January 28, 1907--100 years ago today; John G. Paton went to Glory. Paton is one of the finest missionaries this world has ever known. He went to the New Hebrides to serve his Savior. As far as we know, these islands had gone for 18 centuries without any gospel witness. Paton went to this island with the knowledge that just years before, missionaries John Williams and James Harris were killed & eaten by the natives within minutes of landing on the very same island. He served his Lord faithfully, today 85% of Aniwa call themselves believers in Christ.
I encourage all to read John Paton's autobiography (published by Banner of Truth). It is an excellent read--truly a thriller. I have read it twice, and been greatly blessed by it. God will transform your view of world missions while you read this fine work. Paton was just as strong in his Calvinistic Theology as he was overwhelmingly aggressive in his evangelistic zeal--the one fueled the other!
I also encourage you to click
here to hear an excellent presentation on the life of Paton given by John Piper. It is a long message, but so rewarding. It will cause you to examine your own heart. In the message Piper answers 3 questions:
- What kinds of circumstances in Paton's life called for courage?
- What did this courage achieve?
- Where did his courage come from?
Paton was indeed courageous. An elder of his Scotland church, trying to disuade him, told Paton, "You will be eaten by cannibals." Paton responded, "Mr. _______ you are in advanced years now and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave and there to be eaten by worms! I confess to you that if I can but live & die serving & honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by canibals or by worms & in the great day my resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer!"
May God give us all hearts that are so eternally focused!
