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John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides

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This is the moving autobiography of the heroic Scot missionary, John G. Paton, who introduced the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the cannibalistic inhabitants of the New Hebrides in the mid-nineteenth century.

524 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1889

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About the author

John G. Paton

18 books6 followers
John 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 101 reviews
Profile Image for Grant English.
20 reviews
December 29, 2025
A book like this is a great reminder of the faithfulness of God. Here we see a faithful man whose heart and drive was for the lost souls of the New Hebrides islands, and the ways that God blessed his ministry was tremendous! It was humbling to see the amount of trials he went through and his continual response: to seek the Lord in prayer for guidance and wisdom. The amount of times he was spared from death and disaster was substantial! Highly recommend for anyone looking for an encouraging read or for a missionary biography.

It was a more difficult read at the beginning, but picked up quite a bit after that. The rest of the book was fantastic.
Profile Image for Caroline Rieke.
32 reviews7 followers
January 30, 2022
This may be the best book I have and will ever read!

If I could give it 10 stars I would! John G Paton’s autobiography on his mission to the New Hebrides, was the most-heart warming, tear-wrenching book I have read before. In this book’s pages you’ll find a father, who is greatly supportive of his son’s endeavors to pursue across-the-world mission work, cannibalism (😳) from the depraved islanders of the New Hebrides, and both God and the missionaries’ continued faithfulness.

What was particular amazing to find was John G. Paton’s honest sense of humor despite the hardship and turmoil he faced. There would be a chapter gravely highlighting all the horrors of doing mission work for cannibal, murderous, islanders. While in the next chapter, Paton would provide humorous insight on how he chastised the islanders for their treachery by wagging his finger and scolding them, like they were well-trained children. Or he may mention how his small Scottish terrier, Clutha, protected him on many occasions, as the islanders believed Clutha to be a menacing and dangerous creature.

The best thing about this book is the spurring on it does in Christians’ hearts to be on mission with the gospel. You can’t not desire to share the gospel with lost people after reading this book. It makes you more intentional in your workplace & with your life. That being said, the last few sentences of the book are this: “Truly John G. Paton had lived to serve, and the record of his life is a challenge to every young person who bears the name of Christ. May the love of Christ constrain the reader of this book, as it did its hero, to untiring service for the salvation of souls.”
Profile Image for Cameron McCartney.
83 reviews3 followers
November 21, 2023
I’m usually not much of a biography guy, but I loved this especially humbling autobiography of John Gibson Paton, Scottish missionary to the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) in the 1800s.

I was amazed by JGP’s resilient faith in the face of many life-threatening trials, his fervid zeal for reaching all nations with the gospel and for his selfless love in helping to socially/educationally reform the Pacific Island community into a place which was almost unrecognisable from its former cannibalistic culture.

If you want a humbling read that will help you to feel thankful for everything that you have, and to allow you to see a wonderful example of a life lived to the full, then read this autobiography of John G. Paton.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2 Tim 3:12
Profile Image for Knowlton Murphy.
220 reviews11 followers
November 21, 2019
One of the best books I have ever read. This is the account if a man who put his faith in God--and was not out to shame. As he concludes in his farewell note at the end, he lived for one great idea, the salvation of theost, with many collateral struggles as a logical result--like fighting against the slave trade. I cannot wait to read this again. My heart is full.
33 reviews14 followers
January 3, 2018
I will never forget reading about his dear father. A simple, faithful man who loved the prayer closet and deeply loved his children. The part where the father says goodbye to his son is incredible. He hugs him and weeps, knowing he will probably never see him again, then he hikes on following behind his son, he climbs up to a high place to watch him depart until he can no longer see him. The story covers John Paton preparing for New Hebrides and the incredible and often terrifying experiences and desperate loss he endures there. Later after Paton’s time with the New Hebrides people he goes to Australia. Although his life there isn’t as perilous, it is highly significant and instrumental for the kingdom. Unforgettable. Convicting. Epic. I can not imagine a single soul giving it less than five stars.
Profile Image for Jamie Dyer.
45 reviews
March 26, 2024
There only exists one must-read. However, this book is absolute class and I would recommend everyone to read it.
Paton's stories of both God's protection and provision are astounding and the love and commitment of Himself and the other missionaries to the native cannibal savages and to the gospel surpasses belief. A true challenge to Western Christians.
The olde English is very manageable and Paton's writing style... Many a tear was shed reading of God's amazing transformation of savages' hearts and lives. Wow!
Profile Image for James Hogan.
628 reviews5 followers
March 12, 2025
A fantastic autobiography, truly one of the most inspiring and interesting books I’ve read this year. I’ve had this book on my shelf for over a year now and never quite got to it, partly because of its size and partly because of my terribly misplaced thought that because it was a 19th-century autobiography it would be a slow and tedious read. Oh how wrong I was. This book was action-packed (truly!), quick paced and a joy to read. But what is it about? Well, it’s the story of a man’s missionary life in the New Hebrides, an island group a bit to the northwest of Australia. John Paton was a Scottish man who set his course to follow the directions of his Lord and his heart burned within him to go and preach the gospel to those who had never heard such a wondrous mystery. I keep wanting to go into detail on this man’s gospel-fever and his quest to speak of love of Jesus to cannibal heathens and his delight in seeing the Spirit work, yet I cannot do this book justice with my feeble words! But I feel that this book (published in the late 19th century itself) surely is an essential read to anyone seeking to do missionary work in a far off land. Paton discusses the travails and struggles of working with a people whose culture and ways are oh so different…yet he also speaks of the ways in which the men and women he encounters are not that different from the Scottish folks he had left behind. And you’ll notice earlier I used the word “heathen”, a word (along with pagan) that Paton is not shy about slinging around during his narrative. That may seem crass and misguided in this day and age, but of truth I was a bit delighted to read Paton using this word in the sense in which it is the most fitting – of those who do not know God or practice the works of God. As Paton’s work progresses, he is unsparing about his comparisons of the natives he has settled amongst versus the people of his homeland and is very fiery in his describing the majority of his fellow countrymen back home as “white heathens!” Paton with love and grace shows how God works in hearts of people throughout the globe, no matter their colour or race. Yes, some of his descriptors and tone may seem a bit outdated to our modern ears, but all in all, this is a sound book, full of the passion Paton has for seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ be made known. And just as Paton describes the struggle of missionary life in the faraway land, he also spends much time (perhaps too much for my liking?) describing the most dreaded part of all missionary life. Fund-raising. There is much discussion of Paton using his skills in public speaking and relationship forming to criss-cross Australia (and later the world!) to raise awareness for the mission to the New Hebrides and the needs that could be met if regular church-goers felt the urge to give and support. This book felt remarkably modern with Paton’s very real and practical discussion of what was needed to keep the missions supported. At times I felt I disagreed slightly with the approach taken (multiple large collections taken to purchase their own ships which seemed to me perhaps not the right move?) and at times I felt I was only hearing one side of the story (which, true – as this is an autobiography!), but in truth? This book is remarkably valuable as a primary source and a work in which a missionary describes in detail his work over the course of many years. It is even fascinating observing how Paton’s own beliefs change over time. When he is in Ireland for one of his fund-raising tours, he mentions his impatience with the whole “Organ Debate” and the question of instrumental music in churches. He mentions his former staunch belief that instruments should not be allowed in churches but that his practical experience in the New Hebrides using instruments and the singing of hymns changed his mind for good!

I mentioned earlier that this book was action-packed and quick-paced. That is true. There is so much going on, lots of adventures that Paton is involved in (truly only God could have protected him during the many perilous encounters he was involved in!) and the way in which Paton describes the natives and the conversations he had with them is utterly gripping. At times I wished Paton had maybe described himself and his family a bit more (his wife and children were mentioned barely at all!), but that is not Paton’s focus. He is – probably rightfully – focused on the task at hand, the mission to the natives of the New Hebrides and his heart burns to make known the tale. This is not a man writing something so that he might be known by posterity. Nay, this is a man writing a very gripping account of present-day happenings that he might spread awareness of his mission and the work that God hath wrought in lands long-thought unreachable. I would strongly recommend this book to any missionary or anyone with a heart for missions…and indeed, any Christian whose heart thrills to hear the accounts of God working, which even to this day He is.
Profile Image for Elliot H.
59 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2025
John G Paton’s Autobiography is an excellent book. Paton’s writing is delightfully descriptive, and the circumstances of his life are noteworthy. His life is an inspiring display of unwavering trust and faith in God even through the most tenuous of circumstances. The story of the way God worked in the lives of the islanders of the New Hebrides islands to bring them to Himself alone makes this book worthy of reading, not to mention the harrowing trials of Mr Paton. The fact that he survived to old age can only be ascribed to God’s providence and provision. Certainly any reader will be encouraged by Mr Paton’s story to place their faith wholly on God and on His promises.
Profile Image for Pig Rieke.
309 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2022
John G Paton (pronounced Peyton) was the living embodiment both Paul’s missionary zeal to see the unreached reached with the gospel and to see healthy churches planted. The man counted all as loss for the sake of the gospel including 3 wives (not a polygamist) all die serving alongside him in the conversion of the cannibals. He endured countless threats to his own life, seriously 1/3rd of the 91 chapters contain someone threatening to kill him and eat him. Yet, in all of this he remained faithful and even continued to half a good sense of humor.

I’d commend the book to anyone looking to be edifying, entertained, and left in tears observing a servant of Christ endure all things for the sake of the elect.
Profile Image for Caroline Morris.
66 reviews
November 7, 2022
A little drawn out but worth it.
“Truly John G. Paton had lived to serve, and the record of his life is a challenge to every young person who bears the name of Christ. May the love of Christ constrain the reader of this book, as it did its hero, to untiring service for the salvation of souls”
Profile Image for Kelton Zacharias.
183 reviews14 followers
June 22, 2024
Read in half-chapters chunks at Wednesday night Bible Study over four years! A wonderful story, but the highlight is his father’s love and prayer for him in his youth.
Profile Image for Johanna.
15 reviews4 followers
September 26, 2012
This was one of the most amazing books I have ever read! I can't imagine reading it and not being strongly impressed by the truth and wonder of God's providence. Besides being very encouraging, I found this book to be very rebuking(in a good way). It shows how little most of us Christians in America today know about true suffering for Christ. John Paton's stories of his missionary experience in the New Hebrides are an amazing recount of God's awesome workings and providences, it is full of inspiring tales of Christian heroism for the cross of Christ, and over all is a wonderful glory to God.
15 reviews
January 8, 2008
What a great autobiography! Can't say enough. A man goes to preach the gospel to the cannibals on one of the islands in the South Pacific in the 1800's just 19 years after two other missionaries were eaten for trying to do the same. He is alone and threatened every day but trusts in the Lord for help.
Profile Image for Mary O'bannon.
2 reviews4 followers
May 6, 2016
This is a man to be honored! He went to great sacrifice to reach and win the cannibals of the New Hebrides islands for Jesus Christ. No sacrifice was too great and now, over 100 years later, he's with God enjoying the eternal rewards of a life well lived for His service.
Profile Image for Diaan vd Berg.
54 reviews
July 5, 2025
Utterly life-altering.

This is, without question, the most powerful missionary biography I have ever read. John G. Paton's story didn’t just inspire me — it shook me. Page after page, I found myself gripped, convicted, broken in spirit, and ultimately driven to deeper prayer and bolder evangelism.

To read of Paton’s life among the cannibal tribes of the New Hebrides is to witness a man who counted nothing too dear for the sake of Christ. He embodied the words of Jesus in Matthew 16, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." His life was constantly under threat — yet he remained. His wife and baby boy died within months of arriving at Tanna. He poured out his love on people who hated him, gave up every earthly comfort without a second thought, and endured staggering losses — including the mission ship he spent a decade fundraising for, which was wrecked after only four voyages. And yet he persevered. Joyfully.

As I read, I was undone. His suffering exposed my own half-hearted love for my Saviour. How often do I shrink back from discomfort, while this man pressed forward into danger for the glory of God? His story made me feel ashamed of my life — yet hopeful that I can, by God's grace live a fruitful life for Christ.

Near the end of his life, Paton penned these breathtaking words:

"...as I lay down my pen, let me record my immovable conviction that this is the noblest service in which any human being can spend or be spent; and that, if God gave me back my life to be lived over again, I would without one quiver of hesitation lay it on the altar to Christ, that He might use it as before in similar ministries of love, especially amongst those who have never yet heard the Name of Jesus... God gave His best, His Son, to me; and I give back my best, my All, to Him." (p. 444)

But perhaps the quote that impacted me most was this:

"My peace came back to me like a wave from God. I realised that I was immortal till my Master's work with me was done. The assurance came to me, as if a voice out of Heaven had spoken, that not a musket would be fired to wound us, not a club prevail to strike us, not a spear leave the hand in which it was held vibrating to be thrown, not an arrow leave the bow, or a killing stone the fingers, without the permission of Jesus Christ, whose is all power in Heaven and on Earth." (p. 205)

What confidence. What surrender. What faith.
This is the story of a sinner, saved by grace, who gave his all to make Christ known — and through whom God brought salvation to entire islands.

I close the book, praying:
Lord, raise up more men like Paton! For Your glory and to the praise Your Son alone!
Profile Image for Jessica.
29 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2023
An incredible man with an incredible life lived entirely for the gospel’s sake. John Paton believed Philippians 1:21 in a way that shaped his life like I’ve never seen before, and this book (both Paton’s example and the many people who supported the gospel’s cause through him) made me realise just how little I often trust God to provide in all and every circumstance, but without feeling like a beat up!

The conversion stories of the cannibals on the various islands also reinforced my growing understanding of just how important example and Christian character are in our witness.

Please get hold of this and read!!
Profile Image for Cale Fauver.
114 reviews2 followers
May 9, 2023
A missionary to cannibals of demonic paganism, infanticide, and polygamy! The majority of this book is gripping with Paton’s boldness in God and the Lord’s mighty works of providence.

Though at times, some of the details are laborious regarding his raising support and traveling (though he meets men of great godly influence, such as Spurgeon), to put yourself in his position and dependence on God’s sovereignty for all his funding, traveling, and cares, his sufferings and relentless love for Christ are greatly encouraging.
Profile Image for Connor Curtis.
169 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2025
One of the best missionary biographies I have ever read and probably the best autobiography i have read except for maybe George Mueller’s! It is split into three parts with the first describing Patons call to ministry and initial work on Tanna, the second is the bulk of his ministry on Aniwa, and the final section detailing his travels around the world especially in Canada and America. Paton is an incredibly faithful missionary who loses a wife and child in service of the gospel and feared for his life almost every day for over 5 years while serving the native people of Tanna until the drive him away.
Paton goes back to England for fundraising, gets remarried, and goes back to the islands. Over the next 20 years he ends up converting and creating disciples on his entire island. He fights against infanticide, polygamy, taboo cursing, arson, theft, and all kinds of other difficulties and remains faithful in midst of it all. He is great at majoring on what is most important, but not compromising on essentials of the Gospel.

Paton is an incredible fundraiser and helped provide multiple mission ships for the mission, supported multiple other missionaries and native teachers, and included support from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Over the course of his ministry he interacted with multiple presidents, Charles Spurgeon, George Mueller, and many other famous and notable Christians. He fights for the Gospel and legislation to stop trading firearms and alcohol to the natives. He is one of the most well rounded, accomplished, and faithful missionaries and his story, while long, was super encouraging to me!
Profile Image for Kyle Kelley.
98 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2025
The first 1/3 of the book is the part that everyone wants to read and is the typically missionary biography of absolutely wild stuff. This book was kinda hard to follow due to the way the book was set up with days and events flowing into one another leaving you a little confused where you were in the story. I also just think this could have been 300 pages shorter and it would've been just as good if not better.
369 reviews
June 3, 2021
This man's story is incredible. He must have been in imminent danger of death on hundreds of occasions! Yet his love for the Lord and for the heathen people of New Hebrides pushed him to give himself to the work of ministry. The book became a bit laborious at points, but it was worth pressing-on for the sake of the many hidden gems (and incredible stories) in this account!
Profile Image for Caleb Walker.
122 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2024
This is an incredible story. The courage and obedience of Paton no matter what the circumstance shows his faithful dependence on God. Truly inspiring.

That said, his autobiography is painfully detailed on points that do not add much to the story. It’s good to read it from his own pen, but he could have used an editor. Paul Schlehlein’s biography of John Paton is much better.
Profile Image for Bobby James.
114 reviews6 followers
July 11, 2025
I cannot recommend this enough. The first third alone is worth the rest of the book. Absolutely incredible read. My only gripe is that it can drag at times and so gets tough to pick back up which is why, after sitting at page 275 for a year and a half, I decided I probably wasn’t going to finish the whole thing.
Profile Image for Garrett Johnson.
14 reviews
March 4, 2024
This book was incredible! So many different stories and convicting moments throughout this man’s life. From his Father praying daily for his kids to Paton spending a night in a tree to avoid death, I challenge anyone who desires to grow in their faith to read this book!
Profile Image for Tim Hamer.
8 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2019
I must never complain about the trials of life on mission after reading this book....wow.
Profile Image for Becky.
639 reviews26 followers
June 6, 2021
4.5 stars. Exciting autobiography giving an account of missionary Paton’s calling amongst the cannibals of the New Hebrides.
Profile Image for Tanner  B. .
23 reviews5 followers
March 17, 2022
Wonderful autobiography. A must-read should you consider missions.
Profile Image for Joshua Chatman.
52 reviews2 followers
May 30, 2022
This autobiography is so doggone encouraging! He loved the Lord and was faithful to his commitment to advance the gospel.

I loved part one of the book. Unfortunately, I started to get a bit bored with it at the end of part one. However, I kept reading and part two was EVEN BETTER AND MORE ENCOURAGING!! My goodness. So glad the Lord constrained me to keep reading the book. This is one of my favorite autobiographies.

There’s so much to learn from Paton’s life. His total dependence upon the Lord and his vibrant prayer life, and his confidence in the Lord are all commendable. I found myself crying a number of times when reading the conversion of Aniwans, and their hope in Christ when death was imminent. It was evident that there hope was in the risen and reigning Lord and they LONGED to be with Him.

Profile Image for Chantelle Foote.
8 reviews2 followers
March 18, 2024
This is a true hero! He could be Indiana Jones for Jesus! What a life and what a message!
5 reviews
February 5, 2024
Great book, encouraging, challenging and I wish I’d read it as a new believer
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews

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