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
After this, I made a Mission tour, in a somewhat mixed and original
fashion, right across the Colony of Victoria, from Albury in New South
Wales to Mount Gambier in South Australia. I conducted Mission Services
almost every day, and three or more every Sabbath, besides visiting
all Sunday Schools that could be touched on the way. When I reached a
gold-digging or township, where I had been unable to get any one to
announce a meeting, the first thing I did on arriving was to secure
some Church or Hall, and, failing that, to fix on some suitable spot in
the open air. Then, I was always able to hire some one to go round with
the bell, and announce the meeting. Few will believe how large were
the audiences in this way gathered together, and how very substantial
was the help that thereby came to the Mission fund. Besides, I know
that much good was done to many of those addressed; for I have always,
to this hour, combined the Evangelist’s appeal with the Missionary’s
story, in all public addresses, whether on Sabbath or other days. I
tried to bring every soul to feel personal duty and responsibility to
the Lord Jesus, for I knew that then they would rightly understand the
claims of the Heathen.
Wheresoever railway, steamboat, and coach were available, I always used
them; but failing these, I hired, or was obliged to friends of Missions
for driving me from place to place. On this tour, having reached
a certain place, from which my way lay for many miles across the
country where there was no public conveyance, I walked to the nearest
squatter’s Station and frankly informed the owner how I was situated;
that I could not hire, and that I would like to stay at his house all
night, if he would kindly send me on in the morning by any sort of trap
to the next Station on my list. He happened to be a good Christian
and a Presbyterian, and gave me a right cordial welcome. A meeting of
his servants was called, which I had the pleasure of addressing. Next
morning, he gave me £20, and sent me forward with his own conveyance,
telling me to retain it all day, if necessary.
On reaching the next squatter’s Station, I found the master also at
home, and said,—
“I am a Missionary from the South Sea Islands. I am crossing Victoria
to plead the cause of the Mission. I would like to rest here for an
hour or two. Could you kindly send me on to the next Station by your
conveyance? If not, I am to keep the last squatter’s buggy, until I
reach it.”
Looking with a queer smile at me, he replied,—“You propose a rather
novel condition on which to rest at my house! My horses are so employed
to-day, I fear that I may have difficulty in sending you on. But come
in; both you and your horses need rest; and my wife will be glad to see
you.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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