John G. Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides, volume 2 (of 3) : $b An autobiography edited by his brotherPaton, John Gibson
Religion
John G. Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides, volume 2 (of 3) : $b An autobiography edited by his brother
Paton, John Gibson
Missionaries -- Vanuatu -- Biography; Paton, John Gibson, 1824-1907
Necessarily these were the conspicuous features of our life as
Christians in their midst—morning and evening Family Prayer, and
Grace at Meat; and hence, most naturally, their instinctive adoption
and imitation of the same as the first outward tokens of Christian
discipline. Every house in which there was not Prayer to God in the
family was known thereby to be Heathen. This was a direct and practical
evidence of the New Religion; and, so far as it goes (and that is very
far indeed, where there is any sincerity at all), the test was one
about which there could be no mistake on either side.
A third conspicuous feature stood out distinctly and at once,—the
change as to the Lord’s Day. Village after village followed in this
also the example of the Mission House. All ordinary occupations ceased.
Sabbath was spoken of as the Day for Jehovah. Saturday came to be
called “Cooking Day,” referring to the extra preparations for the day
of rest and worship. They believed that it was Jehovah’s will to keep
the first day holy. The reverse was a distinctive mark of Heathenism.
The first traces of a new Social Order began to rise visibly on the
delighted eye. The whole inhabitants, young and old, now attended
School,—three generations sometimes at the one copy or A B C book!
Thefts, quarrels, crimes, etc., were settled now, not by club law,
but by fine or bonds or lash, as agreed upon by the Chiefs and
their people. Everything was rapidly and surely becoming “new” under
the influence of the leaven of Jesus. Industry increased. Huts and
plantations were safe. Formerly every man, in travelling, carried with
him all his valuables; now they were secure, left at home.
Even a brood of fowls or a litter of pigs would be carried in bags
on their persons in Heathen days. Hence at Church we had sometimes
lively episodes, the chirruping of chicks, the squealing of piggies,
and the barking of puppies, one gaily responding to the other, as we
sang, or prayed, or preached the Gospel! Being glad to see the Natives
there, even with all their belongings, we carefully refrained from
finding fault; but the thread of devotion was sometimes apt to slip
through one’s fingers, especially when the conflict of the owner to
silence a baby-pig inspired the little wretch to drown everything in a
long-sustained and angry swinish scream.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account