evangelism

Missionary to the New Hebrides

Full Name: John Gibson Paton
Birth: May 24, 1824
Birthplace: Scotland
Parents: James Paton and Janet Paton
Wife: English
Death: January 28, 1907
Age at Conversion: 12 years

Early Life and Calling

John Paton was born into a devout Christian family in Scotland. His father, a small businessman, lived a holy life and spent much time in prayer. Inspired by his father’s example, John accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 12. While helping his father in business, he studied Greek and Latin, and later pursued theological studies to serve God.

Missionary Vision and Preparation

Paton had a heart for the lost. He longed to take the Gospel to places where people had never heard of Christ. He prayed earnestly for guidance and became aware of the spiritual needs of the New Hebrides islands, where tribal cannibals lived. Though warned that the people might kill him, he boldly trusted God, saying that even if he died, his body would not matter as long as he lived for Christ.

Missionary Work in the New Hebrides

In 1857, at the age of 33, John Paton and his wife sailed to the Tana Island. The island was inhabited by many warring tribes who practiced cannibalism. Paton faced extreme danger but pressed on, showing Christ’s love with patience and courage.

The people followed many superstitions and practiced rituals, but Paton began to teach them about Jesus using gestures and simple communication since he did not know their language at first. Over time, he learned the local languages and continued his work. Many attempts on his life were thwarted, and God protected him repeatedly.

Later, he also went to Aneityum Island, learning the language and ministering diligently. The people there lived primitively, worshipped snakes, and offered their children as sacrifices. Through prayer, teaching, and patient service, Paton led them to accept Christ as their Savior. Even local chiefs, like Namakai, were converted, which influenced the entire community. Eventually, the whole island population embraced Christianity.

Challenges and Achievements

Paton faced personal tragedy when his wife and child died due to illness. Despite his grief and ongoing health struggles, he continued his work, translating the New Testament into the Aneityum language in 1899. Even in his later years, he traveled, wrote letters, visited homes, and worked on Bible translation tirelessly, often working late into the night.

John Paton’s life was marked by constant service to God. He continued his ministry until his final breath, leaving a legacy of courage, faith, and devotion. He passed away on January 28, 1907, at the age of 83.

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Famous Saying:
“The Lord is supporting me; wherever His presence is not, my mind would falter.”

Missionary to North India

Birth: November 8, 1808
Home Calling: April 21, 1877
Birthplace: New Windsor, USA
Place of Vision: India

Robert Cotton Mather was a European missionary known for his work in North India and for revising the Urdu Bible translation. He completed his studies at Glasgow University and began ministering at a Congregational church in York. During this time, he received a call to serve in Banaras, India, through the London Missionary Society (LMS). Just a week after marrying Elizabeth Sewell, Mather set out for India in June 1833.

Mission Work in India

Mather first ministered at Union Chapel, Calcutta, for a few months before moving to Banaras in 1834. He worked there for four years and learned Hindustani and Urdu, which helped him communicate effectively with locals. In 1838, he established a new mission station at Mirzapur.

Although Mather struggled with India’s hot climate, he traveled extensively across Uttar Pradesh, preaching and serving many communities. He brought Mirza John and John Hussain, two Muslims, to Christ, who later became notable evangelists alongside him.

Literary Ministry

With the support of his wife Elizabeth, who also learned Hindustani and Urdu, Mather began a literary ministry. He published a vernacular newspaper that became an effective tool for spreading the Gospel. Inspired by its success, he undertook the revision of the Urdu Bible translation. To translate directly from the original Greek, he also studied Greek. By 1860, Mather had completed a major revision of both Urdu and Hindustani Bible translations. His Hindi commentary on the New Testament is still referenced today.

Social and Educational Contributions

Mather also established schools, churches, orphanages, and a printing press in Mirzapur. Mrs. Mather actively visited women in their homes, teaching and encouraging them in Christian faith. Even as his health weakened in the early 1870s, Mather remained in India to train younger missionaries before returning to England in 1873. He continued his literary work until his passing in 1877.

Afterward, Elizabeth Mather returned to Mirzapur in 1878 and continued serving the community until her death in 1879.