“Wait! 'tis the key of pleasure,
And to the plan of God;
Oh, tarry thou His leisure,
Thy soul shall bear no load.
Wait for the day is hasting
When life shall be made clear;
And all that know heart's wasting
Shall feel that God is near.”
ALL things come to him who waits." After years of anxious waiting, watching, and praying, the cry from the South Seas of "Come over and help us!" found a willing and cheerful response in the heart of J. G. Paton. The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church having failed, both by advertising and casting lots, to obtain a suitable candidate for the New Hebrides mission field, Paton offered himself and was accepted. Although this long looked-for opportunity to enter upon the work which had so long lain upon his heart had at last arrived, it was not without much prayer and self-examination that he came to this decision. Feeling that his medical studies, as well as his literary and divinity training, had in some measure qualified him to labor in the foreign field, he began to turn over the pros and cons of the matter in his mind. In addition to all this, after much meditation and prayer, he felt that deep down in his own heart the voice of the living God was calling him to action. He could not, he durst not longer tarry. "Here am I, send me," was the answer to the divine call.
The next twelve months were spent by Paton in preparing in various ways for his future service. In the language of Job, Paton might well have said: "Save me from my friends;" for, no sooner was it known that he intended entering the missionary field than a hundred and one objections were raised against the undertaking. His health, safety, present usefulness, future trials and dangers, were all hurled at his devoted head (in some cases almost as anathemas) as reasons why he should stay where he was. One of the most amusing objections had better, perhaps, be given in his own words. Says Paton: "Amongst many who sought to deter me was one dear old Christian gentleman, whose crowning argument always was, The cannibals! you will be eaten by cannibals.”
That Paton had a vein of humor somewhere in that mortal frame of his is evidenced by his characteristic reply to the dear old soul, who seemed so extremely solicitous as to his safety.
“Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms. I confess to you that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms; and in the great day, my resurrection body will arise fair as yours, in the likeness of our risen Redeemer.”
It is almost needless to add that this gave the old gentleman his quietus.
On encountering so many objections to his plan, it was only natural that Paton should once again consult his beloved parents. Their reply was in keeping with their life of prayer and purpose. No objection was raised by them; on the contrary, not only their cheerful acquiescence to the scheme, but their heart-felt prayers that God would accept, long spare, and abundantly bless the labors of their first-born.
At last his prayers were answered; at last his heart's desire was granted; at last the ambition of his life was to be realized. This is the joy that springs from unshaken confidence and unwavering faith in Jehovah. Go forth thou chosen of the Lord, sanctified to thy work with a parent's prayers and blessing. Baptized with a mighty faith, and enriched with the Holy Ghost, thousands obeying the call of your great Master's voice in yonder mission field, shall be raised up as spiritual children to call you blessed.
One other commendable trait in the character of our hero deserves mention ere closing this short chapter. We refer to his intense thoughtfulness, his large-hearted remembrances for "the old folks at home." No cloud must be left to darken their horizon, as far as human help can avert it; so, loving hearts and willing hands blend in unison to lighten the burden in the old homestead. The family cow is purchased, the house rent paid, the school fees and clothing for the younger ones found All this, and much more, was done by Paton himself for a time, afterward the work of beneficence was taken up by the others. One of the greatest joys of Paton's life was experienced in knowing that, through the kindness of their loving children, the dear father and mother would be secured from want for the remainder of their days. Happy parents! Happy children!