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The Story of John G. Paton Or Thirty Years Among South Sea Cannibals
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1898
130 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
John G. Paton
18 books6 followersJohn Gibson Paton, born in Scotland, was a Protestant missionary to the New Hebrides Islands of the South Pacific. He brought to the natives of the New Hebrides education and Christianity.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 21, 2024
Man oh man. If you want a knitty-gritty story of adventures for the gospel, you have found it my friend.
I never heard of this man before but when I spotted this book at an antique store for 2 bucks or so, it caught my eye and was adopted into my personal library. Upon finishing it, I do believe God put it there just for me and it would be great to pass this along or recommend it to someone else.
Unbeknownst to me, John G. Paton was a well-reknowned missionary to the isles of Tanna and Aniwa above Australia. He was even revered by Charles Spurgeon and many other Christians of influence of his day as he went around raising support and sharing of his ministry to the natives.
One thing that stands out the most is the faith-attitude of this man. Despite the countless times he was threatened, sick, grieved from loss of friends and spouse, he simply did not quit or seem to want to quit. Never. His heart for these people to be saved triumphed over every single thing the devil tried to throw at him. You cannot read this and not be moved in your walk with God.
As much as we may love a powerful, eloquent, or thought provoking sermon/book, its the stories that truly stay with us. Which is why I am giving this book 5 stars as it is a true account of what being a missionary to natives is actually like. It will not be forgotten to me what this man of God did as I sense the missionary call upon my own life as well.
Another thing that makes this book such a terrific read is the writing style. The way he talks and writes and describes situations reeled me in and kept me reading at night way later than I should have. This book should truly be in the hands of every missionary, pastor, and evangelist but also christians who want to make a difference in their lives for Christ. Seeing how John G. Paton dealt with the threat of death and much deception from natives with dark motivations is especially interesting and forces you to wonder what you would do in such a situation. Also, the way he communicates the gospel in their pagan context is insightful as well. All-in-all, you will love this adventure!
I never heard of this man before but when I spotted this book at an antique store for 2 bucks or so, it caught my eye and was adopted into my personal library. Upon finishing it, I do believe God put it there just for me and it would be great to pass this along or recommend it to someone else.
Unbeknownst to me, John G. Paton was a well-reknowned missionary to the isles of Tanna and Aniwa above Australia. He was even revered by Charles Spurgeon and many other Christians of influence of his day as he went around raising support and sharing of his ministry to the natives.
One thing that stands out the most is the faith-attitude of this man. Despite the countless times he was threatened, sick, grieved from loss of friends and spouse, he simply did not quit or seem to want to quit. Never. His heart for these people to be saved triumphed over every single thing the devil tried to throw at him. You cannot read this and not be moved in your walk with God.
As much as we may love a powerful, eloquent, or thought provoking sermon/book, its the stories that truly stay with us. Which is why I am giving this book 5 stars as it is a true account of what being a missionary to natives is actually like. It will not be forgotten to me what this man of God did as I sense the missionary call upon my own life as well.
Another thing that makes this book such a terrific read is the writing style. The way he talks and writes and describes situations reeled me in and kept me reading at night way later than I should have. This book should truly be in the hands of every missionary, pastor, and evangelist but also christians who want to make a difference in their lives for Christ. Seeing how John G. Paton dealt with the threat of death and much deception from natives with dark motivations is especially interesting and forces you to wonder what you would do in such a situation. Also, the way he communicates the gospel in their pagan context is insightful as well. All-in-all, you will love this adventure!
May 6, 2020
Nothing inspires me and fans my passion for the Lord Jesus quite like missionary biography. Paton's autobiography is no exception. A Presbyterian from Scotland who ministered among cannibals on small islands in the South Pacific in the mid-1800s, John Paton was constantly in danger, constantly threatened, and yet he eventually saw individuals and then whole tribes converted to Christ. The fruit of his ministry was enormous.
Commenting on the resistance he received when he first declared his intention to go to the South Pacific:
Among many who sought to deter me was one dear old Christian gentleman whose crowning argument always was, "The cannibals! You will be eaten by cannibals!" At last I replied, “Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your body will soon be laid in the grave, to be eaten by worms. If I can live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms.” (34)
On the threats to his life and how they served to strengthen his faith:
But the heathen seldom slackened their hateful designs against my life, however calmed or baffled for the moment. [Once], when Natives in large numbers were assembled at my house, a man furiously rushed at me with his axe. But a chief snatched a spade with which I had been working and dexterously defended me from instant death. Life in such circumstances led me to cling very near to the Lord Jesus. I knew not, for one brief hour, when or how attacks might be made. Yet, with my trembling hand clasped in the hand once nailed on Calvary, calmness and resignation were in my soul.
One day, a wild chief followed me about for four hours with his loaded musket, often directed toward me, but God restrained his hand. I spoke kindly to him and attended to my work as if he had not been there, fully persuaded that God had placed me there and would protect me till my allotted task was finished. I left all in His hands, and felt immortal till my work was done. Trials and hairbreadth escapes strengthened my faith, and seemed only to nerve me for more to follow. The abiding consciousness of the presence and power of my Saviour preserved me from losing my reason. His words, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" became to me so real that it would not have startled me to behold Him, as Stephen did, gazing down upon the scene. It is the sober truth, and it comes back to me sweetly after all the years, that I had my nearest and dearest glimpses of the face and smile of my blessed Lord in those dread moments when musket, club, or spear was being leveled at my life. (72-73)
Commenting on the resistance he received when he first declared his intention to go to the South Pacific:
Among many who sought to deter me was one dear old Christian gentleman whose crowning argument always was, "The cannibals! You will be eaten by cannibals!" At last I replied, “Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your body will soon be laid in the grave, to be eaten by worms. If I can live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms.” (34)
On the threats to his life and how they served to strengthen his faith:
But the heathen seldom slackened their hateful designs against my life, however calmed or baffled for the moment. [Once], when Natives in large numbers were assembled at my house, a man furiously rushed at me with his axe. But a chief snatched a spade with which I had been working and dexterously defended me from instant death. Life in such circumstances led me to cling very near to the Lord Jesus. I knew not, for one brief hour, when or how attacks might be made. Yet, with my trembling hand clasped in the hand once nailed on Calvary, calmness and resignation were in my soul.
One day, a wild chief followed me about for four hours with his loaded musket, often directed toward me, but God restrained his hand. I spoke kindly to him and attended to my work as if he had not been there, fully persuaded that God had placed me there and would protect me till my allotted task was finished. I left all in His hands, and felt immortal till my work was done. Trials and hairbreadth escapes strengthened my faith, and seemed only to nerve me for more to follow. The abiding consciousness of the presence and power of my Saviour preserved me from losing my reason. His words, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" became to me so real that it would not have startled me to behold Him, as Stephen did, gazing down upon the scene. It is the sober truth, and it comes back to me sweetly after all the years, that I had my nearest and dearest glimpses of the face and smile of my blessed Lord in those dread moments when musket, club, or spear was being leveled at my life. (72-73)
October 31, 2023
Incredible. Some drier moments but overall rich and edifying.
May 10, 2020
I read this after a friend highly recommended it, but it didn't quite rise to my expectations. There are some wonderful and encouraging stories in it, and I have even more respect for Paton having read it. It seems like almost every day someone tried to kill him. And I really appreciate the struggle he faced being forced to leave the island and his ministry and trying to raise support back home. It is hard for those who haven't been missionaries to understand the struggle of being forced off the mission field. But my main complaint about the book is that it's too long. I recommend reading the abridged version. A lot can be left out of this version. Also, if you're looking for a lot of miracles and stories of supernatural providence, this probably isn't the book for you. There were one or two such instances in this book, but this is mostly an account of a faithful Christian doing hard, "ordinary" work among a pagan tribe.
July 24, 2021
The first two Christian missionaries who landed in the New Hebrides islands were immediately clubbed, butchered, and eaten. A few years later John G. Paton and his young wife arrived, and she soon died of malaria, along with their newborn son. The natives were constantly threatening to kill “Misi” Paton, but his life was always spared, often in miraculous ways. Eventually some of the natives gave up their barbaric ways (and their cannibalism) and were converted to Christianity. You’ve got to admire those early missionaries, leaving their native lands to journey to the South Seas, because most of them never returned. If they weren’t killed by the islanders, they died of diseases or natural disasters. They made incredible sacrifices to spread Christianity, and I admire them tremendously for that.
August 7, 2025
A great autobiography by an inspiring figure in missionary history. Paton's courage and devotion to God and evangelizing the cannibals is admirable. Through of the large section of the book, you quickly loose count of how many times he barely escapes death at the hands of the natives.
Things drag a little in the second half, as Paton recounts his fundraising tours through civilized lands, but also includes inspiring stories of conversion and massive changes in the culture of the islands.
This version is abbreviated for children, but after a quick comparison it looks like the edits were pretty light. I think quite a bit more of less interesting and important material could have been cut out for the sake of young readers.
Things drag a little in the second half, as Paton recounts his fundraising tours through civilized lands, but also includes inspiring stories of conversion and massive changes in the culture of the islands.
This version is abbreviated for children, but after a quick comparison it looks like the edits were pretty light. I think quite a bit more of less interesting and important material could have been cut out for the sake of young readers.
September 22, 2022
Very informative
If you want to read a real, first hand experience of a missionary in a place where people are the poorest and hopeless, this is it.
The story isn't political and demonstrates the pros and cons of colonialism in a genuine way.
The missionary gives his life to these people while other white men are exploiting these people. All the while, these people are in a cycle of constant violence against each other.
Under the light of Christ, the darkness of both white and black skins are exposed and true light of the Gospel bring light to all races.
If you want to read a real, first hand experience of a missionary in a place where people are the poorest and hopeless, this is it.
The story isn't political and demonstrates the pros and cons of colonialism in a genuine way.
The missionary gives his life to these people while other white men are exploiting these people. All the while, these people are in a cycle of constant violence against each other.
Under the light of Christ, the darkness of both white and black skins are exposed and true light of the Gospel bring light to all races.
June 5, 2021
Such a inspiring faith building story! My heart was blessed to see the incredible power of the Gospel of Jesus to so radically change these people from cannibals to those whose whole lives now were dedicated to the worship and service to “Jehovah God”! John Paton’s fierce commitment to His Lord to fulfill the calling on his life was remarkable!
May 18, 2023
Inspiring and encouraging
This is an amazing account of John Paton's work in the New Hebrides South Sea Islands. He modeled being a peacekeeper, compassionately advocating life for widows and children, and perseverance in bringing the gospel even in the midst of almost constant threat to his own life
This is an amazing account of John Paton's work in the New Hebrides South Sea Islands. He modeled being a peacekeeper, compassionately advocating life for widows and children, and perseverance in bringing the gospel even in the midst of almost constant threat to his own life
July 10, 2019
Amazing page turner and inspiring missionary tale
One of the best books I’ve ever read. So many lessons to learn from John G. Patton in the pages of this book. God is faithful and uses those who are willing to be used for His glory!
One of the best books I’ve ever read. So many lessons to learn from John G. Patton in the pages of this book. God is faithful and uses those who are willing to be used for His glory!
January 30, 2018
The Cost of Sharing Christ
Encouraging story of God’s Sovereign provision in Patton’s life and ministry. The value of Christ is evident in these missionaries life as they risked everything to bring the gospel to the New Hebrides.
Encouraging story of God’s Sovereign provision in Patton’s life and ministry. The value of Christ is evident in these missionaries life as they risked everything to bring the gospel to the New Hebrides.
June 10, 2018
Adventures in old-school missions
Autobiography of a man on the fringes of mission work, risking his life many times to spread the word about Jesus.
Autobiography of a man on the fringes of mission work, risking his life many times to spread the word about Jesus.
January 23, 2021
Amazing!
The life of John G. Paton is such a testament to a man willing to trust in God regardless of the cost. What a testimony!
The life of John G. Paton is such a testament to a man willing to trust in God regardless of the cost. What a testimony!
January 9, 2022
Excellent. Much of the book reads like a fast-paced suspense novel. Much adventure. Much danger. All God's providence in making himself known among the nations.
December 23, 2024
Erg ontroerend boek van een geloofsheld!
January 9, 2026
There are not many men I want to be like as much as I want to be like John G Paton
March 30, 2025
A fascinating book about the first meetings between christian Europeans and Vanuatu cannibals.
April 2, 2018
I have been working my way through this missionary biography since the beginning of the year. This was a super influential book for my husband and we ended up using "Paton" as our second son's middle name, so this was an obligatory read for me. He is best know for his response to the well meaning warning from a church elder after he announced his intentions to travel to the South Pacific New Hebrides islands to bring the gospel to it's inhabitants. His epic response was:
"Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms, I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms; and in theGreat Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer."
Insert mic drop. He is so detailed in his accounts and his stories are thrilling, but there are also so many unshared details. He really gives no specifics of his personal relationship with his wives (several died), nor his children, nor of the practicalities of life on the islands. After he arrived, he is constantly in the process of almost being killed by some native. And in one of these instances, lies my favorite quote of the book:
"I climbed into the tree, and was left there alone in the bush. The hours I spent there live all before me as if it were but of yesterday. I heard the frequent discharging of muskets, and the yells of the savages. Yet I sat there among the branches, as safe in the arms of Jesus. Never, in all my sorrows, did my Lord draw nearer to me, and speak more soothingly in my soul, than when the moonlight flickered among these chestnut leaves, and the night air played on my throbbing brow, as I told all my heart to Jesus. Alone, yet not alone! If it be to glorify my God, I will not grudge to spend many nights alone in such a tree, to feel again my Savior's spiritual presence, to enjoy His consoling fellowship. If thus thrown back upon your own soul, alone, all, all alone, in the midnight, in the bush, in the very embrace of death itself, have you a Friend that will not fail you then?"
This quote summarizes John Paton to me. He experiences sorrow upon sorrow, constant danger upon danger, but He is always consoled by His Friend Jesus and somehow Jesus rescues Him from every scrape. He lives a long, full life and has the privilege of seeing the islanders miraculously confess Christ and establish a church. He had contextual convictions that believers would disagree with today, but His passion for the gospel is beyond admirable and I pray my little Judah Paton shares this same sentiment.
"Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms, I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms; and in theGreat Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer."
Insert mic drop. He is so detailed in his accounts and his stories are thrilling, but there are also so many unshared details. He really gives no specifics of his personal relationship with his wives (several died), nor his children, nor of the practicalities of life on the islands. After he arrived, he is constantly in the process of almost being killed by some native. And in one of these instances, lies my favorite quote of the book:
"I climbed into the tree, and was left there alone in the bush. The hours I spent there live all before me as if it were but of yesterday. I heard the frequent discharging of muskets, and the yells of the savages. Yet I sat there among the branches, as safe in the arms of Jesus. Never, in all my sorrows, did my Lord draw nearer to me, and speak more soothingly in my soul, than when the moonlight flickered among these chestnut leaves, and the night air played on my throbbing brow, as I told all my heart to Jesus. Alone, yet not alone! If it be to glorify my God, I will not grudge to spend many nights alone in such a tree, to feel again my Savior's spiritual presence, to enjoy His consoling fellowship. If thus thrown back upon your own soul, alone, all, all alone, in the midnight, in the bush, in the very embrace of death itself, have you a Friend that will not fail you then?"
This quote summarizes John Paton to me. He experiences sorrow upon sorrow, constant danger upon danger, but He is always consoled by His Friend Jesus and somehow Jesus rescues Him from every scrape. He lives a long, full life and has the privilege of seeing the islanders miraculously confess Christ and establish a church. He had contextual convictions that believers would disagree with today, but His passion for the gospel is beyond admirable and I pray my little Judah Paton shares this same sentiment.
November 17, 2014
What a heart for the Lord this missionary had!
John G. Paton served among the Cannibals of the New Hebrides (now known as Vanuatu) from 1857 (aged 33) to 1887 sharing the love of Jesus despite many difficult & dangerous situations. He also was key in getting the Missionary ship the Dayspring established to help support the missionaries serving on those islands of the South Seas.
The style of writing is obviously of the 1800s, & although I found it more difficult to read on occasions, it was easy to read in short bursts, & I quite happily picked it up to read the next installment.
This has been prepared for Kindle by a group of volunteers, & is now offered for free on Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com. I think at least one of the volunteers was American as for the most part the spelling is the British way, but occasionally an American spelling creeps in - wasn't a problem for me, although it did make me smile. I think if I had been preparing an American book, I would have found it difficult to use American spellings for words I'm so used to spelling the British way!
John G. Paton served among the Cannibals of the New Hebrides (now known as Vanuatu) from 1857 (aged 33) to 1887 sharing the love of Jesus despite many difficult & dangerous situations. He also was key in getting the Missionary ship the Dayspring established to help support the missionaries serving on those islands of the South Seas.
The style of writing is obviously of the 1800s, & although I found it more difficult to read on occasions, it was easy to read in short bursts, & I quite happily picked it up to read the next installment.
This has been prepared for Kindle by a group of volunteers, & is now offered for free on Amazon.co.uk & Amazon.com. I think at least one of the volunteers was American as for the most part the spelling is the British way, but occasionally an American spelling creeps in - wasn't a problem for me, although it did make me smile. I think if I had been preparing an American book, I would have found it difficult to use American spellings for words I'm so used to spelling the British way!
November 5, 2016
I'm not normally one for autobiographies, but this had been recommended to me as a highly interesting account of a faithful man of God and his mission to actual cannibals (this and some other things in the book sound slightly offensive or pejorative to modern ears, but facts are facts, and they did eat humans prior to coming to know Jesus!). It was refreshing as well to see the perspective of John Paton towards women as a result of his faith (in opposition to both the typical view of the day and the cruel treatment women on the South Sea Islands had by their menfolk), a far cry from the now-common refrain that Christianity somehow "oppresses" women.
June 20, 2013
Great book about a man who gave his all for his Faith in Christ. Ministered in a place where cannibalistic chiefs would eat their favorite wives--yet he consistently stood for truth, taught them about the Christian practice of burial and planted the Church on the island. A must read. This man was going to medical school while pastoring a church. In the 5-6 years the tiny group grew to about 600 dedicated disciples of Christ even though they came from the slums. Inspiring! We need to be men like this man!
March 28, 2018
This book was definitely appealing on every level—well written, interesting content, great perspective, etc. So I flew through the 400 pages in just a couple of weeks. It’s the story of a Scottish missionary in the 1900s among the New Hebrides/Vanuatu, specifically among cannibalistic tribes. The story of John Paton influenced my faith in my early teenage years, and now I’m under its influence again. Would definitely recommend it.
March 22, 2016
This book was profound for me to see the zeal and love a man had for the Gospel and missions to the heathens. I highly recommend reading this autobiography. At a minimum listen to John Piper'stalk or biographical sketch of John G Paton.
In particular his love for his father and their relationship has had a lasting impact on me.
In particular his love for his father and their relationship has had a lasting impact on me.
March 5, 2016
John G. Paton lived an almost unbelievable life as a christian missionary in the New Hebrides. The story of his life shows he offered God everything in his life, holding nothing back as he served faithfully among a primitive people group, with multiple threats to his life, and serious personal losses.
May 4, 2016
This was free on Amazon kindle. What a delightful book! He is a wonderful writer and it was interesting and charming to hear about the mission life in the 1800s. Only Gods sovereign hand could move a heart to respond like John Pattons. Amazing.
November 10, 2012
The story of how God used this guy is amazing. It's free from Amazon on Kindle so go read it yourself! His faith=wow.
June 8, 2013
Amazing story if God's protection and providence. And you can get the Kindle edition free from Amazon.
April 4, 2014
It was impressing and astonishing on how the indians came to church after believing in God and repenting.
July 16, 2017
Moving and inspiring to see what many suffer to bring others the Gospel, and the mighty power of God evidenced in the Gospel's transformation of people.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews