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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... who had sent us these fresh provisions that we might love Him better and serve Him more. The children's sharp eyes had read correctly. It was not the Dayspring. Our brave little ship had gone to wreck on 6th January, 1873; and this vessel waj the Paragon, chartered to bring down our supplies. Alas the wreck had gone by auction sale to a French slaving company, who cut a passage through the coral reef, and had the vessel again floating in the Bay, --elated at the prospect of employing our Mission Ship in the blood-stained Kanaka-txzfac ( = a mere euphemism for South Sea slavery) Our souls sank in horror and concern. Many Natives would unwittingly trust themselves to the Dayspring; and revenge would be taken on us, as was done on noble Bishop Patteson, when the deception was found out What could be done? Nothing but cry to God, which all the friends of our Mission did day and night, not without tears, as we thought of the possible degradation of our noble little Ship. Listen The French Slavers, anchoring their prize in the Bay, and greatly rejoicing, went ashore to celebrate the event They drank and feasted and revelled. But that night a mighty storm arose, the old Dayspring dragged her anchor, and at daybreak she was seen again on the reef, but this time with her back broken in two and for ever unfit for service, either fair or foul. Oh, white-winged Virgin of the waves, better for thee, as for thy human sisters, to die and pass away than to suffer pollution and live on in disgrace Dr. Steel had chartered the Paragon, a new threemasted schooner, built at Balmain, Sydney, to come down with our provisions, letters, etc.; and the owners had given a written agreement that if we could purchase her within a year we would get her for 3, cxxx.… (mais)
This is the original three part auto-biography of John Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides (cannibals.) Paton describes his early life growing up in a relatively poor Christian family with many brothers and sisters. His father's devotional life had a huge impact on him. I was immediately impressed with Paton's dedication to his missionary calling which he received at a relatively young age. He was offered a stable position with a long term contract but turned it down on the basis that a few years down the line he needed to be free to go overseas. His greatest desire was to be used by God and he surrendered himself completely.
Paton's heart was drawn to the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) and this remained his ministry focus throughout his lifetime despite, having finally arrived there, losing his wife and child within three months. He began on the extremely hostile island of Tanna.
On landing we found the people to be literally naked and painted savages...At first they came in crowds to look at us, and at everything we did or had. We knew nothing of their language; we could not speak a single word to them, nor they to us.
The striking thing about his story is that he is in danger of death day in and day out due to the culture of the natives on the islands. Even when it seemed he may have won the favour of one or another person the tide could quickly change or they may just have been looking for an opportunity to kill and eat him.
A killing stone thrown by one of the savages grazed poor old Abraham's cheek...a club was also raised to follow the blow of the killing stone, but God baffled the aim. They encircled us in a deadly ring, and one kept urging another to strike the first blow or fire the first shot. My heart rose up to the Lord Jesus...I realised that I was immortal till my Master's work with me was done.
The role of the white traders was fascinating but heartbreaking as it devastated the work of the missionaries and in many ways was deliberate.
Paton faced a constant battle to maintain his support at home due to rumours and misunderstandings about his ministry. He had to leave the field at times to quell various unfair reports about him and the divisions between different denominations in the various supporting countries were a sad indictment. Still he tried to just get on with the job returning to the Island of Aniwa when forced to leave Tanna. I find it incredible that he was criticised by some for leaving Tanna and I can see why this would've been a huge discouragement to him in the circumstances as he had remained there until the last possible second. Deciding that God didn't want him to be reckless with his life he reluctantly left only to be criticised by those "sitting in cozy armchairs."
Aniwa was more successful in ministry terms and it wasn't long before they saw conversions
The old chief led them in prayer- a strange, dark, groping prayer, with streaks of Heathenism colouring every thought and sentence; but still a heart-breaking prayer, as the cry of a soul once Cannibal, but now being thrilled through and through with the first conscious pulsations of the Christ-Spirit throbbing into the words-'Father, Father; our Father.'
I thought the first two thirds of the biography were excellent. They read like fiction apart from belief in the power of God and could easily form the basis for a movie. The telling of the experiences on both Tanna and Aniwa are very readable. I think maybe the author should've stopped there. He documents his various trips home for fundraising activities and although at first that was also interesting I became a little tired of reading about various donations, the amounts and the donors and the squabbling in the churches, that basically fills the third part of his biography which is a shame.
That said I would still highly recommend this book as I believe it is unique in terms of the daily dangers faced with an honest depiction of personal struggles including bouts of depression, and gives a true insight into the experiences of pioneer missionaries in primitive areas.
Informação do Conhecimento Comum em inglês.Edite para a localizar na sua língua.
[Editor's Preface] The autobiography of my brother, Dr. John G. Paton has now, at my urgen entreaty, been continued by him, and carried on to the present year, 1897,
[Introductoy Note] What I write here is for the glory of God.
I was born in a cottage on the farm of Braehead, in the parish of Kirkmahoe, near Dumfries, in the south of Scotland, on the 24th May, 1824.
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Informação do Conhecimento Comum em inglês.Edite para a localizar na sua língua.
[Editor's Preface] So shall the supreme aim be relized, which moved my brother in consenting to draw up these biographica notes for me, and which inspired me in preparing them for the public eye. -- James Paton
[Introductory Note] If it bows any of my readers under as deep and certain a confidence as mine, that in "God's hand our breath is, and His are all our ways," my task will not be fruitless in the Great Day
And should the record of my poor and broken life lead any one to consecrate himself to Mission work at Home or Abroad that he may win souls for Jesus, or should it even deepen the Missionary spirit in those who already know and serve the Redeemer of us all--for this also, and for all through which He has led endless ages of Eternity, bless and adore my beloved Master and Saviour and Lord, to whom be glory for ever and ever.
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... who had sent us these fresh provisions that we might love Him better and serve Him more. The children's sharp eyes had read correctly. It was not the Dayspring. Our brave little ship had gone to wreck on 6th January, 1873; and this vessel waj the Paragon, chartered to bring down our supplies. Alas the wreck had gone by auction sale to a French slaving company, who cut a passage through the coral reef, and had the vessel again floating in the Bay, --elated at the prospect of employing our Mission Ship in the blood-stained Kanaka-txzfac ( = a mere euphemism for South Sea slavery) Our souls sank in horror and concern. Many Natives would unwittingly trust themselves to the Dayspring; and revenge would be taken on us, as was done on noble Bishop Patteson, when the deception was found out What could be done? Nothing but cry to God, which all the friends of our Mission did day and night, not without tears, as we thought of the possible degradation of our noble little Ship. Listen The French Slavers, anchoring their prize in the Bay, and greatly rejoicing, went ashore to celebrate the event They drank and feasted and revelled. But that night a mighty storm arose, the old Dayspring dragged her anchor, and at daybreak she was seen again on the reef, but this time with her back broken in two and for ever unfit for service, either fair or foul. Oh, white-winged Virgin of the waves, better for thee, as for thy human sisters, to die and pass away than to suffer pollution and live on in disgrace Dr. Steel had chartered the Paragon, a new threemasted schooner, built at Balmain, Sydney, to come down with our provisions, letters, etc.; and the owners had given a written agreement that if we could purchase her within a year we would get her for 3, cxxx.
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This is the original three part auto-biography of John Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides (cannibals.) Paton describes his early life growing up in a relatively poor Christian family with many brothers and sisters. His father's devotional life had a huge impact on him. I was immediately impressed with Paton's dedication to his missionary calling which he received at a relatively young age. He was offered a stable position with a long term contract but turned it down on the basis that a few years down the line he needed to be free to go overseas. His greatest desire was to be used by God and he surrendered himself completely.
Paton's heart was drawn to the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) and this remained his ministry focus throughout his lifetime despite, having finally arrived there, losing his wife and child within three months. He began on the extremely hostile island of Tanna.
On landing we found the people to be literally naked and painted savages...At first they came in crowds to look at us, and at everything we did or had. We knew nothing of their language; we could not speak a single word to them, nor they to us.
The striking thing about his story is that he is in danger of death day in and day out due to the culture of the natives on the islands. Even when it seemed he may have won the favour of one or another person the tide could quickly change or they may just have been looking for an opportunity to kill and eat him.
A killing stone thrown by one of the savages grazed poor old Abraham's cheek...a club was also raised to follow the blow of the killing stone, but God baffled the aim. They encircled us in a deadly ring, and one kept urging another to strike the first blow or fire the first shot. My heart rose up to the Lord Jesus...I realised that I was immortal till my Master's work with me was done.
The role of the white traders was fascinating but heartbreaking as it devastated the work of the missionaries and in many ways was deliberate.
Paton faced a constant battle to maintain his support at home due to rumours and misunderstandings about his ministry. He had to leave the field at times to quell various unfair reports about him and the divisions between different denominations in the various supporting countries were a sad indictment. Still he tried to just get on with the job returning to the Island of Aniwa when forced to leave Tanna. I find it incredible that he was criticised by some for leaving Tanna and I can see why this would've been a huge discouragement to him in the circumstances as he had remained there until the last possible second. Deciding that God didn't want him to be reckless with his life he reluctantly left only to be criticised by those "sitting in cozy armchairs."
Aniwa was more successful in ministry terms and it wasn't long before they saw conversions
The old chief led them in prayer- a strange, dark, groping prayer, with streaks of Heathenism colouring every thought and sentence; but still a heart-breaking prayer, as the cry of a soul once Cannibal, but now being thrilled through and through with the first conscious pulsations of the Christ-Spirit throbbing into the words-'Father, Father; our Father.'
I thought the first two thirds of the biography were excellent. They read like fiction apart from belief in the power of God and could easily form the basis for a movie. The telling of the experiences on both Tanna and Aniwa are very readable. I think maybe the author should've stopped there. He documents his various trips home for fundraising activities and although at first that was also interesting I became a little tired of reading about various donations, the amounts and the donors and the squabbling in the churches, that basically fills the third part of his biography which is a shame.
That said I would still highly recommend this book as I believe it is unique in terms of the daily dangers faced with an honest depiction of personal struggles including bouts of depression, and gives a true insight into the experiences of pioneer missionaries in primitive areas.
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