A SCENE IN A CHURCH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 809, 4 December 1882, Page 2

A SCENE IN A CHURCH.

The St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Christchurch. has lately come very prominently under public notice in consequence of the scandal connected with the minister, the Rev. Charles Fraser. Owing to certain grave charges of immorality, etc., brought against this rev. gentleman, the Presbytery decided to suspend him and appointed the Rev. Mr Blake to fill his place. Mr Fraser denied the authority of the Presbytery to take this step, and announced his intention of conducting the services at St. Andrew’s yesterday as usual. Anticipating a “scene” some 400 persons assembled in front of the Church yesterday morning, and waited for admittance. It was apparent that the majority of these people had come solely from motives of curiosity. They had to wait, for only the supporters of Mr Fraser and the members of the choir were admitted

before 11 o’clock, when the Church doors were thrown open and the crowd surged in to the music of the organ and the singing of a hymn, more as if they were going into a theatre on Boxing night than anything else. The squeezing and pushing were terrible, but fortunately no accidents occurred. Shortly before this the Rev. Mr Blake and Messrs Paxton and Stuart, members of the congregation, knocked for admission, which was refused, and they had to wait for the opening of the doors and take their chance with the rest. The pulpit was occupied by the Rev. Fraser, who was attired in the usual gown and bands of the Presbyterian Ministry, while the organist, precentor, and choir were all in their accustomed places. Mr Blake walked up the aisle and read the following protest: —“By the authority of the Presbytery, and the wish of the trustees, I am here to-day to occupy the pulpit, and I have to protest against any one occupying it other than those duly appointed." The rev. gentleman then read out the resolutions, condemnatory of Mr Fraser, passed by the Presbytery, and was waved back by Mr Fraser. In the meantime the service proceeded in the usual manner, the rush for seats having pretty well drowned the opening hymn, indeed one pew broke down with the weight of the crowd, and cries resounded of “Put him out,” etc. Order was, however, presently restored, and Mr Fraser preached from the sixth chapter of Isaiah. There was another large congregation in the evening.