his future missionary activities. “We desire and pray,” said Mr. Sinclair, “that the Lord, by His Spirit, will work with Mr. Fraser, to the reaping of harvests in the conversion of many precious souls among the natives of Africa.”
The service was closed with the singing of the last three verses of the 72nd Psalm: “His name for ever shall endure,” etc., and with the Benediction.
The Presbytery, and friends throughout the Church at home and abroad, we are assured, join in wishing Rev. Mr. Fraser, his wife and daughter, all blessings according to God’s riches in glory by Christ Jesus.—Robert R. Sinclair, Clerk of Presbytery.