John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides, an autobiography edited by his Brother
Paton, J. G., & Paton, J. (n.d.). John G. Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides: An autobiography edited by his brother.
In the 19th century, John G. Paton embarked on a journey as a missionary to the New Hebrides, which is known today as Vanuatu. The autobiography (published by Banner of Truth) that Paton started and his brother completed is one of daring, commitment, and fortitude. It provides an example for those of us that are walking day to day with the struggles of this world to strengthen our resolve, improve our prayer lives for our children, to embrace the challenges of sharing the gospel with those that are not like us and to be forever inclined to the work of the Lord.
John Paton was born into a solid, Christian family in 1824. His early life in poverty was followed by cutting his missionary teeth in the slums of Glasgow, Scotland. However, it was the cannibals of the South Seas that beckoned him away from the isle of Europe to the island east of the coast of Australia in the South Pacific. Paton’s voyage was not the first missionary foray to the island as John Williams and James Harris had both attempted the evangelical work with the natives. Both missionaries were clubbed to death after only a few minutes on the island. Paton would face similar attempts on his life. Although faced with many heartaches, loss and sickness, Paton devoted his life to making Christ known to the cannibals in this distant South Pacific land.
A cursory timeline of Paton's life on the island is incredibly dire and foreboding. Paton and his wife arrived on the island on November 5, 1858, he had his first child on February 12, 1859 and he watched his wife die less than a month later on March 3, 1859. Three weeks to the day of his wife’s death, his infant baby died, and the mourning husband and father laid both family members to rest in a grave dug by his own hands. Paton’s solitary life continued with only his trusted dog sleeping by his side each night to warn him of possible danger from the cannibals who lived in the bush in the woods right next to his home.
Besides the near devastating family loss, other events tormented Paton in his work and made sharing the gospel difficult. One of the most extraordinary days transpired when one of the wild chiefs of the region followed him around with a loaded musket pointed at his head for several hours. Paton responded by continuing to work and speaking to him with kindness in between prayers for his safety to the Lord. Paton was sure that the prayers were answered as the Lord restrained the chief from shooting throughout the day. In response to the many hardships and blessings Paton encounters in the wild he states, "I spoke kindly to him, and attended to my work as if he had not been there, fully persuaded that my God had placed me there, and would protect me till my allotted task was finished. Looking up in unceasing prayer to our dear Lord Jesus, I left all in his hands, and felt immortal till my work was done” (p. 117). His prayers are a sound tribute to our Father above in the midst of terrible difficulty.
Danger was continuous. On another evening, a native, Ian, held a dagger to his heart as Paton silently prayed for what seemed like an endless period of time that the tip of the knife which rested next to his heart would be withdrawn. Once again, Paton’s prayers were answered as he was allowed to run away to safety. On another occasion, Paton was forced to hide from searching natives for ten hours in the top of a tree. Paton poignantly describes the alarming peril of time in this way:
Yet I sat there among the branches, as safe as in the arms of Jesus. Never, in all my sorrows, did my Lord draw nearer to me, and speak more soothingly in my soul, than when the moonlight flickered among those chestnut leaves, and the night air played on my throbbing brow, as I told all my heart to Jesus. Alone, yet not alone! If it be to glorify my God, I will not grudge to spend many nights alone in such a tree, to feel again my Savior’s spiritual presence, to enjoy His consoling fellowship. (p.21).
Throughout the Bible, other Biblical characters faced similar hardship with great joy. As I think of Paul sitting in a Roman prison as depicted in Philippians 1, I am encouraged by his example. Paul demonstrates great spiritual maturity which is an example for us all. I want to follow the example of one John G. Paton and be as committed to the task at hand as those that risk life and limb for the sharing of the gospel. Today, this sacrifice happens on a regular basis around the world while we live in a life of seeming comfort here in the United States. Lord, help me to be a Paul and a Paton, excited for the work that we face now and will face in the future. Let me be filled with contentment and be a source of encouragement like Paton and others who know hardship and yet suffer well.
Note: John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides, an autobiography edited by his Brother is on Pastor Clint's recommended list and is on sale in our bookstore.
