John G. Paton: Missionary to the South New Hebrides
When Charles Spurgeon would pray publicly, he would always thank God for doing the same thing in which he was asking His help. This practice encourages us to pray more because of our thankful acknowledgement of God’s provision in the past. One way that we can ponder God’s marvelous works is through Scripture; another way is through biographies. This month, let me introduce you to my favorite biography: John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides.
John Paton (May 24, 1824 – January 28, 1907) was raised in Scotland by godly parents. Early in life, he accredits much of his spiritual life to the prayers of his father. He taught him man’s utter dependence upon God and a zeal for Christ – two truths which would prove necessary throughout his missionary endeavors. John Paton would become a missionary to the heathen cannibals in the South New Hebrides islands. These cannibals practiced paganism, sexual abuse, revenge killings, and all sorts of utter atrocities. In this tense environment, Paton lost wife and daughter, combated vicious diseases, and evaded many attempts on his very life. The fighting without and fears within could only be alleviated by the faithful love of Christ.
One may question how Paton could accomplish anything, yet a mere summary cannot possibly process the totality of his endeavors. On the one hand, he engaged a wide assortment of Sunday School classes and Christian leaders in praying and giving toward his mission. On the other hand, he established a self-sufficient church on these islands. He records with many tears the first communion service where these former cannibals now participate in the body of Christ. Instead of describing various events, let me share one of my favorites:
“While working at the house, I required some nails and tools. Lifting a piece of planed wood, I penciled a few words on it, and requested our old Chief to carry it to Mrs. Paton, and she would send what I wanted. In blank wonder, he innocently stared at me, and said, ‘But what do you want?’
I replied, ‘The wood will tell her.’ He looked rather angry, thinking that I befooled him, and retorted, ‘Who ever heard of wood speaking?’
By hard pleading I succeeded in persuading him to go. He was amazed to see her looking at the wood and then fetching the needed articles. He brought back the bit of wood, and eagerly made signs for an explanation. Chiefly in broken Tannese I read to him the words, and informed him that in the same way God spoke to us through His Book. The will of God was written there, and by-and-bye, when he learned to read, he would hear God speaking to him from its page, as Mrs. Paton heard me from the bit of wood.
A great desire was thus awakened in the poor man’s soul to see the very Word of God printed in his own language. He helped me to learn words and master ideas with growing enthusiasm. And when my work of translating portions of Holy Scripture began, his delight was unbounded and his help invaluable. The miracle of a speaking page was not less wonderful than that of the speaking wood!”
John G. Paton was a Christian first, a missionary second. He lived among the people, he served the people, and he preached to the people. In his every day interactions, he pointed them to the God in whom he was dependent and the Christ in whom he was zealous for. After two readings of this biography, I can testify that you will not leave this volume without loving Christ more.
