John G. Paton

One thing that so encourages me is to read about the lives of some of the martyrs of the Christian Faith, people who gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel.

Today I read this verse about the first Christian Martyr, Stephen:

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”                                            Acts 7:55-56 (ESV)

This reminded me of another amazing man who, in his darkest moment like Stephen, was able to find most joy in knowing the risen Jesus. His name is John Paton. He was a Pastor in Scotland and had a growing Church, but felt God calling him to go and take the Gospel to the New Hebrides, who were cannibals! Although Paton himself was not martyred I dont think, he has an incredible story.

An elderly man in his Church tried to convince him not to go, as many did. This is what was said:

“The Cannibals! You will be eaten by Cannibals!” to which Paton simply replied, “Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is so 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.”

What a response and vision for the Gospel and what hope in the resurrection! But, surprisingly, it wasnt this quote that got me although it is great! The following is just so encouraging and challenging:

In 1862, the whole island was convulsed by tribal warfare. In their frenzy the natives threatened to destroy both the mission station and the missionary. Nowar, a friendly chief, urged Dr. Paton to fly into the bush and hide in a large chestnut tree there. ‘Climb up into it,’ he said, ‘and remain till the moon rises.’ He did so, and, concealed in that leafy shelter, saw the blacks beating the bushes around in their eager search for himself.

‘The hours that I spent in that chestnut tree,’ writes Dr. Paton, ‘still live before me. I heard the frequent discharge of muskets and the hideous yells of the savages. Yet never, in all my sorrows, did my Lord draw nearer to me. I was alone yet not alone. I would cheerfully spend many nights alone in such a tree to feel again my Saviour’s spiritual presence as I felt it that night.’

What an incredible thing to be able to say! That he would gladly have his life hunted if it meant that he felt the presence of God quite that close again! This is so encouraging I think that the Lord draws close in the darkest times, and that feeling His presence is the greatest thing imaginable!