John G. Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides, volume 1 (of 3) : $b An autobiography edited by his brotherPaton, John Gibson
Religion
John G. Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides, volume 1 (of 3) : $b An autobiography edited by his brother
Paton, John Gibson
Missionaries -- Vanuatu -- Biography; Paton, John Gibson, 1824-1907
At this dread moment occurred an incident, which my readers may explain
as they like, but which I trace directly to the interposition of my God.
A rushing and roaring sound came from the South, like the noise of a
mighty engine or of muttering thunder. Every head was instinctively
turned in that direction, and they knew, from previous hard experience,
that it was one of their awful tornadoes of wind and rain. Now, mark,
the wind bore the flames away from our dwelling-house, and had it come
in the opposite direction, no power on Earth could have saved us from
being all consumed! It made the work of destroying the Church only that
of a few minutes; but it brought with it a heavy and murky cloud, which
poured out a perfect torrent of tropical rain. Now, mark again, the
flames of the burning Church were thereby cut off from extending to and
seizing upon the reeds and the bush; and, besides, it had become almost
impossible now to set fire to our dwelling-house. The stars in their
courses were fighting against Sisera! The mighty roaring of the wind,
the black cloud pouring down unceasing torrents, and the whole
surroundings, awed those savages into silence. Some began to withdraw
from the scene, all lowered their weapons of war, and several,
terror-struck, exclaimed,—
“That is Jehovah’s rain! Truly their Jehovah God is fighting for them
and helping them. Let us away!”
A panic seized upon them; they threw away their remaining torches; in a
few moments they had all disappeared in the bush; and I was left alone,
praising God for His marvellous works. “O taste and see that God is
good! Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him!”
Returning to the door of the Mission House, I cried,—
“Open and let me in. I am now all alone.”
Mr. Mathieson let me in, and exclaimed,—
“If ever, in time of need, God sent help and protection to His servants
in answer to prayer, He has done so to-night! Blessed be His holy name!”
In fear and in joy we united our praises. Truly our Jesus has all power,
not less in the elements of Nature than in the savage hearts of the
Tannese. Precious Jesus! Does He not chide us, saying,—“Hitherto ye have
asked nothing in My Name. Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be
full!”? How much help, blessing, and joy we lose every day, because we
do not take all to Jesus as we ought! Often since have I wept over His
love and mercy in that deliverance, and prayed that every moment of my
remaining life may be consecrated to the service of my precious Friend
and Saviour!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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