Sometime back, TE Rogers mentioned in this very publication that he had read the fi rst chapter of an autobiography, John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides, and that it was quite possibly the greatest chapter of any book he had ever read. (I dont recall if he expressly exempted the Scriptures from that statement, but Im confi dent of his meaning.) Around the same time, at least one Elder at our Denominations summer Family Confer-ence made reference to this same book in similarly glowing terms. So as Christmas time rolled around or more pointedly, christmaspresentbuying time a year ago, I decided that I would trust my Elders and buy a copy of John Patons book for a friend and I to read to-gether. Shortly thereafter, the ladies of our mission work became interested in and adopted the autobiography as a part of their regular book study. Now, half our congregation can personally affi rm, to one and all, that the Elders of the RPCUS were not exaggerating when they sang the praises of this book.

John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides, is one of the greatest books you will ever fi nd, and I unabashedly demand for it a place on your book shelf wedged in there between your copies of Pilgrims Progress and Through Gates of Splendor.

What makes this book a marvel is not its prose (and certainly not the design of its cover), but the sincere and godly char-acter of its author that is most effectively conveyed to you in its pages. The Protagonist of this story is surely God Himself. The movings and machinations of the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth are so humbly and submissively portrayed, with such a spirit of awe, wonder, reverence, and praise, that I fear for you, Brothers and Sisters, if you do not fi nd yourselves shedding tears of sorrow for the suffering of Gods saints and the hopelessness of the lost, and tears of joy for the Faithful-ness of God to His saints and the victory of the Gospel amongst every tribe and tongue of men. A zeal for the Lord fi lled John Paton, and that fi re practically singes your fi ngers as you turn the pages.

Who was John Paton, and why did he write this book? John Paton was a Covenant Child, born to a Saint who was such a Mighty Man of God in Prayer, that by the end of the fi rst chapter, one almost expects huge mountains to go hopping around because this poor Scottish man pleaded with His God for it to be so. And John Paton wrote this book because God is faith-ful to His people, and answered the prayers of Patons Father to begin with, and Patons own prayers throughout his long ministry. This book exists, because we serve a prayer hearing, and prayer answering God.

John Paton was born in 1824, near Dumfries, Scotland. He was called by God to minister within the Free Church of Scotland, which stationed him in the rougher parts of Glasgow. After a period of struggle there, God poured out His Spirit, and Paton saw many converts, and true reformation took place under his ministry. Then, as things began to get easy, God called him to become a missionary to cannibals in the New Hebrides, thousands of miles away. Things got harder at that point Read the book if you want to discover how God used him.

You will be struck, as you read Patons book, by his Pastoral Spirit. This story is not told with an eye especially for dra-matic fl are (though there are plenty of spectacular experiences in the book that are well presented), but rather, Paton writes to instruct his readers about the character of God, and to call them to an obedient walk with Him. Patons heart was to see the lost saved, and the saved sanctifi ed.

Brothers and Sisters, please, read this book. If you have younger children or siblings who would have diffi culty reading it themselves, read it to them. If there are elderly among you whose sight is failing, offer to read it aloud for them. By Gods grace, you will surly be blessed with a deeper knowledge and love of the Savior, as you read the words of His servant, John G. Paton.

Christopher Marks is a member of Westminster Presbyterian Mission in Corpus Christi, TX, and a candidate for the ministry, under care of Covenant Presbytery RPCUS

the COUNSEL of CHALCEDON28

Book ReviewJohn G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides

ByChristopher Marks