On the 16th of April 1858 John G. Paton set sail from Scotland as a missionary to the New Hebrides (known today as Vanuatu), a group of islands in the south seas. In November he arrived on the Island of Tanna. At the time these islands were filled with Cannibals, and Paton was well aware of the cost. Nineteen years previously both John Williams and James Harris were clubbed to death, cooked and eaten on the Island of Erromanga only minutes after arriving on the shore. Sixteen years previously a team of missonaries from London had been driven off Tanna.
Anyone who has read Paton's autobiography will know one of the things that stands out as he writes is his boldness. He was not afraid of risking his life for the sake of other people hearing the gospel. He was prepared to give up his life to bring life to the Cannibals of the South Sea islands.
However, the foundation for such boldness was not in himself. It came from the gospel. He knew the utter security he had in Christ. He knew that Jesus was utterly sovereign and able to preserve him in the midst of any danger or bring him safely to glory, as He saw fit. This gave Paton this remarkable courage to risk everything and to suffer terribly for the sake of seeing Jesus' name honoured and cannibal knees bowing to Him.A great example of this gospel-founded courage comes shortly before he leaves for the New Hebrides. He has just announced that he is going to leave a thriving urban ministy in Glasgow to go and minister to the South Sea cannibals. Many try to deter him from going. He is given many well-paid offers if he will stay. Paton tells about how one man in particular tried to persuade him to stay, he says:
Where are such men today? Where are those who - because they believe the gospel so deeply, who know and trust the Lord Jesus so intimately and who are zealous for God's glory among the nations - sacrifice all for the sake of seeing Christ glorified by proclaiming Him to a people who don't yet know Him. Where are those who are concerned less about their comfort and more about Christ being honoured? Where are those who care, not for their reputaion, but for Christ's?
Amongst many who sought to deter me, was one dear old Christian gentleman, whose crowning argument always was, "The Cannibals! you will be eaten by Cannibals!"
At last I replied, "Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honouring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer."
The old gentleman, raising his hands in a depreciating attitude, left the room exclaiming, "After that I have nothing more to say!"
It is only when we hold fast to the glorious truths of the gospel, as they are revealed in Scripture, and let them transform us more and more that we will grow in increasing zeal for the glory of Christ and boldness for the sake of the gospel.
This extract is taken from Paton's autobiorgaphy: 'John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides (Vanuatu)', which is published by Banner of Truth.
