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John G. Paton: The Autobiography of the Pioneer Missionary to the New Hebrides
- GenresBiography
552 pages, Hardcover
Published August 14, 2024
About the author
John G. Paton
23 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 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 10, 2025
I know it’s a bit grandiose to say, but I must label this the best autobiography around. I’ve not read all autobiographies, of course, but I’d probably be ready to debate you if you nominated a contender. I’m not a particularly great debater, but I bet I’d win that one simply on the merits.
What are you looking for? Thrills? There’s no shortage here. But there’s something more here. This book is on an epic man, written exquisitely, and yet the author has no earthly idea he’s a great man. To his mind, he only has a great God. I’m not talking about laying it on thick with super-spiritual prose, but a man throughly impressed with our Lord line by line. I’d like to be John Paton when I grow up. I’m 55 but only a child compared to this mature man whose spiritual timbre lifts your heart up toward Christ.
His story is told in three parts. Each part has its own distinct flavor. The first part tells us about his childhood and the wonderful family he came from. It also told his preparation for his mission work. Even this part of the story was totally engaging.
Then he goes to the island of Tanna in the New Hebrides. Instantly I noticed two things in reading this part of his story. First, the hardships he faced were off the scale. He lost his wife and child. At times, it seemed like everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I lost count of the times it looked like he was going to die. One of those stories would’ve made his life story interesting, and yet there were so many. Second, the lack of tangible results also stood out. When he left to go to Australia for a furlough and to raise money, he had far more stories than converts. The part that is so challenging is how his faith held so incredibly strong.
The second part of his story is taking those trips and returning to a different island, Aniwa. He had taken on a new wife by this point and still faced several hardships. He had a few close calls, but nothing like the earlier times. One of my favorite parts is how he dug a well, and how that was used to lead those on the island to Jesus. I’ll not describe the details to avoid a spoiler, but you will be so moved by that story. I sure know I was. The other part of the story that is so different is that the island basically turned to Christ. Though I admire Mr. Paton so much, reading his story presses me to say, what a mighty God we serve!
In the last part of the story he tells about his later years when he traveled around the world, preaching and sharing the story of what God did in those islands. While not as thrilling as the first two parts, it’s still such an enjoyable read. He still just trusted God moment by moment. Don’t skip any of it or you won’t notice him meeting George Mueller or Charles Spurgeon. There is one more twist to the story. When the ship he spent so much time raising money for unexpectedly sank, I almost felt a wave of sadness myself. Again, he gave such an example in how to handle even something of that magnitude.
This book is completely beyond criticism. The world at large doesn’t know the story of John G. Paton, but it’s one of the greatest stories I have ever read.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
What are you looking for? Thrills? There’s no shortage here. But there’s something more here. This book is on an epic man, written exquisitely, and yet the author has no earthly idea he’s a great man. To his mind, he only has a great God. I’m not talking about laying it on thick with super-spiritual prose, but a man throughly impressed with our Lord line by line. I’d like to be John Paton when I grow up. I’m 55 but only a child compared to this mature man whose spiritual timbre lifts your heart up toward Christ.
His story is told in three parts. Each part has its own distinct flavor. The first part tells us about his childhood and the wonderful family he came from. It also told his preparation for his mission work. Even this part of the story was totally engaging.
Then he goes to the island of Tanna in the New Hebrides. Instantly I noticed two things in reading this part of his story. First, the hardships he faced were off the scale. He lost his wife and child. At times, it seemed like everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I lost count of the times it looked like he was going to die. One of those stories would’ve made his life story interesting, and yet there were so many. Second, the lack of tangible results also stood out. When he left to go to Australia for a furlough and to raise money, he had far more stories than converts. The part that is so challenging is how his faith held so incredibly strong.
The second part of his story is taking those trips and returning to a different island, Aniwa. He had taken on a new wife by this point and still faced several hardships. He had a few close calls, but nothing like the earlier times. One of my favorite parts is how he dug a well, and how that was used to lead those on the island to Jesus. I’ll not describe the details to avoid a spoiler, but you will be so moved by that story. I sure know I was. The other part of the story that is so different is that the island basically turned to Christ. Though I admire Mr. Paton so much, reading his story presses me to say, what a mighty God we serve!
In the last part of the story he tells about his later years when he traveled around the world, preaching and sharing the story of what God did in those islands. While not as thrilling as the first two parts, it’s still such an enjoyable read. He still just trusted God moment by moment. Don’t skip any of it or you won’t notice him meeting George Mueller or Charles Spurgeon. There is one more twist to the story. When the ship he spent so much time raising money for unexpectedly sank, I almost felt a wave of sadness myself. Again, he gave such an example in how to handle even something of that magnitude.
This book is completely beyond criticism. The world at large doesn’t know the story of John G. Paton, but it’s one of the greatest stories I have ever read.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
July 27, 2026
What can I say? This was a great book would say further a great testimony of the work of God in the life and ministry of John G. Patton. He was a Presbyterian missionary to the New Hebrides. These Islands were no joke when it came to the "savages/cannibals" that he was sent to minister to. There was account after account of close calls with the natives, tales of death, war, cannibalism, and the burdens that go along with bringing the Gospel of Christ to a lost and dark place.
Though there were many burdens and challenges, there were more testimonies of the kind saving providence of Almighty God. One such example is seen here in the later part of the book, page 501, "Erromanga, where five missionaries were murdered, and two of them devoured by the cannibals, is now a Christian Island. There are 300 communicants, 12 elders, 40 native teachers, and 1750 attending schools - practically the whole population"
Missions work remains a key work and support of the local church. This is something we must never lose sight of even in these dark and troublesome times.
The book was over 500 pages and well worth the read.
Though there were many burdens and challenges, there were more testimonies of the kind saving providence of Almighty God. One such example is seen here in the later part of the book, page 501, "Erromanga, where five missionaries were murdered, and two of them devoured by the cannibals, is now a Christian Island. There are 300 communicants, 12 elders, 40 native teachers, and 1750 attending schools - practically the whole population"
Missions work remains a key work and support of the local church. This is something we must never lose sight of even in these dark and troublesome times.
The book was over 500 pages and well worth the read.
July 3, 2026
Powerful. Every page, and chapter left me burning in awe at the great love of God, the power of His gospel to save the lost, to build His kingdom and preserve His Church till the day He returns.
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December 10, 2025Goodreads review
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews