John G Paton (24 May 1824 - 28 January 1907). Born in Scotland, Paton was a missionary to the New Hebrides Islands of the South Pacific. In spite of tragically losing his wife and son after less than a year on the Islands, John Paton labored tirelessly among the cannibalistic natives, his own life constantly under threat. He learned the Aniwa language, translating the New Testament for them, and after many years of patient ministry, saw the entire Island of Aniwa profess Christianity. Due to his efforts, he saw missionaries established on twenty five of the thirty Islands, with churches, orphanages and schools built. His work inspired hundreds of missionaries to also take up the Great Commission.
Working among Cannibals
When it became known that I was preparing to go abroad as a missionary, nearly all were dead against the proposal...that I was leaving certainty for uncertainty, work in which God had made me greatly useful, for work in which I might fail to be useful, and only throw away my life amongst Cannibals. I replied, that my mind was finally resolved; that, though I loved my work and my people, yet I felt that I could leave them to the care of Jesus, who would soon provide them a better pastor than I; and that, with regard to my life amongst the Cannibals, as I had only once to die, I was content to leave the time and place and means in the hand of God, who had already marvelously preserved me when visiting cholera patients and the fever-stricken poor; on that score I had positively no further concern, having left it all absolutely to the Lord, whom I sought to serve and honor, whether in life or by death....
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 honoring 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."
John G Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides. An Autobiography. P89-91
