OXER, Frederick Ernest, Rev, M.A. B.D., Prof (1868-1950)
Assembly memorial minute, 1951
Frederick Ernest Oxer was born in London, on the 28th September, 1868. He did a brilliant Arts Course, taking the school of Logic and Philosophy. In his second year, he gained the Exhibition in Inductive Logic, with First Class Honours; also the Exhibition in Mental Philosophy with First Class Honours. In the Final Honours Examination he gained First Class Honours in Logic and Philosophy, and shared the scholarship. He also won the Oratory Prize at the University of Melbourne, and was a Gold Medallist at the Pharmacy College.
During residency in Ormond College he enjoyed the complete confidence of Sir John MacFarland, who regarded him as a most potent influence for good among the students. In 1893 he stroked the Ormond Eight to victory.
He graduated Master of Arts at the Melbourne University, to enter the Theological Hall, Ormond, in 1893, and complete exit in 1895. Later he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree.
His thoughts had been turned towards the ministry by Rev. J. F. Robertson, of North Melbourne. He was ordained and inducted into Albert Park in 1897; translated to Kirklands, Tasmania, in 1901; to Claremont, Western Australia, in 1909; to St. John’s, Hobart, in 1922; and to Yarram in 1923. He was appointed Professor of Theology at the Theological Hall, Ormond, in 1927, from which office he retired in 1938, and was made minister emeritus in 1939, with a seat in the Presbytery of Melbourne North.
While in Western Australia, in 1913, he was moderator of that Assembly. From 1902 to 1906 he was examiner under the General Assembly of Australia, and Principal of the Theological Hall in Perth. He was a member of the First General Assembly of Australia in 1901. In Victoria he served as Convener of the Board of Education, chairman of Presbyterian Ladies’ College Council, and secretary of the Melbourne College of Divinity.
In Hobart he attracted large audiences to his lectures on the New Psychology. Already in Perth pressure had been applied on him to accept a position in the University of Perth, but he declined, thinking his first duty was to the Church.
Professor W. Murdoch writes, “I have lived 76 years, and not known a wiser man than Professor Oxer, nor a better. I count it a great privilege to have known him.”
Professor Oxer was a faithful pastor and preacher, fortified with the certainty of the faith he expounded, and he lived as he taught. His quiet, unassuming manner won him respect. A kindly disposition made him easy of approach and of gracious understanding.
He died on Sunday, the 17th December, 1950, following a serious accident.
To Mrs. Oxer and family the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male