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Rev Matthew Fraser, originally from Rothesay, was called by the congregation of Bell Street as assistant minister in 1808, the call was accepted and Matthew Fraser was ordained there on the 4th October 1809. The senior minister of the charge, Rev James McEwan, came under criticism from the congregation for not taking his full share of the work, leaving Rev Fraser with the bulk of the workload. Rev McEwan gave poor health as a reason and expressed his willingness to redress the situation and take on more of the preaching work. However, after preaching to the congregation on 19 Sabbath 1813, he died on the following Saturday, the 25 September. Rev Fraser then became the sole pastor at Bell Street where he was well respected, and he contined to lead the flock for many years. Sometime later a junior minister, Rev Borthwick, was inducted into the church to assist Rev Fraser. In Rev Fraser's latter years the congregation expressed some disatisfaction with his preaching, and thought that perhaps he was hindering the progress of his young assistant. In view of this unrest amongst the congregation a petition was submitted to the Presbytery to sanction a division of the congregation, each taking its own minister. The Presbytery met in Bell Street on 3rd June 1845 to discuss the matter and seek a peaceful solution. Arguments for and against a division of the congregation were heard and Reverends Fraser and Borthwick both gave their own accounts, and it was at that meeting that Rev Fraser tendered his resignation as minister at Bell Street. The whole matter was put before the Synod, where it was decided not to divide the congregation. Rev Fraser's resignation was initally refused, but after it was resubmitted some time later, it was accepted and he was released from his charge on 23 September 1845. There was a great feeling amongst the congregation and the Presbytery that Rev Fraser had acted throughout these difficult times, with great dignity and Christian meekness. This was evident from the farewell soiree held for him on 13 October 1845 when nearly 1300 people were present. He left Dundee to go back to Rothesay where he died on 8 September 1857 at age 82. |