_ROUND THE WORLD FOR JESUS._
A. D. 1886–1893. ÆT. 62–69.
From 1886 to 1892.—Tour Round the World.—Fire-Arms and
Intoxicants.—International Prohibition Proposed.—Deputies to
America.—Samoan Converts.—America and Hawaii.—San Francisco.—Salt
Lake City.—Chicago.—Niagara.—Pan-Presbyterian Council at
Toronto.—The Ruthven Imposture.—Sabbath Observance.—Rochester.—New
York.—Public Petitions.—Washington.—The Presbyterian
Assembly.—President Cleveland.—France’s Withdrawal.—Dr. Joseph
Cook.—Dr. Blank.—Second Probation.—Chicago Exhibition.—Canadian
Presbyterian Church.—Two months’ Rush of Meetings.—Incidents of
Travel.—Impressions of Canada and the States.
From 1886 till 1892 my days were occupied, in the various Colonies of
Australasia, and in occasional visits to the New Hebrides, practically
in the same way as set forth again and again in the preceding Chapters.
Colony after Colony, and Congregation after Congregation listened with
ever-deepening interest to the narrative of God’s dealings with the
Islanders, and to the record of the effects produced by my relating
these incidents wherever my steps had been led in the interests of
Missionary Enterprise. If I have accomplished nothing else by all these
travels and toils, this at least has been accomplished, and I write it
down to the praise of my blessed Redeemer—there are Missionaries at this
day laboring in every Heathen Land, who have assured me that they first
gave themselves away to the glorious work, while drinking in from my
poor lips the living testimony from the New Hebrides that the Gospel is
still the power of God and the wisdom of God unto Salvation; and there
are individual Christians, and sometimes also Congregations of the Lord,
now zealously supporting Missionaries to the Heathen in all the great
Mission fields of the world, who, till they heard the story of Cannibals
won for Christ by our noble Missionaries on the New Hebrides, had
foolishly branded the modern Christian Mission to the Heathen as the
greatest imposture and failure of the Century. God has filled the ear
and the eye of Christendom with the story of one of the smallest, yet
most fruitful, Missions in one of the hardest and darkest fields on this
Earth; and the whisper of “imposture” has died for shame, while the arm
of the scoffer falls paralyzed, and can no longer sling its stones of
abuse. “Failure” has been blotted from the vocabulary of Missions and
their Critics by the Story of the New Hebrides.
But in 1892, events which had been maturing through many years came to a
crisis, the issue of which was that I was sent a TOUR ROUND THE WORLD in
the Cause of Jesus, and for the sake of our beloved Islanders. A
broadly-drawn picture of these things, without any attempt at details,
seems all that is called for here. This I now set myself to give to the
patient and indulgent reader of these pages, which after all contain
only brief and fragmentary scenes out of a crowded and hurried life.
The occasion was this: The sale of Intoxicants, Opium, Fire-Arms and
Ammunition, by the Traders amongst the New Hebrideans, had become a
terrible and intolerable evil. The lives of many Natives, and of not a
few Europeans, were every year sacrificed in connection therewith, while
the general demoralization produced on all around was painfully
notorious. Alike in the Colonial and in the Home Newspapers, we exposed
and condemned the fearful consequences of allowing such degrading and
destructive agencies to be used as barter in dealing with these
Islanders. It is infinitely sad to see the European and American Trader
following fast in the wake of the Missionary with opium and rum! But,
blessed be God, our Christian Natives have thus far, with very few
exceptions, been able to keep away from the White Man’s Fire-Water, that
maddens and destroys. And not less cruel is it to scatter fire-arms and
ammunition amongst Savages, who are at the same time to be primed with
poisonous rum! This were surely Demons’ work.
To her honor, be it said, that Great Britain prohibited all her own
Traders, under heavy penalties, from bartering those dangerous and
destructive articles in trade with the Natives. She also appealed to the
other trading Nations, in Europe and America, to combine and make the
prohibition “International,” with regard to all the still unannexed
Islands in the Pacific Seas. At first America hesitated, owing to some
notion that it was inconsistent with certain regulations for trading
embraced in the Constitution of the United States. Then France,
temporizing, professed willingness to accept the prohibition when
America agreed. Thus the British Trader, with the Man-of-War and the
High Commissioner ready to enforce the laws against him, found himself
placed at an overwhelming disadvantage, as against the neighboring
Traders of every other Nationality, free to barter as they pleased. More
especially so, when the things prohibited were the very articles which
the masses of the Heathen chiefly coveted in exchange for their produce;
and where keen rivals in business were ever watchful to inform and to
report against him. If illicit Trading prevailed, under such conditions,
no one that knows average Human Nature can feel any surprise.
By-and-bye, the _Australian New Hebrides Company_, with two Steamers
plying betwixt Sidney and the New Hebrides, took up the problem. Having
planted Traders and Agents on the Islands, they found themselves
handicapped in developing business, and began a brisk agitation in the
Australasian and English Press, either to have the Prohibition applied
all round, or completely rescinded. We have never accepted that
alternative, but resolutely plead for an International Prohibitive law,
as the only means under God to prevent the speedy sweeping off into
Eternity of these most interesting Races by the tide of what is
strangely styled Civilization.
At length Sir John Thurston, Her Majesty’s High Commissioner for the
Western Pacific, whose sympathies all through have been on our side,
advised that the controversy in the Newspapers cease, and that our
Missions and Churches send a deputation to America to win the assent of
the United States. Consequently, the next Federal Assembly of the
Australasian Presbyterian Churches instructed two of its Professors in
the Divinity Hall of Victoria, who were then visiting Britain, to return
by America, and do everything in their power to secure the adhesion of
the United States Government to the International proposal. Lest,
however, these Deputies found themselves unable to carry out their
instructions, the same Assembly appointed me as Deputy, with identical
instructions, to undertake the task during the succeeding year.
Meanwhile, the General Assembly of Victoria appointed the Rev. Professor
Rentoul, D. D., Ormond College, the Rev. Jas. M’Gaw and myself, to
represent them at the Pan-Presbyterian Council to be held at Toronto in
September, 1892, and thus was I altogether unexpectedly launched on what
proved to be the biggest of all my Missionary journeys. I received three
several Commissions. But that from my own Church of Victoria, signed by
the Moderator of the General Assembly and the Convener of our Foreign
Mission Committee, bears most closely on the succeeding narrative. It
set forth that, besides being appointed by the Federal Assembly to the
Council at Toronto, I was empowered to use all legitimate influence with
the Government of the United States “for the suppression of the trade in
Fire-Arms, Intoxicating Liquors, and Opium, in the New Hebrides Islands
and other unannexed Groups in the Western Pacific.” I was also
“authorized to procure two Missionaries to serve in the New Hebrides
Islands under this Church,” and to receive, on behalf of the Committee,
“any contributions offered for its Foreign Missions.” So that I acted,
and had good right to act, in the name and by the authority of my own
Church, and of the Federated Churches of Australasia.
With my Fellow-Deputies, and accompanied so far on the journey by my
wife and our beloved daughter, we sailed from Sydney for San Francisco
per s. s. _Monowai_, on 8th August, 1892. We had a very agreeable
voyage, Captain Carey and all on board striving to make others happy. At
Auckland, on the 13th, we had the great delight of spending a few hours
with our very dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Mackie, while the ship was
discharging and receiving cargo and mails; and, as she was leaving,
several Ministers and other kind friends bade us Godspeed. Again, at
Samoa, on the 18th, we had a few hours to spend, and were immensely
gratified with the appearance of the Natives. They had a bright and
healthy look as they came amongst the passengers with shells,
operculums, and fans, their manner being characterized by a gentle
grace, that comes only with the coming of Christ into a Savage man or
woman. These, and the Raratongans, and the people of Savage Islands,
were amongst the first whom the London Missionary Society saw “flocking
as the doves to their windows,” from the hordes of Cannibalism. They are
tall, vigorous and alert; and many of them are now teachers for Jesus,
and preachers of the Gospel in New Guinea and other Heathen Islands. My
heart overflows with love and praise whenever I gaze on such trophies of
Redeeming Grace.
[Illustration:
MEMBERS OF THE NEW HEBRIDES MISSION SYNOD, 1898.
Rev. John G. Paton, D.D., in the center.
]
We reached Honolulu, the Hawaiian Capital, on the 25th, and spent nearly
a whole day on shore. By a circuitous drive, and on remarkably good
roads, we ascended a considerable hill and beheld the City spread before
us with its Palace, Government Buildings, Mansions and Villas. Large and
beautiful trees surrounded them all. Two Men-of-War and many other ships
swung at anchor in the harbor, and the shimmering Sea completed a
charming panorama. Smart and diligent Chinese were at work on every
hand, side by side with the busy representatives of almost every
Nationality, eager to profit by the passing visitors. The larger portion
of the wharf seemed to be covered with Bananas for San Francisco, the
bunches carefully bound up in dry leaves for shipping. I had never seen
so many in all my life thus gathered together.
The Queen had been deposed or deprived of power. National interests were
sacrificed in self-seeking and partisanship. One could not but sigh for
some strong and righteous Government. They are a people capable of great
things. Everything seems to invite America to annex the group; and it
would be for the permanent welfare of all concerned.
On 2d September, we arrived at San Francisco, after a delightful voyage.
The society on board was most congenial. We had happy daily Religious
Services, and I managed to secure about eight hours to myself out of
every twenty-four for copying out translations, finishing my Dictionary
of the Aniwan language, and other Mission work on which I was constantly
engaged.
San Francisco is beautifully situated. Many of its streets run up and
down what seemed very steep hills, and the principal highways are well
supplied with Electric Cars. Your own language is spoken, indeed, but
you feel at every turn, for all that, you are in a Foreign City. On
Sabbath morning, the first thing I marked on leaving our Hotel was the
joiners busy with saw and plane, as on any other day! The next was a
multitude of people flocking to a place of Public Amusement, while
others were going to Church. The mass of the inhabitants were either in
pursuit of pleasure, or following their usual avocations. Even the City
scavengers turned out with their carts, and were cleaning the streets on
the Lord’s Day!
Yet we soon learned that even there the Lord Jesus has many faithful
servants living and working for His glory. Several Ministers, hearing of
our arrival, found out our Hotel, and had us to assist them in their
Services. I delivered three Addresses, walking considerable distances
between, and refusing to use public conveyances, or deprive man or beast
of rest for my convenience,—to the great astonishment of my guides and
friends.
On Monday morning we visited the famous Seal Rocks, a short distance
from the city. There you see them, under protection, safely wobbling up
on the rocks and basking contentedly in the sunshine, or tumbling
delightedly into the Sea. From a considerable distance you hear the
strange, half-barking sound of their voices, like muzzled dogs. From the
plateau and promenade of a lovely private Garden near by and open to the
public, we had a magnificent view of the Sea and all the surrounding
scenery.
The same day, our whole party were invited to address a meeting of Lady
Workers, who carry on a Mission in the Chinese quarter of the City. A
report was given, and some Converts from the Flowery Land sang hymns to
Jesus. It was joyful to see this spiritual life;—for tokens were not
awanting of a darker and sadder picture all around us, in the dens of
vice and misery.
Guided, but not very wisely, by Cook’s representative, we left San
Francisco on 5th September. Though now travelling night and day, we
halted a few hours at the famous Mormon Settlement on 7th September.
While looking at the grave of Brigham Young, a well-dressed old lady
approached us and volunteered much information about her departed
husband. He was one of the first settlers in the Salt Lake District, and
had taken an active part in the building of the city and the Temple. She
herself was a Mormon, and mourned that their glory was departing under
the influence of the American laws. She was fervent in her defence of
polygamy, but I noted that, with the Mormons as with the South Sea
Savages, a separate house had to be provided for each wife! We saw their
vast Temple, said to accommodate 15,000 persons, with tradesmen toiling
busily to finish it, for the reception of Brigham Young on his speedy
return to this Earth.
Replenishing our provision basket, as it was too expensive to take all
our meals on board the train, our next run was to Chicago, which we
reached on 10th September, and where we rested at a Hotel on the Sabbath
Day. It was a day of tremendous storm and rain and no one of us ventured
out even to Divine Service, especially as no Place of Worship was nigh
at hand. Amongst our fellow-passengers from San Francisco had been a
very kindly Christian man belonging to Chicago. He gave us every
information, and on Monday showed us round the whole City by boat and
car. We saw the Exhibition Buildings, lavishly expensive. The
Horticultural Gardens were extensive and most interesting. In the
Zoological Enclosure we saw a few remaining specimens of the Buffaloes,
which once in myriads roamed the Prairies, but which Civilization has
swept away.
Leaving Chicago, we arrived at Buffalo on the evening of the 13th
September, and returned next day to Niagara, whence by train and
steamboat we were bound for Toronto. We had already had a glimpse of the
Falls, where the train halted for a few minutes at a convenient spot,
and the view was grand! When next I gazed on the spectacle, nigh at
hand, I am afraid almost to admit that I was rather disappointed. Too
transcendent expectations beforehand, I suppose!
I left Mrs. Paton and our daughter at the Falls for a day, whilst I went
on to Toronto to arrange for accommodation. What a blessing that I was
guided to do so! A great Agricultural Show was being held there; and, on
arriving in the evening, I found every Hotel and Lodging so crowded that
I walked till midnight from one end of the City to the other, seeking in
vain for a bed. At last one manager of a Hotel proposed to give me a
“shake-down” in a Common Room, where twenty-two were to sleep that same
night. But the Hotel-Keeper taking pity, and protesting that he could
not allow me to “tumble into that crowded place,” gave me the address of
a private family who took in lodgers, to whom he commended me. With much
difficulty, at that late hour, I found the street and the number. The
owner, on hearing my appeal, said he had already “turned away thirteen,”
and that he had not a corner to receive me. I offered to pay him the
highest charges, “merely to rest in the Hall all night,” rather than to
tramp the streets. Calling his wife, he said: “I have not the heart to
turn this old man away! May he not sleep on the floor of our new empty
Room?” Her answer was: “I have neither bed, nor bedclothes, nor even a
pillow to give him.” But I was glad of the shelter over my head. A chair
was brought in and placed in the middle of the floor. Kneeling, I
thanked the Lord, and my hosts. Then, utterly worn out, I placed my
travelling handbag for a pillow, rolled my clothes tightly round me, lay
down, and enjoyed a most refreshing sleep.
Next morning I found my way to the Presbyterian Church Offices, where a
cordial welcome awaited me, and news of ample accommodation for our
comfort, all generously provided. Several invitations were pressed on
me, but I accepted that of Mrs. Park, who had in the old days been a
member of my Bible-class in the Green Street Mission, Glasgow, and it
was a great joy to meet once more her sister and herself. The attention
of many other friends was also very great, and far too devoted, making
us feel ashamed at the love lavished on us.
At the Pan-Presbyterian Council I met and became acquainted with
representative Ministers and Laymen from all parts of the world, but in
specially large numbers from Canada and the United States. Along with
Fellow-Deputies, I addressed the Assembly on Foreign Missions, and on
the urgent reasons for my present visit to America. A Minister from the
United States at once rose and protested that there must be some
mistake, that it was “an insult to their honor” to insinuate that they
declined to join with Britain in such an International Prohibition! I
repeated my statements, showed my Commission, and affirmed that it was
certainly as I had represented. He telegraphed to the Authorities at
Washington, and next day he courageously stood up in his place and
admitted that he was wrong, and that I had correctly stated the facts.
The action of that good and brave man, once for all, made the issue
plain and cleared my future course.
I was proud of our Professor Rentoul, of Ormond College. He at once took
a leading place in the Council. In wisdom, in vast learning, and in
eloquent debate, he was the equal of the best men from all Presbyterian
Christendom. I envied the Students who sit at the feet of such a noble
Master in the School of Christ.
In response to my appeals, Ministers from Canada and the United States
began informing me how many collections they had given “for the New
Hebrides Mission,” and subscriptions “for building the new Mission
Ship.” I had never heard of these, and inquired to whom they had been
given. They replied that it was my “alternate,” commissioned from the
Presbyterian Church of Victoria! I assured them that my Church appointed
no alternate, and that this person must be an impostor. A Committee was
appointed to look into the matter. The eloquent pleader turned out to be
a Roman Catholic student who had joined the Victorian Church, had been
licensed and ordained as a Minister, had broken down in character, and
disappeared from the Colony. Now, under a false name and forged
credentials, representing himself as a Minister in full and honorable
standing, and a Missionary who had been thirteen years in the New
Hebrides, he was raising large sums of money ostensibly for our Mission,
but applying it all to his own uses. His lectures were cleverly
compounded out of my _Autobiography_, with wild adornments and fancies
of his own. He had Collecting Cards for children and for adults, the
minimum subscription on the latter being half-a-dollar! His New Ship was
to be sheathed in brass, and every subscriber of not less than $5 was to
have his name engraved thereon! One man informed us of giving $25 to
have his Family Register completed on the sheath of brass!
Dr. Rentoul, by appointment, officially exposed and denounced this
impostor on the floor of the Council. But, in these vast countries, a
lie is hard to overtake and to extinguish. Letters continued to reach me
from many quarters, and urgent appeals that I should sanction his
arrest. At one place he drank for a week, after a series of Mission
Meetings. The Ministers of Buffalo at length caused him to be arrested;
and the Public Attorney, founding on his so-called credentials as my
assistant, summoned me to appear before the Grand Jury at his trial. In
a “blizzard,” I travelled two nights and a day—one night the severest
and coldest I ever endured—and reached my destination in time.
Having answered all questions by the Attorney and the Grand Jury, they
asked me to see the prisoner, and testify whether he was the ex-Priest
Riordan, now giving his name as Ruthven. I thereon handed the Attorney a
pamphlet exposing the evils and errors of Popery, being three Lectures
by V. H. Riordan, with his portrait on the front page. They all at once
recognized him by this likeness. Nevertheless, I was enjoined to go and
see him, and report what took place. He was behind an iron-grated door,
and two ladies were conversing with him from without. Addressing him at
once by his name, I said: “It grieves me to see you here in these
circumstances, Mr. Riordan.” Completely off his guard, he at once
answered to his own name, and addressed me by mine: “And I am very
sorry, Dr. Paton, to be here in such circumstances.” This was enough! I
reported what transpired, and the Jury took a hearty laugh at the
simplicity of the interview. I was dismissed for the time.
In answer to the Prosecutor, he explained that when he renounced the
errors of Popery, he assumed his mother’s name for life—Ruthven; yet
there they had his own pamphlet, with his real name, printed in
Philadelphia less than two years before! Being committed for trial
before the Supreme Court, he spent his time of waiting in abusing me
from his cell through the pages of a Sunday newspaper, as “a drunkard”
debauching my Sacred Office, and “a hireling” living by commission on
the moneys raised for the Mission. So madly did he rage, that some
suspected he was put up to do so, in order that his agent might work up
a plea of insanity, if the case at last went against him.
At his trial, which occupied the greater part of three days, I was again
cited to appear. The Jury found him “guilty,” but strangely enough
recommended him to mercy, and his lawyer pled for a money fine as the
penalty. The Judge sternly refused. He had been found guilty in every
count. His sentence would be “twelve months in prison with hard labor.”
That was “extreme leniency.” It should have been “three years.”
One would have thought that this should have extinguished him. But no!
His imprisonment has expired. He is again at his lecturing and lying.
Quite lately I saw a report of his appearing at a place called Dunmore.
The Romanists mobbed him. In reply to their eggs and snowballs he fired
a pistol into the crowd. The cry then rose, “Lynch the Renegade!”
Ruthven, bounding through an open door, scaling fences, and crossing
lots, managed to escape. But a warrant was at once issued for his
apprehension, and doubtless he is proving the truth of one text, which
he has listened to in vain: “The way of transgressors is hard.”
During the Pan-Presbyterian Council, I addressed many meetings in the
churches of Toronto and its suburbs, receiving, on one occasion, by the
kindness of Dr. Parsons, a collection of two hundred dollars for our
Mission. And, by the urgent request of many Ministers, I spent a
considerable time after the Council in visiting the chief towns of
Ontario, where I was cordially received everywhere, and had very great
pleasure throughout the whole circuit.
Never, since I left the Christian Islands on the New Hebrides, such as
Aniwa and Aneityum, have I seen the Sabbath Day kept so well, and the
Churches so largely attended, as at Toronto and in the chief towns of
Ontario. In that Capital, the Public-Houses are closed from seven
o’clock on Saturday night till eight o’clock on Monday morning. No
confectioners, tobacconists, fruiterers, or the like, are open on the
Lord’s Day. The street Electric Car, and the Omnibus are at rest. All
workmen are enjoying their Sabbath privilege, like other Citizens. And
all this is carried through by the will of the People themselves, and by
the vigilance and influence of the servants of God. Surely, men of
Christian principle, of grit, and of public spirit, could, by keeping
their hand on the helm, secure in the same way the blessed Day of Rest
for all, in every City throughout the Christian World.
By cordial invitations from many men of the highest rank in the Church
of God throughout the States, I was pressed to occupy their Pulpits, and
tell the story of our Mission to the Cannibals of the New Hebrides. They
also formed a Committee of their own number to advise and help me in
promoting the prohibition against trading with the Natives in
Intoxicants and Fire-Arms. And the great-hearted Dr. John Hall, in order
to give me a good start in New York, offered me his Pulpit for my first
Sabbath there.
On the way, I had promised to spend an afternoon and evening at
Rochester, with the Rev. Principal Osgood of the Baptist College. An
extraordinary spirit of consecration seemed to rest on Professors and
Students alike. My heart was overflowing with joy, to think of the type
of Ministers and Missionaries certain to go forth from such a Home of
Piety and of Learning.
Never can I express how much I owe to the genuine and brotherly
friendship of Dr. Sommerville of New York, and his devoted lady. Not
simply did they make their House my very Home, whensoever I chose to
return to it, but they heaped on me every token of consideration and of
helpful sympathy. Amidst his many cares, as a Minister of the
Covenanting Church, and his literary labors, as Editor of the _Herald of
Mission News_, he became Honorary Treasurer for me in the States, and
according to his utmost ability opened up all my way, and helped me at
every turn. They are forever my dearly beloved friends in the bonds of
Jesus Christ.
After my first two Sabbaths in New York, one in Dr. John Hall’s Church,
and one in Dr. Sommerville’s, I had no difficulty in arranging for as
much work, Sunday and Saturday alike, as my strength could overtake. One
lady, who heard me in Dr. Hall’s, sent me one thousand dollars, as from
“Elizabeth Jane.” In addressing the Chamber of Commerce, the Doctor
himself announced clearly the special object of my visit to America, and
described the features of our Mission. This, being fully reported in the
Public Press, woke a widespread interest, and invitations poured in upon
me from all branches of the Church, excepting only the Romish and the
Unitarian.
The way to Washington, and to influence with the Governing Authorities,
was prepared for me thus. Being a stranger and only a poor Missionary, I
asked every Public Meeting, held on any day except Sabbath, to forward a
Petition to the President and the Congress, signed by the Chairman, in
favor of the Prohibition of Intoxicants and Fire-Arms, as barter by
American Traders on the New Hebrides, or other unannexed Islands in the
Pacific. The Daily Press reported all these Petitions. The Public became
thoroughly interested. And even the Authorities were expecting my appeal
in person. Nay, I cannot but regard it as of the Lord that my first
Sabbath in Washington happened to be in the pulpit of Dr. Bartlet, where
I, altogether unknown to myself, was pleading the cause before the Chief
Secretary of the Government. He sent me fifty dollars for the Mission,
invited me to lunch with his family, and gave me ample opportunity, by
answers to many questions, to state all the case, and to deepen all
round the growing interest in our Mission.
On the forenoon of the following Sabbath, I occupied the pulpit of Dr.
Hamlin, and the President of the United States heard my story and
appeal. Many Senators and Members of Congress, having matters thus
rehearsed, were able to weigh the question carefully, before I made my
official statement at all. The President declared himself quite frankly
to be deeply interested, and willing to expedite in every possible way
the negotiations with Britain. It emerged that in the British reply
there was a new clause, empowering one of the contracting parties to
license Traders, under certain circumstances, to sell Intoxicating
Drinks. The President struck his pen through that clause, and at once
returned it, insisting on its excision. Had Britain agreed to this,
President Harrison would then have signed the Treaty. But, alas, week
after week elapsed, and no reply came. A new Election took effect, and
President Cleveland was installed at the White House.
My Advisory Committee in America now insisted that I must wait till the
new Government’s arrangements were all completed, and once more press my
appeal. I resumed my work of addressing Public Meetings every week day,
and Congregations every Sabbath Day, always sending, from the former,
Petitions to the President and Congress regarding the proposed
Prohibition on the Islands. I had also private interviews with many
leading Politicians. To all I pointed out that, as America was now
united with Britain in the Dual Protectorate of Fiji, we only sought the
extension of prohibition on that Group to the Group of the New Hebrides.
Constantly engaged in these Mission interests, I planned my second visit
to Washington to take place at the same time as the General Assembly of
the Presbyterian Church of the United States. I had the honor to address
it on Foreign Missions, and to preach before a number of Congregations
during its sittings, for a very deep interest was manifested in the
wondrous workings of God on the New Hebrides.
I was introduced to the new President, when the General Assembly went in
procession to do him honor. Both he and Mrs. Cleveland welcomed me to
America, and, a few days after, they invited me to lunch at the White
House, privately, that they might question me freely regarding the
Islanders and our work. They both seemed to me to be genuine followers
of the Saviour, and sincerely interested in the salvation of the Heathen
World.
The Presbyterian Assembly thereafter appointed a large Deputation of its
leading men to accompany me in laying officially before the Government
our grievance regarding Fire-Arms and Intoxicants, and pleading that the
United States should unite with Britain in the Prohibition of all
trading with Natives in the same. In order to save time, and secure
lucidity, Professor Hodge carefully prepared and read our statement. The
President expressed himself as deeply interested, and requested the
document to be left with him for reference. We anxiously awaited the
result; but the final reply from Britain was still delayed. Our hearts
grew sore with hope deferred!
In course of time I was informed at the British Colonial Office in
London, that as France and Russia had withdrawn from the proposal, the
negotiations were for the present suspended. France, for years, postured
before the world as ready to enforce this prohibition, if America would;
and now, when America was ready, France withdrew! Still, on the highest
of all moral grounds, let us plead with America, Germany, and Britain,
already united in their triple Protectorate of Samoa, to extend the same
prohibition to the New Hebrides, and the other unannexed Islands in the
Western Pacific. If they would do so, the other Powers interested could
scarcely fail to agree, and France would be ashamed to stand before the
world as the only Civilized Nation, exploiting the bodies and souls of
poor Savages by trading with them in Fire-Arms and Drink for mere
godless greed of gold.
In Boston, the Ministers of all the Reformed Churches, having formed a
representative Committee, organized a series of meetings, and cordially
invited me to address them. Dr. Joseph Cook and his gifted wife gave me
a public reception, to which many of the leading Citizens, as well as
Professional men, were invited, and where I answered all sorts of
questions regarding Missions in general, and the New Hebrides in
particular. I was also twice introduced to the audiences at his famous
Monday Lectures; and my replies to testing problems, there submitted,
were printed in _Our Day_, and woke not a little interest in the work of
God amongst the Cannibals of the Southern Seas. To all these generous
friends at Boston, I am forever indebted, but very specially to John
Gilchrist, Esq., an office-bearer in the Presbyterian Church, who toiled
in the cause incessantly, and whom may the Lord Jesus richly recompense!
One curious experience befell me there, outside the range of my ordinary
work. A “Temperance Union” of Women engaged me to address a Working
Folks’ Meeting on a Sabbath afternoon, in what they called the Peoples’
Church. When I arrived, nearly half of the large Platform was occupied
with ladies scraping away and tuning their violins, large and small! A
lady occupied the chair, and introduced Dr. Blank, a Unitarian or rather
an Infidel, who was to speak for ten minutes, and then leave the meeting
in my hands. He knew that I had to leave within an hour, and drive to
another meeting, but he went on and on, tracing a Carpenter all through
his life to exhausted old age, manifestly stirring up class against
class, and sowing the seeds of infidelity. At last, he wound up by
picturing the Carpenter, outworn and ready to die, sitting with his wife
and children around the table at their evening meal, taking the bread
and breaking it and saying: “Eat ye all of it, for this is my body
broken for you; this do in remembrance of me, for I have worn out my
life for your sakes.” Whereon, his wife poured out the tea, and said:
“If the bread is your body broken for us, this tea is my blood shed for
you; drink ye all of it in remembrance of me, as I have spent my life in
toiling for you.”
Being able to stand it no longer, I turned to the ladies behind us and
said aloud: “Who is this blasphemer that you have set up to speak to the
people? He is simply belching out Infidelity, and setting man against
man. This is a black disgrace to you all!” He paused a moment, and then
said: “I wish this Congregation to understand that, in what I have just
said about the Carpenter and his bread, I throw no slight on the name or
memory of one who thus parted from his followers long ago”—and thereon
he resumed his seat, having spoken for nearly the whole hour. Reply was
impossible for lack of time, and my expected Address was crushed aside.
But, ere I left the Platform, I uttered a few burning words, and the
whole audience seemed to go with me. I denounced all setting of the poor
against the rich, as alien to the spirit of Jesus. I branded as an
insult to the Divine Saviour of the world the blasphemer’s parody of the
Lord’s Supper, to which we had been treated. I warned these Temperance
workers that, in bringing such a teacher of Abstinence before the
people, they were degrading the cause which they desired to promote. And
finally, I summoned them to remember that we must all appear before the
Judgment Seat of Christ, and implored them, and Dr. Blank amongst the
rest, to seek pardon and acceptance at the feet of Jesus now, that they
might find their Judge was also their Saviour in the last awful day! A
hasty Benediction was pronounced, at the Chairwoman’s request. I hurried
from the Church, greatly shocked, but encouraged by the handshake and
the “God bless you!” of many whom I passed. There was one small
consolation which I unfeignedly enjoyed—the fiddling ladies had no
opportunity of displaying their skill on that Lord’s Day!
While I was in America many minds were being troubled with ideas
regarding what is styled the “Second Probation.” At one of his famous
Monday Lectures, Dr. Joseph Cook put to me, on the Platform, the
following amongst other questions: “How would Missionaries, teaching the
Second Probation, succeed with the Cannibals on your Island?” My reply
was: “How can they succeed on such terms anywhere? Our Cannibals would
say,—If we have a second chance hereafter, let us enjoy our present
pleasures and risk the future!” Again he asked: “How would Missionaries
holding that doctrine, but promising not to teach it, succeed amongst
them?” I replied: “Hypocrites are a poor set everywhere, but especially
in the Mission Field. How could a man succeed in teaching what he did
not believe? Cannibals, like Children, are quick to discern insincerity;
and such a man could do no good, but only evil amongst them.” Joseph
Cook and his like-minded wife appeared to be noble instruments in the
hand of God, for the defence of truth and righteousness.
During this supplementary series of Meetings I happened to reach Chicago
during the Great Exhibition. Dr. Macpherson greatly helped me, and
arranged all my work. The City was crowded with visitors from all the
World. There were many things in the Big Show that one would have liked
to see; but when I learned how its Directors, in violation of their
agreement with the Government, opened it on Sabbath, and turned the
Lord’s Day into a Saturnalia of sports and amusements, I positively
declined to enter within its gates. They made a huge noise about
accommodating the working men, but they really sought mere selfish
gains. They filled the streets with advertising cars, with flags flying
from each, announcing their theatres and shows, desecrating the Holy
Day. Thank God such Heaven-defying conduct was condemned from many a
Protestant Pulpit, and the Congregations warned against countenancing
such a sinful and shameful Vanity Fair!
The Directors, having secured President Cleveland to open the
Exhibition, desired him to go from Washington by special train on the
Sabbath Day. Their plan was to utilize the occasion by enormous
Excursions from all quarters on the Day of Rest. But the God-fearing
Presbyterian President went with a usual train on Saturday, took up his
residence at a Private Hotel, and showed his disapproval of their
tactics by declining their projected ovation. On Sabbath morning he
attended worship at Dr. Macpherson’s Church. A Baptismal Service was
intimated for the afternoon. The President again attended. He opened the
Exhibition officially, but left the City as privately as he had come to
it, and this rebuke was not misunderstood by the Community, and was
greatly appreciated by decided Christians, to whom the rest of the Day
of God is a Heavenly heritage for all the creatures of Earth, which no
man may lawfully alienate or impair.
To a man like myself, the results brought a certain retributive joy. The
rush of Foreigners, after the first two or three Sabbaths, was soon
over. Then it was discovered that the masses of the Working People of
Chicago absented themselves on the Lord’s Day, knowing well that it was
not for their benefit that this thing was done, but merely to coin money
out of them. Finding that, instead of a gain, the opening on the Sabbath
was a deadly loss, the Managers proposed to close it, but found
themselves tied hand and foot by their own past action at law.
Conspicuously, the City suffered through the vices and crimes thereby
fostered; and will continue to suffer; for such evil cannot be swept
away with the temporary buildings of the Exhibition. Doom seemed to
overtake the authors speedily. One of the leaders was cruelly shot; and
the gates were at last closed in silence, and apparently in shame!
Very varied were the means adopted, by interested friends, to arrest
attention on the New Hebrides, and create enthusiasm in their cause. One
very memorable occasion was at Pittsburg, where J. I. Buchanan, Esq.,
gave a great dinner, to which he invited the Owners and Editors of all
the local Newspapers, to meet the New Hebrides Missionary. After I had
addressed them, they tackled me with questions regarding the Islanders,
and on all conceivable aspects of work for Christ amongst Cannibals.
Most of them got deeply interested; and, next day, the whole Press of
the City was full of the Mission, and of the reasons for our seeking the
Prohibition of Fire-Arms and Intoxicants as articles of trade amongst
the Natives.
I had now visited the leading Towns in all the Northern States, and not
a few on the borders of some of the Southern States, being everywhere
received by Ministers and People with exceeding kindness and exceptional
liberality. My next anxiety was to be present at the Assembly of the
Canadian Presbyterian Church, and I therefore decided to leave the work
undone, which was daily being pressed upon me throughout the States, and
to hasten thither. This was surely of God’s guidance; at least I
reverently think so; for I reached the Assembly Hall, all unknown to
myself, on the night of their Foreign Mission Report; and the first
thing I heard was an “Overture” from Nova Scotia, urging the Assembly to
hand over their three Missionaries on the New Hebrides to the Australian
Churches, which were now “both able and willing to support them”!
The Assembly received me very cordially. The Moderator invited me to
speak immediately after the Overture had been presented. I conveyed to
them the greetings of our Church, and of our Synod on the Islands, and
reported in general terms on the Home and Foreign Missions in
Australasia. Then I turned to the Moderator, and asked on whose
authority it was declared that the Australian Churches were both able
and willing to take over the Nova Scotian Mission on the New Hebrides,
with its annual cost of about £1300. The question was put to the
Assembly. There was a significant silence for several moments, and then
some one feebly replied: “On Dr. Geddie’s.” I retorted, that surely the
author of the Overture was ashamed of it, when he sought to palm it on
the honored father of our Mission, now many years resting in his grave!
I demonstrated, by irrefragable facts and figures, that the Australian
Churches were in no position to undertake this additional expense; and,
further, I insisted that to give up this specially-honored Mission would
be one of the greatest losses to the spiritual life of their own
Congregations and Sabbath Schools. It was the Mother of all their
Missions! It was the Mission which had awakened in them all the
Missionary spirit they now possessed!
The Moderator emphatically protested, from the Chair, that he hoped the
General Assembly “would hear no more of such a proposal.” Yet the
agitation is carried on, from what creditable motive it is very hard to
see. The Editor of their _Mission Record_, with a few men of similar
spirit at his back, seems to have determined to cut the connection
betwixt Nova Scotia and the New Hebrides, and to close by violence one
of the noblest chapters in that Church’s history. They have written to
the Australian Churches on the matter, and I venture to predict that
their answers will be more emphatic than even my instantaneous protest.
The nobler spirits in Nova Scotia ought to squelch out this miserable
agitation, which is killing the Missionary enthusiasm and curtailing the
liberality of their Church.
Surrounded by a multitude of devoted Ministers and Elders, I agreed to
remain two months in Canada, and address as many Meetings every day of
the week as could possibly be crowded into time and space. To relieve
the pressure on Mission Funds in Nova Scotia, I offered to give up
twenty days entirely to them, with all the proceeds from every Meeting.
They received, I understand, above £500; and I trust that by my
Addresses, one at least every day and four or five every Sabbath, all
the Funds of all these Congregations prospered and continue to prosper;
for I humbly and gratefully recognize the fact that God has used me not
for one Mission but for all Missions, and not through one Church but
through all His Churches.
The series of Meetings, up to Quebec, was mapped out at the Assembly,
and the whole of the arrangements were entrusted to the Rev. J. W.
Mitchell of Thorold, a man of deep devotion and of untiring zeal. Our
Treasurer was A. K. Macdonald, Esq., Toronto, to whose kindness also we
were profoundly indebted. Countless applications poured in upon us. It
was no uncommon thing to address two or even three Meetings daily, and
to travel long distances between them by conveyance and rail. On Sunday
we delivered never less than three Addresses, but more frequently five,
and sometimes even seven, including the Bible Classes and Sabbath
Schools. It was dreadfully exhausting work. Sometimes I hesitated,
fearing every day would be my last. But again my vigor returned, and my
heart hungered to overtake all that I possibly could, knowing that the
time was short. Besides, in this tour as always, the getting of
Collections, however anxiously desired for our Mission, was never my
primary aim; but always the saving of souls, by the story of the New
Hebrides. For that cause I would gladly die. But I did not die; and
there was given a new illustration of the meaning of that inspired
saying—“The joy of the Lord is your strength”—the work, which is our
_joy_, uplifts rather than oppresses us!
The incidents of these journeys would fill a goodly volume. But I had
neither the leisure nor the inclination to record them day by day. One
or two specially impressed themselves on my memory, however, and may
here be glanced at.
On one occasion, after a long Railway ride, I found myself set down on
the wrong side of a flooded River, the bridge having been swept away.
The Station-Master pointed us to a boat, kept by a farmer, which, if we
reached, might ferry us over. But two huge fields betwixt us and the
spot were flooded with the overflow, and these had to be crossed. A
young lady, a gentleman, and I, all equally eager to get to the other
side, resolved to try. We waded to the Boat-Landing, and reached it in a
very bedraggled state. There the boat had been left, awaiting some one’s
return, but the farmer was across the River. None of us felt very brave
about the experiment of rowing across the racing current! Our fellow
traveller, nevertheless, resolved to try. Minimizing my warning about
rowing a long way up in the quieter water, and then slanting across with
the sweep of the current, he went up only a little, and quickly plunged
in. His boat was whirled away like a cork. We held our breath, while the
young farmer on the opposite bank kept shouting and gesticulating,
running down the River, and guiding the rower as best he could. It was
with a sigh of thankful relief that we saw the traveller stand up at
last on the farther side, safe but badly shaken.
The farmer now took the oars in hand, and with his great strength and
greater skill ferried first one and then the other across in safety, but
not without peril. In a high light cart he mounted us and bore us
securely across another field, through three feet of water if not more,
and planted us gladly at his fireside. There the lady waited, that her
dripping clothes might be dried, and the other traveller found his way
to his desired haven. But, the hour of my Meeting having already
arrived, I hastened to address them, with clothes soaked through and
through, and was immediately thereafter driven to another town at a
distance of several miles. Without any opportunity of proper
refreshment, or of getting clothes dried or changed, I spoke for an hour
and a half to a large Public Meeting there, and then retired for the
night. My clothes were hung up to dry. I had to start by train very
early next morning. When I dressed, the damp of yesterday’s drenching
still hung about them, and made me shiver. For two days my bones and
muscles felt very sore, and the dread of severe rheumatic fever hung
over me. But I sustained myself with the assurance that the Great
Physician would take care of me, since none of this had been brought on
by selfish pleasure, or self-willed obstinacy, but in devotion to His
Will and in doing His work. I suffered no further harm, and carried
through all the Meetings, praising Jesus my Saviour.
On another occasion I was for a time seriously perplexed. A kind
Minister drove me, after conducting several Meetings under his charge,
to join the Night Train at a lonely crossing. Arrangements had been made
at Headquarters to set me down, pick me up, and set me down again at
such places, in order to reach certain Meetings, and thence go on my way
to others, with the least possible loss of time. Being duly despatched
by my friend, I was set down, in the darkness, at such a crossing, where
was neither sight of any house, nor sound of any human being. The Guard,
in manifest pity, exclaimed, “I don’t know, sir, what you can do here! I
am extremely sorry to leave you. But, for God’s sake, keep off the line.
The Express follows. The rails are wet, and you might never hear her!
Some one will surely meet you. Goodbye!”
His Train soon disappeared into the darkness. I tried to rest, sitting
on my travelling bag, but it was too cold, and rain began to fall.
Marching about to keep up the circulation, I kept hallooing as loudly as
I could every few moments, but no sound came in reply. Worn out and
greatly disheartened, I at last put both hands to my mouth and began the
Australian _Koo-ee! Koo-ee!_ and sustained it with all the breath and
strength I possessed. By-and-bye, in the pauses, I heard a faint and far
reply, like the echo of my own voice. It drew nearer and nearer in
response to my cry, and at last grew into the salutation of a glad human
voice. It was the Minister, appointed to meet me, who now emerged out of
the darkness. There were two crossings in the district, and they had
left me at the wrong one! He had tied his horse to the fence, and
followed my cries through the night. We stumbled our way back, and were
ere long welcomed to his cozy Manse; and I tucked myself into a warm bed
as soon as possible. Not without praising our Heavenly Guide, I soon
fell into a deep and sweet sleep, and felt able next Sabbath morning for
any amount of Meetings. The Holy Day proved to be exceptionally busy,
and exceptionally happy; for I was with a good and true Minister of
Jesus Christ, and that transforms all work into joyful fellowship.
Once the shaft of our engine broke, and the train stood still. The Guard
advised all the passengers to leave and take to the fields across the
fence. I decided to stick by the train. A messenger started on the rails
behind and another in front, and each ran with all his might, waving the
red flag and shouting. But the Engineers never lost their heads for a
moment. They screwed and hammered and chiselled; they unloosed one part
and pitched it up among the coals; they fixed and adjusted another, in
the most mysterious ways, as it seemed to me. And in a very short time,
to the delight and amazement of all, that train began to move slowly
ahead, and crept on steadily to the nearest Station, one side of the
engine only being in working order. The alarm of all was very great, as
an Express was due behind us and might any moment have crashed upon the
scene. “Our Father knoweth.”
At another time I was travelling, by rail, a great distance to address a
Mid-Day Meeting. Only one hour was free, and then I must join another
train. Two or three Stations before reaching the former destination, a
gentleman surprised me, exclaiming, “Dr. Paton, here is your Lunch! You
will not have a minute for food either before or after the Meeting.
Leave the jug and plates at any Station, and they will be returned.
Goodbye and God bless you!” I looked on this excellent meal with very
curious sensations, as if it had dropped to me out of the Hand that
feeds the ravens; and I prayed my Saviour to bless the good-hearted
giver.
I may here record that this period of my life was fuller of constant
stir and excitement, rushing from Meeting to Meeting, and from Town to
Town, than any other through which, heretofore, I had ever passed,
without one single day of rest, or almost an hour of breathing space. I
do not think it is exaggeration to say that, on an average, during these
months, I must have addressed ten Meetings on the ordinary days of the
week and five every Sunday. I certainly know that, during many special
weeks, the numbers far exceeded these. Blessed be God, who so
marvellously sustained me through it all. When my throat got a little
husky, my only medicine was a sip of pure Glycerine, a little bottle of
which I always carried with me. My daily diet was always, by choice, the
simplest and homeliest food which I could obtain—a plate of porridge
with milk, a cup of tea with bread and butter, and a very moderate
amount of flesh meat of any kind, often for days together none at all.
And my only stimulant was—the ever-springing fountain of pure joy in the
work of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
One thing was at first a great worry to me, but at length solved itself
very happily. I cannot, with any conscience, use cars, cabs, trains, or
steamboats on the Lord’s Day, except under such an emergency of
“necessity or mercy,” that my Lord, if He met me on the way, would
declare me “blameless.” On beginning in America, it was enforced on me
from every quarter that I must use these conveyances on the Sabbath,
owing to enormous distances, or find my mission an utter failure. My one
answer was: “No working man or woman shall ever accuse me at the Bar of
God for needlessly depriving them of their Day of Rest, and imperilling
or destroying their highest welfare.” Shoulders were shrugged knowingly,
heads shaken rather pityingly, and gentle appeals made to yield for the
sake of the higher interests of the Mission. But I held my ground
unfalteringly. It became known that I would not use such conveyances,
and that I sturdily trudged from Meeting to Meeting on foot, all through
the Lord’s day. Immediately the private carriages of friends of Jesus
and His Mission were placed largely at our disposal; and, in all cases,
I pled for such arrangements as gave the horse its rest, and the man his
opportunity of worship. Whensoever I was necessitated to hire for the
Lord’s Day, it was invariably so planned that not only was proper food
duly provided for man and beast, but the driver was invited and
encouraged to join the Service of the House of God. I pray my Lord to
accept my lifelong testimony and practice on this supremely important
matter, and to use it for the preservation of the blessed Day of Rest as
the inalienable heritage of all His toiling creatures,—next to the gift
of His own Son, one of the most priceless of all His boons to the Human
Race!
[Illustration:
HEATHEN NATIVES OF AMBRIM.
Heads and faces of women are covered with lime as sign of mourning.
]
[Illustration:
MEMORIALS OF THE DEAD, AMBRIM.
Stone Altar in front is one on which pigs are killed.
]
The time had come that I must say farewell to Canada and the States. It
was the first time I had ever seen these new and marvellous Lands. My
soul was not unaware of their beauties, nor unresponsive to their
grandeur of scenery. But my whole time and strength were otherwise
required; and I turned not aside from the call of my Lord. He knows that
my heart rejoices in all the wonders of His Power, not the less that I
spend myself in proclaiming the greater wonders of His Grace. All my
recollections of intercourse with the Ministers and the People of the
New World are abidingly sweet, and move me to bless the Lord for the
God-fearing, Bible-loving, and Sabbath-keeping Nations that have sprung
from our British Race. From the highest to the humblest they received me
with royal welcome, and heard me with loyal sympathy. Their help was
generous, and was gladly given. Their interest in the work of God was
genuine, and was frankly displayed. And their delight in listening to
the story of the salvation of the South Sea Cannibals, made me firm in
the assurance that they themselves already know within their own souls
the unspeakable worth of Jesus!