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
“What are you going to shoot there? This is the Lord’s own Day!”
He answered, “Only a bird.”
I replied, “Never mind it to-day. You can shoot it to-morrow. We are
going to your Village. Come on before us, and show us the way!”
Seeing how I was protected, he lowered his musket, and marched on
before us. Kalangi addressed the people, after I had spoken and prayed.
In course of time they became warm friends of the Worship; and that
very man and his wife, who once sought my life, sat with me at the
Lord’s Table on Aniwa. And the little girl, above referred to, is now
the wife of one of the Elders there, and the mother of three Christian
children,—both she and her husband being devoted workers in the Church
of God.
Litsi, the only daughter of Namakei, had, both in her own career and
in her connection with poor, dear Mungaw, an almost unparalleled
experience. She was entrusted to us when very young, and became a
bright, clever, and attractive Christian girl. Many sought her hand,
but she disdainfully replied,—
“I am Queen of my own Island, and when I like I will ask a husband in
marriage, as you told us that the great Queen Victoria did!”
Her first husband, however won, was undoubtedly the tallest and most
handsome man on Aniwa; but he was a giddy fool, and, on his early
death, she again returned to live with us at the Mission House. Her
second marriage had everything to commend it, but it resulted in
indescribable disaster. Mungaw, heir to a Chief, had been trained with
us, and gave every evidence of decided Christianity. They were married
in the Church, and lived in the greatest happiness. He was able and
eloquent, and was first chosen as a deacon, then as an Elder of the
Church, and finally as High Chief of one half of the Island. He showed
the finest Christian spirit under many trying circumstances. Once, when
working at the lime for the building of our Church, two bad men, armed
with muskets, sought his life for some revenge or another. Hearing of
the quarrel, I rushed to the scene, and heard him saying,—
“Don’t call me coward, or think me afraid to die. If I died now,
I would go to be with Jesus. But I am no longer a Heathen; I am a
Christian, and wish to treat you as a Christian should.”
Others now coming to the rescue, the men were disarmed; and, after much
talk, they professed themselves ashamed, and promised better conduct
for the future. Next day they sent a large present as a peace-offering
to me, but I refused to receive it till they should first of all make
peace with the young Chief. They sent a larger present to him, praying
him to receive it, and to forgive them. Mungaw brought a still larger
present in exchange, laid it down at their feet in the Public Ground,
shook hands with them graciously, and forgave them in presence of all
the people. His constant saying was,—
“I am a Christian, and I must do the conduct of a Christian.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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