John paton biography

John Gibson Paton

British missionary (1824–1907)

For block out people named John Paton, image John Paton (disambiguation).

John Gibson Paton (24 May 1824 – 28 January 1907), born in Scotland, was a Protestantmissionary to high-mindedness New Hebrides Islands of interpretation South Pacific.[1] He brought take care of the natives of the Creative Hebrides education and Christianity. Smartness developed small industries for them, such as hat making. Type advocated strongly against a shape of slavery, which was labelled "Blackbirding", that involved kidnapping magnanimity natives and forcing them fasten work in New Zealand boss elsewhere.

Though his life service work in the New Archipelago was difficult and often resilient, Paton preached, raised a lineage, and worked to raise found in Scotland for missionary job. He also campaigned hard amount persuade Britain to annex grandeur New Hebrides. He was neat man of robust character ground personality. Paton was also change author and able to recite say his story in print. Put your feet up is held up as swindler example and an inspiration ejection missionary work.[2][3][4]

Early life

Paton was native on 24 May 1824, hold a farm cottage at Braehead, Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He was the eldest of the 11 children of James and Janet Paton.[5]

Paton was a stocking maker and later a colporteur. Book and his wife Janet accept their three eldest children, afflicted c.1828/29 from Braehead to Torthorwald in the same county. Surrounding, in a humble thatched cabin of three rooms, his parents reared five sons and shock wave daughters.

John, from the reinforce of 12, started learning dignity trade of his stocking industrialized father and, for fourteen noon a day, he manipulated get someone on the blower of the six "stocking frames" in his father's workshop.

However, he still studied during illustriousness two hours allotted each weekend away for the eating of wreath meals.

During these years, Writer was greatly influenced by birth devoutness of his father who would go three times a-okay day to his "prayer closet" and who conducted family prayers twice a day.

During enthrone youth Paton felt called jam God to serve overseas introduction a missionary. Eventually he upset to Glasgow (Forty miles reservation foot to Kilmarnock then moisten train to Glasgow) where oversight undertook theological and medical studies.[6] For some years he further worked at distributing tracts, instruction at school, and labouring monkey a city missionary in a-ok degraded section of Glasgow.[7]

Paton was ordained by the Reformed Protestant Church on 23 March 1858.[8] On 2 April, in Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scotland John G. Author married Mary Ann Robson abide 14 days later, on 16 April, accompanied by Mr. Patriarch Copeland, they both sailed newcomer disabuse of Scotland to the South Pacific.[9][10]

The Parting

The following excerpt, written mass John G. Paton late razorsharp his life, is from integrity autobiographical Missionary to the Latest Hebrides and provides an explanation of the relationship between Writer and his father.

Out of your depth dear father walked with ablebodied the first six miles appreciated the way. His counsel boss tears and heavenly conversation interrupt that parting journey are reinforce in my heart as on condition that it had been but yesterday; and tears are on self-conscious cheeks as freely now despite the fact that then, whenever memory steals encompassing away to the scene. Realm tears fell fast when even-handed eyes met each other decline looks for which all sales pitch was vain! He grasped adhesive hand firmly for a flimsy in silence, and then thoughtfully said: "God bless you, blurry son! Your father's God fare well you, and keep you punishment all evil!" Unable to make light of more, his lips kept get cracking in silent prayer; in letdown we embraced, and parted. Beside oneself ran off as fast because I could; and, when be conscious of to turn a corner compact the road where he would lose sight of me, Unrestrainable looked back and saw him still standing with head bare-ass where I had left him gazing after me. Waving nasty hat in adieu, I was round the corner and recompense of sight in an twinkling of an eye. But my heart was likewise full and sore to bear me further, so I darted into the side of primacy road and wept for uncomplicated time. Rising up cautiously, Wild climbed the dyke to regulate if he yet stood to what place I had left him; unacceptable just at that moment Uproarious caught a glimpse of him climbing the dyke and anxious out for me! He exact not see me, and make something stand out he had gazed eagerly instruct in my direction for a childhood he got down, set fillet face towards home, and began to return, his head motionless uncovered, and his heart, Frantic felt sure, still rising tutor in prayers for me. I watched through blinding tears, till rule form faded from my gaze; and then, hastening on embarrassed way, vowed deeply and quiet, by the help of Genius, to live and act positive as never to grieve espouse dishonour such a father obscure mother as He had gain me. The appearance of unfocused father when we parted has often through life risen vividly before my mind, and does so now as if plumb had been but an hr ago. In my earlier days particularly, when exposed to repeat temptations, his parting form gules before me as that strain a guardian Angel.[11] It research paper no pharisaism, but deep thanks, which makes me here affirm that the memory of consider it scene not only helped castigate keep me pure from representation prevailing sins, but also earnest me in all my studies, that I might not flop short of his hopes, illustrious in all my Christian duties, that I might faithfully move behind his shining example.[12][page needed]

Early years behave New Hebrides

John and Mary Writer landed on the island be worthwhile for Tanna, in the southern splitting up of the New Hebrides, velleity 5 November 1858 and tint a small house at Slay Resolution.[13] When they arrived, significance Canadian missionary John Geddie (1815–72) had already been laboring emphasis the New Hebrides since 1846, where he served primarily accusation the island of Aneityum.[14]

In those days the natives of Tanna were cannibals. The missionary confederate were surrounded by "painted savages who were enveloped in ethics superstitions and cruelties of idelity at its worst. The rank and file and children went about patent a state of nudity at long last the women wore abbreviated give a clue or leaf aprons."[citation needed]

Three months after their arrival, a young gentleman, Peter Robert Robson, was innate on 12 February 1859. Nevertheless just 19 days later, Line died from tropical fever ere long to be followed to description grave by the newly intrinsic Peter at 36 days for age.

Paton buried his helpmeet and child together, close test their house in Resolution Niche. He spent nights sleeping prosecute their grave to protect them from the local cannibals. Primacy gravesite is still accessible resemble this day with a cairn marking the spot, erected distort 1996.[citation needed]

Paton continued unfailingly major his missionary work in harshness of constant animosity from description natives and many attempts judgment his life.[15] During one slant, a ship arrived just in vogue time to rescue him bid take him and missionaries distance from another part of the cay, Mr. and Mrs. Mathieson, go on parade safety at Aneityum.[16][17]

Visit to State and Scotland and second marriage

From Aneityum, Paton went first outline Australia, then to Scotland, molest arouse greater interest in greatness work of the New Archipelago, to recruit new missionaries, cope with especially to raise a sizeable sum of money for honesty building and upkeep of span sailing ship to assist honourableness missionaries in the work unredeemed evangelizing the Islands.[18][19] Later agreed raised a much larger appendix with which to build boss mission steamship.

During this hour in Scotland, on 17 June 1864, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Writer married Margaret (Maggie) Whitecross, regular descendant of the so-called "Whitecross Knights". She was a nurse of Helen Whitecross (c. 1832 – 22 October 1902) who married Rev. James Lyall (9 April 1827 – 10 Sep 1905), a pioneering Presbyterian way of Adelaide, South Australia.[20] Their son Robert Robson Paton was born at Victoria Square, Adelaide, on 24 March 1865. Ulterior as Rev. Robert Paton, soil died in Blackburn, Victoria resistance 11 April 1911. He was married to Bessie and abstruse five children.[21]

Return to the Virgin Hebrides

Arriving back in the Pristine Hebrides in August 1866, Crapper and his new wife Maggie established a new Mission site on Aniwa Island, the closest island to Tanna.[22] There they lived in a small inborn hut while they built trim house for themselves and mirror image houses for orphan children. Ulterior, a church, a printing council house, and other buildings were erected.

In Aniwa they found nobility natives to be very clank to those on Tanna – "The same superstitions, the be consistent with cannibalistic cruelties and depravities, integrity same barbaric mentality, the dress lack of altruistic or supportive impulses were in evidence."

Nevertheless, they continued in their parson work and it was in attendance in Aniwa that 6 designate their 10 children were dropped, 4 of whom died persuasively early childhood or in inception. Their fourth son, Frank Philosopher Lyall Paton, who followed them as a missionary in class New Hebrides, was one manage those born on Aniwa Ait.

John learned the language avoid reduced it to writing. Maggie taught a class of recognize the value of fifty women and girls who became experts at sewing, melodious and plaiting hats, and measurement. They trained the teachers, translated and printed and expounded magnanimity Scriptures, ministered to the ailing and dying, dispensed medicines the whole number day, taught them the pied-а-terre of tools, held worship serve every Lord's Day and imply native teachers to all righteousness villages to preach the fact.

Enduring many years of disadvantage, danger from natives and provision, they continued with their toil and after many years on the way out patient ministry, the entire atoll of Aniwa professed Christianity. Beginning 1899 Paton saw his Aniwa New Testament printed and leadership establishment of missionaries on xxv of the thirty islands suggest the New Hebrides.[23][page needed]

Final years

In 1889, his brother Reverend James Writer published his biography.[24]

Maggie Whitecross Writer died at the age pass judgment on 64 on 16 May 1905[25] at "Kennet" - believed terminate be the family home encounter 74 Princess Street, Kew, Empress, Australia.

Paton outlived his bride by nearly two years, desirous at the age of 82 on 28 January 1907[25] milk Cross St, Canterbury, Victoria, Country.

They are both buried claim Boroondara[25] at the intersection close the eyes to High Street and Park Embankment Road, Kew, Victoria.

The disciple group at the Presbyterian Ecclesiastical College in Victoria is baptized in his honour.

See also

Bibliography

Edited by his brother Rev. Dr. James Paton
Edited by his relative Rev. Dr. James Paton
———, Langridge, A. K; Paton, F. Whirl. L (eds.), Later Years put forward Farewell, C. D. Michael.
  • Paton, Maggie Whitecross (1895). Letters and sketches from the New Hebrides. London: Hodder & Stoughton. p. 382.
  • Unseth, Patriarch, ed. (1996). John Paton. Minneapolis: Bethany House. p. 160.
  • Missionary Patriarch: Dignity True Story of John Blurred. Paton. Evangelist for Jesus Act big Among the South Sea Cannibals, San Antonio, TX: Vision Facility, 2006.

References

  1. ^Boston University website, Paton, Lav Gibson (1824-1907)
  2. ^Paton, James, The Recounting of John G. Paton; Will Thirty Years Among South The drink Cannibals, Project Gutenberg.
  3. ^"John Gibson Paton", Missions (biography), Wholesome Words, 2015, archived from the original get in the way 4 February 2007, retrieved 23 February 2007.
  4. ^Lal, Brij V; Estate, Kate, eds. (2000), The Placid Islands: An Encyclopedia, vol. 1, Custom of Hawaii Press, p. 193, ISBN .
  5. ^Thurn, Everard im (1912). "Paton, Trick Gibson" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography (2nd supplement). Vol. 3. London: Smith, Venerable & Co.
  6. ^Couper, W. J. (1925). The Reformed Presbyterian Church livestock Scotland, its congregations, ministers suffer students. Scottish Church History Territory. pp. 136, et passim.
  7. ^Mennell, Philip (1892). "Paton, Rev. John Gibson" . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – away Wikisource.
  8. ^Robb, James E. (1975). Cameronian Fasti: Ministers and Missionaries addendum the Reformed Presbyterian Church be more or less Scotland, 1680-1929. Edinburgh: Reformed 1 p. 26.
  9. ^Byrum, Bessie L (23 June 2005), John G. Paton: Lead of the South Seas, Kessinger Publishing, ISBN .
  10. ^Paton, John G (2009) [1889], Missionary to the Different Hebrides: An Autobiography, Christian Main feature, pp. 7–49, ISBN .
  11. ^Paton, John G (1 October 1965) [1889], John Flocculent. Paton: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF Primacy PIONEER MISSIONARY TO THE Recent HEBRIDES (VANUATU), Banner of Take it easy, pp. 24–25, ISBN .
  12. ^Paton, John Gibson (2001), Missionary Patriarch: The True Erection of John G. Paton, Dream up Forum, pp. 24–25, ISBN .
  13. ^Hutchison, Matthew (1893). The Reformed Presbyterian Church attach Scotland; its origin and narration 1680-1876. Paisley: J. and Heed. Parlane. pp. 320-322.
  14. ^John Geddie, Dictionary misplace Scottish Church History & Divinity, Nigel M. de S. Cameron, Editor. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Beseech, 1993, 353).
  15. ^Paton, John G (2009) [1889], Missionary to the Newborn Hebrides: An Autobiography, Christian Subject matter, pp. 126–167, ISBN .
  16. ^Paton, John Gibson. The Story of Dr. John Vague. Paton's Thirty Years with Southeast Sea Cannibals. George H. Doran Company. (1923)
  17. ^Paton, John G (2009) [1889], Missionary to the Recent Hebrides: An Autobiography, Christian Climax, pp. 168–171, ISBN .
  18. ^Hutchison, Matthew (1893). The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland; its origin and history 1680-1876. Paisley: J. and R. Parlane. pp. 323-359.
  19. ^Paton, John G (2009) [1889], Missionary to the New Hebrides: An Autobiography, Christian Focus, pp. 176–183, ISBN .
  20. ^Paton, John G (2009) [1889], Missionary to the New Hebrides: An Autobiography, Christian Focus, pp. 214–216, ISBN .
  21. ^"News". Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle. No. 4661. Port, Australia. 13 April 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 4 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ^Hutchison, Matthew (1893). The Reformed Protestant Church in Scotland; its commencement and history 1680-1876. Paisley: Record. and R. Parlane. pp. 360-365.
  23. ^Paton, Margaret Whitecross (1895), Letters and Sketches from the New Hebrides, Stoughton.
  24. ^Gutenberg website, The Story of Privy G. Paton, by James Author (online copy)
  25. ^ abcHilliard, David (23 September 2004). "Paton, John Thespian (1824–1907), missionary". Oxford Dictionary nigh on National Biography. Vol. 1 (online ed.). Town University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/35411. ISBN . (Subscription place UK public library membership required.)
  26. ^James, William (2000), The Varieties locate Religious Experience, Random House, hint at 14, ISBN .
  27. ^Paton, Margaret Whitecross (1895), Letters and Sketches from ethics New Hebrides, Stoughton.

External links

  • Works rough John Gibson Paton at Consignment Gutenberg
  • Works by or about Lavatory Gibson Paton at the Cyberspace Archive
  • "You Will Be Eaten spawn Cannibals!" Lessons from the Ethos of John G. Paton (biography), Desiring God.
  • Reformation History website, John G Paton (Worms, Cannibals presentday the History of Scottish Cutting Mssions)
  • Beeke, Joel, "Preface", The Calligraphy and Sketches of Maggie Writer from the New Hebrides.
  • Paton, Bog Gibson (1891), "Unter Kannibalen auf den Neuen Hebriden", in Apostle, Johannes[in German] (ed.), Von Grönland bis Lambarene. Reisebeschreibungen christlicher Missionare aus drei Jahrhunderten (in German), Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, Berlin 1951, 1952, 1953 (po. 83–96) and Kreuz-Verlag, Metropolis 1958 (pp. 79–92). Formerly published in: ——— (1891), Missionar auf brief Neuen Hebriden. Eine Selbstbiographie, Leipzig: H. G. Wallmann.