West Cumberland Times 2 May 1931 Rev. E.H. FRASER, M.A.

Rev. E.H. FRASER, M.A.

West Cumberland Times - 2 May 1931

Article Index Rev. E.H. FRASER, M.A. Page 2 Page 1 of 2 Whitehaven Presbyterian Church - Induction of New Minister Photo of Rev. E.H. FRASER, M.A. by  Jas. BACON and SONS, Edinburgh   The induction of the Rev. E.H. FRASER, M.A. the minister of the Whitehaven Presbyterian Church, who was formerly pastor at Holywell, Penton, near Carlisle, and succeeds the Rev. A.A. SMITH at Whitehaven, took place on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.  The service, which was of a very impressive character, was presided over by the Moderator of Presbytery, the Rev. John McKee, B.A., of Kendal.   The first part of the service followed closely on the lines of the ordinary service in Nonconformist Churches, except that the prayers and hymns were specially chosen, in view of the nature of the office to be performed.  The induction proper commenced with a recital by the Rev. John TUDHOPE (Clerk to the Presbytery) of the steps which had been taken in selecting and giving a call to the Rev. E. H. FRASER.  This had been approved and accepted "after suitable arrangements had been made, including a grant to the "sustentation fund." Then followed the "questions of the formula" which were put to the new minister by the Rev. J. McKee and were duly answered.  These consisted of declarations of faith and promises to fulfill  his office in his new church   After prayer had been offered by the Rev. J. McKee, he and members of the Presbytery extended to Mr. FRASER the right hand of fellowship.   In his charge to the minister, the Rev. G.K. McBEAN, B.A., Penrith, said this was a double occasion in the life of Mr. FRASER.  Not only was he entering a new ministry, but a new church.  Coming to Whitehaven wiht the national ecclesiastical prestige of the Church of Scotland, he would ask Mr. FRASER to remember that small though their numbers were, the Presbyterian Church of England was conscious of a definite work which it was called upon to do, a work for God in the hearts and homes of the English people.  He trusted that as minister of that "smallish" church he would have full scope to exercise any gifts which God had given him.   The Rev. E. MANN, Harrington, gave the charge to the congregation.  He said a new chapter was being begun in the history of that church, and they were no doubt wondering after making their declaration how they could help their new minister in his work.  They had promised him all dutiful respect, encouragement, and obedience to the Lord, and having got so far it was then for them to do everything possible to press forward with the work of God in that place.  Although he did not know much about the district round about them, he had had 30 years' experience of evangelical and pastoral work, and he felt  they had many things in common.   Their minister would need all the help they could give him.  He was firmly convinced that the minister needed to realise that he had the hearty co-operation of his own people in carrying out his work.  They could encourage and help him by attending regularly at church each Sunday, and by praying for him in the privacy of their own homes,and when they had a few minutes to spare at their work. The service concluded with a brief prayer, the doxology and the benediction.  A public tea was afterwards held in the Schoolroom and there was a large number of members of the congregation and friends present.  The ladies who presided at the tables were Mesdames BIRKETT, MORGAN, C. WILSON, and A.G. KENNEDY, and Misses STALKER and COOPER. To be continued... Prev - Next >>

 

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