John G Paton

This book is an account of a missionary in the 1800's who was born in Scotland. 

John's father at 17 years of age decided to follow Christ. He asked his mother if they could not only attend church but have morning and evening prayer and bible reading in their home. Up to his death he followed this principle and could recite a lot of the psalms when read verbally. He prayed for local people - one woman known as the worst woman locally used to creep underneath his window late at night and heard him pleading in family worship that God would convert "the sinner from the error  of wicked ways and polish him as a jewel for the Redeemer's crown." Now that is some prayer! She said "I felt that I was a burden on that good man's heart and I knew that God would not disappoint him. That thought kept me out of Hell and at last led me to the only Saviour." Amazing grace!

With a legacy like that it is no wonder his son went to the mission field.

John Paton's father wanted to be a minister but he soon realised this was not what God wanted. He then set his prayer that if God gave him sons, he would consecrate them unreservedly to the ministry of Christ, if the Lord saw fit to accept the offering, and open up their way. He lived to see three of his sons entering upon and not unblessed in the Holy Office— John the eldest born; his brother Walter, several years his junior; and his brother James, the youngest of eleven, the Benjamin of the flock.

What an amazing answer to prayer!

John Paton went to serve in the New Hebrides, an island group in the South Pacific Ocean. Within a year of arrival he lost both his wife and son. John's own life hung in the balance.

They worked amongst cannibals, the first 2 missionaries who arrived on these islands were clubbed to death and their bodies eaten. The next 2 missionaries had to escape for their lives and moved to Samoa where they began a very fruitful ministry for the Lord.

Within 3 months of arrival Mary Ann, wife of John Paton had started a class for 8 females. In her last letter home she wrote a very detailed description of the women of the islands and how she was working hard in trying to communicate with then. John knew in his heart what might happen but never so quickly.

Imagine travelling all the way from Scotland to serve Christ and never see beyond one year in such a strange place amongst people who didn't understand you nor could share about God.

A good portion of the first half of this book is harrowing to read - 3 Chiefs of the natives decided they did not like John Paton or the Mathieson's who laboured with him in the New Hebrides. These 3 chiefs belonged to 4 villages on the island of Tanna and they stole all of John's property.  They cut down his bananas and broke into his house.  They persecuted him so badly that John and the Mathieson's had to flee the island.  The Mathieson's died soon afterwards.  This book is a record by John himself of what actually happened and it is so very graphic in detail!  In the next part of the book is included a letter written by Christians on the island to the Governor of New South Wales.  Clearly they wanted the chiefs and natives to be punished for their actions.

John records that after his expulsion he decided to travel throughout Australia and inform everyone of his work, pleading for people to return with him to Tanna.  John later re-married and spent 25 years working amongst the natives of the New Hebrides.  The island of Aniwa turned from idolatry and a church was planted from which many native evangelists and teachers were sent out from.  John worked tirelessly to raise money and encourage people to minister with him.  He travelled extensively in Scotland, Ireland and England with this purpose in mind.

Before the second part of his life story was issued 3000 copies of the first part were already sold and the entire edition of 5000 was so soon exhausted that it has been impossible to cope with the demand.

Initially every church door in Australia seemed closed to John but a chance request at one church's children's meeting John was able to explain his purpose in returning to Australia - to purchase a Mission Ship.  He gave each child who contributed sixpence a printed form in acknowledgment of the number of shares they owned.  These forms were kept in many homes for years to come and future generations were encouraged to support of the Mission Ship sent to New Hebrides.

A letter of commendation was given to John to help him as he moved from New South Wales to Victoria.  Word had already preceded him and he was invited into many Presbyterian churches and homes to share his work.  A "Gideon's fleece" was set by John - if God sent an additional £800 within a given time this would warrant him in going home to Scotland to secure more missionaries for the islands.  The fund rose to £500 including special donations of 3300 for the support of native teachers.  Many sabbath schools as well as men and women individually promised the sum of £5 yearly to keep a native teacher on one or other of the New Hebrides Islands.  John decided to send £3000 to Nova Scotia to pay for the building of a new mission ship.  The remainder was set apart to pay for the outfit and passage of additional missionaries for the field and John was commissioned to return home to Scotland in quest of them.

Throughout the book you will see amazing answers to prayer.  For instance when John and his new wife returned to Australia and on arrival in Sydney discovered that the new ship, Dayspring had arrived 3 days previously but there was no money to pay for the wages of all the sailors.  A sum of £700 was required.  John left the matter with the Lord.  John was able to secure a few meetings in local churches.  At one of these the owner of a ship that lay opposite the Dayspring were unable to attend their chosen church but heard the church bell ringing at which John was speaking so decided to go in and hear his message.  He offered John £50 to start his collection.  John was very aware that God had guided this man - although too late for their plans but not for God's!