Exactly 100 years ago - on January 28, 1907 - the famous Scottish missionary to the New Hebrides, John Gibson Paton, died.
Paton's story is incredible!
Whatever biography you read about this man of God, the pathos, passion and peace of heart that he had rises to the surface of the pages.
On the 100th Anniversary of his death, this lecture was given, illustrated by a Powerpoint presentation. The purpose was to draw stir hearts in our present day to carefully survey their service for the Lord Jesus Christ and more fully depend upon the promises of God.
Through multitudnous trials and tribulations, John Paton relied on the golden promise of Matthew 28:20: "Lo, I am with you alway."
We can do the same this year ... and right to the end of our earthly pilgrimage.
[ I was amazed to discover a local connection to the John Paton story. On the Wednesday evening before preaching this message, one of our deacons, Ronnie Snodgrass, showed me an old book written by Rev. Walter Rogerson Paton, one of John's younger brothers. This book was written in Londonderry in 1899, while Rev. Walter Paton was sick. Some internet and public library research undertaken by Ronnie and myself turned up the facts that Walter Paton married his second wife in Londonderry in 1881, lived in this city after his retirement from ministry in Scotland, then died and was buried here on 5 April 1900. This gave us a personal interest in the John G Paton story! ]