This is a highly readable and remarkably exciting autobiography. Paton spends just the right amount of time recalling his youth and showing the foundations for his future work. His recollections on leaving home as his father walked with him weeping painted a memorable and compelling picture of what a Christian family can be.
The youthful Paton hoped to be used by Christ. This is refreshing in an age when it seems many believe they are doing the church, and Christ, a favor by deigning to answer the call. Paton’s preparation for ministry is a rather fascinating read and a helpful corrective to some of what seems lacking in some of our current preparation.
He, like many writers of this time period, somehow gives scant attention to himself even as he writes about his actions, reactions, and passions. There is a welcome humility to it all. He seems largely unselfconscious as he writes about himself. It would be interesting to dissect how much of this was the age in which he lived and how much was the virtues within the man. Either way, it would be interesting to read a scholar’s comparison of this autobiography and that of, say, Phil Collins, who wrote one of the most self-conscious books I have ever read; he also wrote Against All Odds though so it’s a mixed bag.
Perhaps the most lurid scene in the book was the death of his wife and child. The poor man remained on their graves lest the cannibals on the islands to whom he was ministering exhume their bodies to feast upon. What I found even more remarkable was the fact that Paton continued his ministry among them in love. Perhaps he had existential questions after the death of his loved ones in the line of his calling, but he never recorded them. Rather than returning home to lick his wounds, he continued the work aggressively while raising funds to keep future missionaries, including himself, well supplied and safe.
While reading these chapters, I found myself reflecting upon my own sense of call. Do I believe in what I am doing strongly enough to continue on aggressively in the face of such a tragedy? I certainly believe this work is of the Lord, but do I believe it is worth my life in the same way that Paton clearly did? I don’t think there is really any way to move towards a solid answer until one finds themselves in such a situation and then I don’t think there is one proper response. Rather the Lord gives the grace necessary in such moments and He gives it for His own purposes.
Ministry along the lines of the apostles will involve conflict at times and Paton’s story is full of it. One loses track of how many times the islanders attempt to kill him. If you find yourself battling the fear of man in ministry, this will book will prove properly bracing. Paton’s confidence in God in the face of literal mobs is emboldening.
The islands to which Paton went were then known as the New Hebrides and are now known as the nation of Vanuatu. The picture in the back of the title above gives you an idea of what Vanuatu looks like. I chose the picture because it has a church building on the left hand side and while Paton never mentioned the beauty of the place, he vividly detailed the beauty of the life of the church that came to exist. Today Christianity is the largest religion on the islands and one-third of the population is Presbyterian, which, I believe, can be traced primarily back to Paton. The work of his hands was certainly established.
This book is easy to read. Unlike some similar biographies it doesn’t grow repetitive with its accounts. I began reading missionary biographies in earnest years ago after recognizing the need for regular encouragement to persevere in ministry given the power of the world, flesh, and devil. I think anyone in any form of ministry is going to bump up against these powers in any number of ways and need encouragement to persevere. These sorts of books have helped me and I hope they might be for you as well.