The Story of John G. Paton; Or, Thirty Years Among South Sea CannibalsPaton, John Gibson
Religion
The Story of John G. Paton; Or, Thirty Years Among South Sea Cannibals
Paton, John Gibson
Missions -- Vanuatu; Paton, John Gibson, 1824-1907
"Certainly not," she replied.
"Now then," I proceeded, "would it not please Jesus, and be a grand and
holy revenge, if you, the Christians of Aniwa, could carry the Gospel to
the very people whose Chief murdered Mungaw?"
The idea took possession of her soul. She was never wearied talking and
praying over it. When at length a Missionary was got for Nasi's people,
Litsi and her new husband offered themselves as the head of a band of
six or eight Aniwan Christians and were engaged there to open up the way
and assist, as Teachers and Helpers, the Missionary and his wife. There
she and they have labored ever since. They are "strong" for the Worship.
Her son is being trained up by his cousin, an Elder of the Church, to be
"the good Chief of Aniwa"; so she calls him in her prayers, as she cries
on God to bless and watch over him, while she is serving the Lord in at
once serving the Mission family and ministering to the Natives in that
foreign field.
Many years have now passed; and when lately I visited that part of
Tanna, Litsi ran to me, clasped my hand, kissed it with many sobs, and
cried, "O my father! God has blessed me to see you again. Is my mother,
your dear wife, well? And your children, my brothers and sisters? My
love to them all! Oh my heart clings to you!"
We had sweet conversation, and then she said more calmly, "My days here
are hard. I might be happy and independent as Queen of my own Aniwa. But
the Heathen here are beginning to listen. The Missi sees them coming
nearer to Jesus. And oh, what a reward when we shall hear them sing and
pray to our dear Saviour! The hope of that makes me strong for
anything."
CHAPTER LXXXIII.
THE CONVERSION OF NASI.
NASI, the Tanna-man, was a bad and dangerous character, though some
readers may condone his putting an end to Mungaw in the terrible
circumstances of our case. During a great illness that befell him, I
ministered to him regularly, but no kindness seemed to move him. When
about to leave Aniwa, I went specially to visit him. On parting I said,
"Nasi, are you happy? Have you ever been happy?"
He answered gloomily, "No! Never."
I said, "Would you like this dear little boy of yours to grow up like
yourself, and lead the life you have lived?"
"No!" he replied warmly! "I certainly would not."
"Then," I continued, "you must become a Christian, and give up all your
Heathen conduct, or he will just grow up to quarrel and fight and murder
as you have done; and, O Nasi, he will curse you through all Eternity
for leading him to such a life and to such a doom!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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