THE ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH SCANDAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 814, 9 December 1882, Page 2

THE ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH SCANDAL.

A special meeting of the congregation of St. Andrew’s Church was held last evening, for the purpose of appointing additional trustees and other business. The Rev. Mr Fraser occupied the chair, and about 100 persons were present. — Mr McHaffie opened the proceedings by remarking he had a painful duty to perform. He understood that the Rev. Charles Fraser had been suspended by the Presbytery from the position of minister of the congregation, and that consequently he was not warranted in presiding at any Church meeting or Church Court. If the meeting desired it he would read the letter. — The Rev, Mr Fraser said there was no necessity for reading the letter. It had already been read on Sunday. Mr Fraser wound up by observing, “Let us pray.” Subsequently the rev. gentleman entered into a long explanation, and defended himself against the charges that had been laid at his door. He wished to come forward and say that he had from the first distinctly denied them all, and that every action he had taken had been in the direction of showing that he had done so. When he was told some time ago that some acts of his had been regarded with suspicion by his fellow ministers, he at once said that he would be glad to give them an explanation. He met them for that purpose, and, so far as he could learn, the explanation was satisfactory. But he found that this was simply a move in order to bring up some matters that had occurred several, he might say many, years ago. That was the object and intention, and it was enough, he thought, for him to say that he came forward at a former time quite prepared to meet those charges then as he was now. It would be for the congregation to say whether they intended to go back beyond the fair and reasonable period that was usually employed. The Presbytery, the congregation, and himself on that occasion met together, and the decision was entirely in his favor. In fact, though challenged, no charges were made at that meeting, and to his mind it was very doubtful whether they would be able to frame a charge even now. But he felt very strongly in the matter, as might be imagined. Having a thing said about a minister was as bad as if it were proved against any other man. That was the difference consequent upon the position that a minister occupied, and it was not desirable that imputations should be allowed to rest against his name. In all the actions he had taken

he had done his best, in accordance with his own knowledge of the Church law, and according to the best advice he could get. He hoped that the offer he had made to go before the Supreme Court of the Church—the General Assembly—in order that the case might be decided by that tribunal, and the offer he now made

that the matter should go in a plain and deliberate form before a committee of the congregation, would have that result. It was subsequently resolved — "That a committee, consisting of the Kirk Session, along with two other members selected by the congregation, and two selected by Mr Fraser, apply to the Presbytery for a certified copy of the evidence taken for and against Mr Fraser, and examine into the same, and report thereon to the congregation at an early date. Mr Boag then moved, and Mr Leslie seconded-—“That

the congregation consider it unnecessary and uncalled for to go behind the resolution of the congregational meeting held under the presidency of the Presbytery, or further back than five years ago, and instructs the committee to confine itself to charges made from that time to the present date. Mr Craig moved the following amendment — "That, with a view to consistency wiht the first resolution the committee consider the whole of the evidence instead of a portion of it only." Mr Reece asked why they should harrow a. man's life out by brinding up charges twelve and fourteen years old. It was contemtible and unworthy of a body like the Presbytery. Why did they not bring forward the charges at the time like men, and not keep whimpering like a lot of curs about matters that occurred years and years ago. Such conduct was disgusting and contemptible. 43 hands were held up for Mr Boag's resolution, and 13 for the amendment proposed by Mr Craig, which latter was therefore lost. Mr McHaffie read a protest against the legality of the meeting on the ground that it was presided over by a suspended minister. Mr Paxton moved— "That the congregation call upon Rev.Charles Fraser to submit to the jurlsdiciion of the Presbytery of Christchurch, and defend the libel about to be served upon him if he can do so.” The Rev. C. Fraser ruled the motion out of order, and declined to put it. The rev. gentleman then closed the meeting with player.