AFTER twelve months' persevering work and labor, a stepping stone was raised, to meet in some feeble sense this long neglected race in New Hebrides. Some faint idea was given of the observance of the Lord's day in the institution of a morning public service, which was attended by about twenty persons. Even in this matter Paton was grateful, thanked God and took courage, for the day of small things was not by any means to be lightly esteemed. One of the greatest difficulties he had to contend with was the language; as in each Island, and sometimes in different parts of the same Island, a different language would be used; hence, this fact will give us some slight idea of one of the many difficulties with which the teacher of the New Hebrides had to contend.
The stillness and holy quietude of the Sabbath day was sometimes interrupted by the shrieks of women who were being offered as sacrifices; but neither Paton nor his co-workers durst help them, knowing that if they attempted to do so, they would themselves be probably murdered. In fact, just at this time, it was only owing to the friendliness of two of the leading chiefs, under the providence of God, that the lives of Paton and his company were not sacrificed, so bitter was the persecution raging against them. That some good was accomplished and that God was in some degree blessing the labors of His servants was evidenced by the fact that several of the men came secretly by night to know more about this new religion and its laws. Thus it was, says Paton, "that the waves of hope and fear swept alternately across our lives; but we embraced every possible opportunity of telling them the story of the life and death of Jesus, in strong hope that God would spare us yet to bring the benighted heathen to the knowledge of the true salvation, and to live and serve the only Savior.”
It was, however, terribly trying and uphill work. The beating of the women, the strangling of the widows, their terrible dishonesty, their cannibalistic propensities, were sins that were being daily committed in the most open and unblushing manner. The monotony of Paton's life was somewhat cheered by visits from Captain Vernon, the sainted Bishop Selwyn, and others, and although pressed by them to take a short cruise, as a much needed rest, yet such was Paton's real love for his work that he felt himself obliged to decline their kind invitation.
Realizing the importance of following the advice already given him "to sleep on higher ground," Paton made all necessary arrangements to shift his present quarters as speedily as possible. But ere his design could be carried into effect the fever smote him with unusual severity, and had it not been for the faithful and devoted service of his Aneityumese teacher, Abraham, and his wife there is no doubt the attack would have proved fatal. At last, after much labor and severe toil, aided by Abraham, the task was accomplished, the building erected. The interest that Paton took in his faithful friend Abraham had better be given in his own words. He says, “That man (Abraham) had been a cannibal in his heathen days, but by the grace of God there he stood verily a new creature in Christ Jesus. Any trust, however sacred or valuable, could be absolutely reposed in him; and in trial or danger I was often refreshed by that old teacher's prayers, as I used to be by the prayers of my saintly father in my childhood's home. When I have read or heard the shallow objections of irreligious scribblers and talkers, hinting that there was no reality in these conversions, and that Mission effort was but waste, oh, how my heart has yearned to plant them just one week on Tanna, with the natural' man all around in the person of cannibal and heathen, and only the one 'spiritual man' in the person of the converted Abraham, nursing them, feeding them, saving them, for the love of Jesus,' that I might just learn how many hours it took to convince them that Christ in man was a reality after all! All the skepticism of Europe would hide its head in foolish shame, and all its doubts would dissolve under one glance of the new light that Jesus, and Jesus alone, pours from the converted cannibal's eye.”
Notwithstanding wars and rumors of wars, the worshipping of the gods, the strangling of widows, and the other deeds of bloodshed and violence, the work of God prospered. More than once during his stay amongst them had Paton's life been in imminent danger, but the God whom he served had in a wonderfully miraculous manner preserved him from the hand of the assassins. After a trying and anxious time a house of prayer was erected; the wood used in its erection was bought for fifty pairs of trousers, these said trousers being the gift of that loved Bible class in far-off Glasgow. Another success achieved at this time was the printing of his first book in Tannese. It was indeed a difficult task, but British pluck and perseverance conquered all obstacles. Words cannot describe the joy of Paton's heart when he saw that first sheet of God's Word printed in the Tannese language. It is one of those scenes better imagined than described. Having now his church built and his printing press erected, Paton would doubtless at least feel himself on the borders of civilization. How the house of prayer and the press would be to him memorials of the loved Scotland, to leave which he had sacrificed so much and lost that which he had held so dear.
One of the greatest hindrances to his work was the scandalous conduct of those engaged in the sandal wood trade and the Kanaka traffic. We cannot here stay to point out all the terrible wrongs inflicted upon these benighted Islanders by these traders; suffice it to say, that it was a trade steeped in human blood and indescribable vice. Slavery in its worst form was practiced by these sandal wooders and Kanaka labor collectors. Not only did their inhuman conduct prevent these Islanders from receiving Christianity as taught by Paton, but it was eventually the cause of breaking up and almost ruining the Mission. It was such conduct as this that made the Islanders suspect all foreigners, and hate the white man, and seek revenge in robbery and murder.
Paton's work had grown, although slowly. He had now six stations opened in and around Tanna, and ministered to by native teachers. When we remember that these teachers had all once been cannibals themselves, there is great reason for praising God. Other villages were waiting for instructors in the Christian faith, so it might well be said, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore that He send forth more laborers into His harvest.”
In opening up and continuing the supplies of these stations the native teachers had to suffer much indignity, hardship and persecution. Paton says, "Nothing known to men under Heaven could have produced their new character and disposition except only the grace of God in Christ Jesus. Though still marred by many of the faults of heathenism, they were at the roots of their being really new creatures, trying, according to their best light, to live for and to please their new Master, Jesus Christ. This shone out very conspicuously in those two apostolic souls, Abraham and his wife, as leaders among all the devoted band.”
Ever and anon, here a little and there a little, were there signs that the seed sown had taken root, and was bringing forth fruit. Here it was two of their sacred men who had come to inquire respecting the Unknown God; again it was some young people who were wistful to forsake their heathen gods. At another time, a few had met together to worship the one and true God; and so it was, line upon line, precept upon precept came back again to the heart of Paton, cheering him on in his labor, and assuring him that his labor was not in vain in the Lord." So far had sonic of these men become Christianized, that before going forth to war these heathen warriors bowed the head, whilst Paton engaged with them in prayer. Eternity alone will reveal to how many hearts the words of that devoted missionary were made "the savor of life unto life.”
In September, 1860, the heart of Paton was greatly cheered and uplifted by the timely arrival of W. and Mrs. Johnson, missionaries from Nova Scotia. Of course they were warmly welcomed as fellow-laborers to the New Hebrides, by the resident missionary. In a very short time, assisted by Paton, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson picked up the language of the people, and became of great service in the mission work. Their cheerful company and untiring zeal in the cause of their common Master made them indeed a valuable acquisition. No man could have wished for better companions, or more able coadjutors in the ministry of their mission.
It was just at this time, owing to the cruel actions of the traders already referred to, that the measles were introduced into the Island. A most fearful and deadly plague it proved itself, inasmuch that the living were afraid to bury the dead. No less than 13 of the mission party fell victims to this dreadful prey. All fled in terror and dismay (leaving the missionaries to their own resources), with the exception of the true and loyal Abraham. He elected of his own free will, and out of the love of a full and grateful heart, to stay; and he remained with Paton a constant friend and faithful companion and sufferer until the mission life in Tanna closed.
Once again is Paton reminded of the transitory nature of all earthly objects. He had just begun to know enough of his fellow-laborer to love and honor him for his work's sake, when death again steps in, and "one is taken and the other left." On the first day of the year they had consecrated themselves anew to their Master and His service, little thinking that the service of one was to be so soon closed, and that even now the message was drawing very close, "It is enough, come up higher." Yet so it was. At two o'clock in the afternoon of 21st January, he (Mr. Johnson) fell asleep in Jesus, another martyr for the truth of the gospel; another gem to deck the Savior's crown. At sunset the same day another grave was dug by the side of that which contained all that had been so dear to Paton's heart; and there the widower and widowed stood side by side, and laid the friend and husband in his last resting-place. "He rests from his labors, and his works do follow him.”
Truly this was a testing and trying time for God's servant. Deaths, hurricanes, and tempests followed each other in quick succession; and this to the poor heathen mind was a. manifest token that the gods were angry, and that the Christians were the cause. Following upon the heels of this came the news of the martyrdom of the Gordons at Erromanga. We cannot forbear adding that never more self-sacrificing and faithful missionaries lived and died in a heathen field than they. All these disastrous events furnished the heathens on Tanna with the argument that the worship of the Christians was the cause of all their misfortune, the consequence being that the lives of Paton and his faithful follower Abraham were in the greatest jeopardy. Some idea of the position in which Paton was placed may be found from the following extract, taken from a letter written by the late A. Clark, Esq., J.P. He says:—
“In addition, Bishop Selwyn told us that he had seen the Commodore (Seymour) who told him that at Tanna the natives were in a very insulting and hostile state of mind, so much so that he felt it his duty to offer Mr. Paton a passage in his ship to Auckland, or some other place of safety." He adds:" Talk of bravery I talk of heroism! The man who leads a forlorn hope is a coward in comparison with him who, on Tanna thus alone, without a sustaining look or cheering word from one of his own race, regards it as a duty to hold on in the face of such dangers. He chose to remain, and God knows whether at this moment he is in the land of the living. When the Bishop told us that he declined leaving Tanna, he (the Bishop) added, And I like him all the better for so doing.”
Much as we should like to do so, our space forbids us giving, in detail, the further persecutions Paton endured for Christ and the gospel's sake on Tanna. After the death of Mr. and Mrs. Mathieson, which occurred in 1862, Paton “was the only one left alive to tell the story of those pioneer years, during which were sown the seeds of what is now fast becoming a glorious harvest.
It was a great trial for Paton to leave the scene of his much-loved labors; but no other course was open to him, and although the action he took in leaving Tanna was in many cases criticized in an unfair and unchristlike spirit, yet he possessed the witness within of a "conscience void of offense, both toward God and toward his fellow-men." For four years he had labored amidst the greatest danger, suffering, and peril, forgetful and too often neglectful of self-interest, if, by any means, "he might win some." And, we doubt not, that many shall rise from their graves, in that once heathen island in the last great day, and shall be his "joy and crown of rejoicing.”
During this year of 1862, Paton went through the length and breath of Australia to collect money for providing a mission ship, to be called the Dayspring. Above and beyond his most sanguine expectations did God bless his labours. Having obtained the ship, he next visits Scotland to obtain more missionaries; with what success, we hope to show in the following chapter.