The Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee wish to place on record its deep sense of loss on the death of its Missionary in Southern Rhodesia, the Rev. J. S. Fraser, M.A.
James Fraser was born on 17th May, 1913. He was the only son of the late Mr. S. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser who were for many years resident in Strathpeffer. Mr. S. Fraser was a highly respected elder in our Dingwall Congregation. Mrs. Fraser, who now lives in Dingwall, is still spared to mourn the loss of her son.
Early in life, Mr. Fraser went through the great change whereby he was brought from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear son. In 1935, he became a member in full communion in our Dingwall Congregation. By this time he had completed his scholastic studies by graduating M.A. at Glasgow University and went on in 1935-36 to take his Teacher-Training course. He taught temporarily until 1938 when he went out to Rhodesia to teach at Ingwenya. The original arrangement was that he was to be there for 18 months, but the outbreak of the Second World War prevented him coming home. He was then employed by the Southern Rhodesian Government in training native teachers at Hope Fountain Teacher-Training Centre.
In 1945, Mr. Fraser returned home. By this time, he felt he had been divinely called to devote his life to the work of the ministry in the Mission Field. He took his Divinity course and a course in dentistry and returned to Rhodesia in 1947 where he took up work at Zenka in the Shangani Reserve. In 1954, he moved up to Mbuma where he commenced a Teacher-Training Centre and opened a new place for missionary enterprise.
Mr. Fraser possessed unique gifts for the work to which he was called and to which he gave himself so whole-heartedly. His abilities as an educationalist earned him the highest respect of both Europeans and Africans in the teaching profession in Rhodesia. The Teacher-Training Centres both in Government and Mission circles throughout the Country are run on principles evolved by him. One African remarked to a European, “Mr. Fraser can come into your class-room and by looking at your black-board can tell whether or not you are a good teacher!” He greatly rejoiced at the founding of a Teacher-Training Centre of our own where our teachers could be trained for our schools in an atmosphere in which Free Presbyterian principles prevailed. He never lost sight of the fact that education was but a handmaid to the instructing of souls in the wisdom of Heaven.
It was as a missionary, however, that Mr. Fraser appeared in the light in which his Master was most honoured and served. He possessed a most remarkable insight into the African mind and could enter into their problems with sympathy and understanding. While this gift was undoubtedly granted to him by the Lord of the Vineyard for the purposes of the work to which he was called, yet it is also true that it had its basis in Mr. Fraser’s devoted love to the souls of the Africans to whom he preached the everlasting Gospel. This is fully borne out by the fact that the name by which he was known among them was, “The man who loves the people.” No greater tribute could be paid to him by the people among whom he laboured so earnestly. The Lord blessed his preaching to many souls who were brought to the knowledge of the Saviour through his instrumentality, and some of those are left behind to mourn his departure.
His relations with the Committee were always of a most cordial nature and we would seek to thank God for our “fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Phil. 1:5.) As his Reports to the Synod show, he had a wide and comprehensive grasp of the whole situation. His spiritual and educational qualities constituted him an outstanding figure in Missionary activity in Southern Rhodesia. His departure to be with Christ at the early age of 46 years is, thus, a tremendous loss to our Mission and to the Church at large. It needs to be remembered, however, that the Lord who has taken His servant from us is the One in Whom lies all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and Who is able to supply all the needs of His Cause.
Mr. Fraser, his wife and family, were due to leave for this Country in January. In December Mr. Fraser was busy clearing up his affairs in preparation for his home-coming when he took ill and was removed to Bulawayo Hospital. There, everything was done which medical skill could devise to treat his condition but all to no avail. He passed away to be with His Divine Master on Saturday, 28th March, to the great sorrow of all who knew him. His remains were laid beside those of his infant child and Rev. J. B. Radasi at Ingwenya. A large number of people, estimated to be over 2,000, gathered to his funeral to show their respect for “the man who loved the people.” “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them.” (Rev. 14. 13.)
To his widow and children, as to his mother and sisters, the Committee extend their heartfelt sympathy and pray that they may enjoy, at this time, the consolations of the God of all comfort and the Father of mercy.
John Colquhoun, Convener.
Donald MacLean, Clerk.