MR. and Mrs. Paton returned to Australia late in the year of 1864, arriving at Sydney early in the new year of 1865, after what was at that time considered a fast passage of 95 days. From this time till August, 1866, Mr. Paton was engaged in making, and bringing to a successful issue, arrangements for the permanent working of the mission ship. Mr. Paton would fain have gone back to his former scenes of labor on Tanna, but it was felt by those deeply interested in the welfare of the mission that it would not be safe, at least at present, for him to do so. Eventually it was decided that Aniwa should be the future mission field of Mr. and Mrs. Paton. Aniwa was perhaps less savage than Tanna, but certainly not one whit less heathen. While staying at Aneityum, as they were en route for Aniwa, they heard that old Abraham (referred to in previous chapters), the brave participator in the dangers and trials of the Tannese Mission, had been called to his reward in the Father's house above-another trophy from this heathen mission field of the Savior's power and willingness to save to the uttermost.
God never guided Paton back to Tanna; but for the next 15 years he labored earnestly, lovingly, and, praise God, successfully, for the souls of the Aniwans. Yet, in the good providence of God, Tanna was not lost sight of. Paton labored, and others to-day are reaping the fruits of his labors. No time was lost in erecting their dwelling-house, mission house, and other needed buildings. Infanticide and wife murder were crimes that were practiced and indulged in by the heathens of Aniwa; and yet, such has been the power of the Spirit of Him who has declared Himself the "mighty to save," that Paton had not only the joy of seeing these poor benighted heathen forsake their detestable and cruel practices, but had the gratification of receiving them as humble communicants at the Lord's Table.
One of the greatest blows given to heathenism in Aniwa was accomplished by an over-ruling Providence. Owing to the scarcity and the difficulty experienced in obtaining pure water, independent of the rainy season, the water used by the natives was of a very unwholesome nature. Sympathizing with them most fully upon this question, Paton resolved upon devising some method whereby fresh water could be obtained. At last he hit upon the expedient of sinking a well, much to the astonishment of the incredulous natives, who could quite understand water coming in the rainy season from above, but viewed with much prejudice and great incredulity the idea of fresh water coming up from below. After great opposition and no little fear on the part of the natives, Pawn brought his enterprise to a successful issue. When at last the living water was seen bubbling up from the bottom of the well, the astonishment displayed by the excited natives passes comprehension. Although for the time being they were greatly mystified as to the appearance of the water, yet eventually none more than themselves rejoiced in this Heaven-sent boon.
But the consequences arising from the sinking of this well were blessed not only to the physical benefit, but also spiritual edification of the natives. God spoke to them through this interposition of His providence, with a voice that awoke in their slumbering hearts a desire to know more and more of the Giver of this water. In a very few days a practical manifestation of this desire was manifested in their gathering together their gods of wood and stone, amid tears and sobs and shouts. The number of idols was so great, that a difficulty arose as to how they should be disposed of. Some were burned, some buried, some cast into the sea, till eventually none were left to tell the tale of what had so long held these people in the bonds of error and superstition. From that day heathenism in Aniwa was practically extinguished, heathen worship abolished and forsaken. Now it was that they listened with an ever-increasing interest to the old old story of Jesus and His love. This change was manifested by their conduct. No longer naked, but clothed, always ready to seek counsel of those who were instructing them in the divine life, asking God's blessing ere partaking of their food—a form (although a crude and rude one), of family worship. These things were indeed evidences that the Holy Spirit was indeed applying His teaching with power to their hearts. In a very short time (so great, was this marvelous spread of gracious influences), it could be truthfully asserted that every person on Aniwa had become an avowed worshipper of the true and living God.
One can well imagine how all this must have cheered the heart and uplifted the soul of noble Paton. His faith in his Lord and Master was indeed being honored. Here, surely, the prayers of those godly parents in the far-away Scottish home are being answered in full measure-pressed down and running over. But looking away from man's work, and all human agency, we would say with sincere earnestness and heartfelt devoutness, "Not unto us, O Lord; not unto us, but unto Thy name be all the praise.”
After much labor and anxiety, Paton succeeded in producing the first Aniwan hymn book. Although the press used was in many respects sadly deficient, yet it was designed by God to be used as an instrument in doing a goodly work amongst this hitherto neglected people. When the object of its production was explained to the natives, it was hailed by them with unbounded delight, and in course of time it was utilized to their instruction and edification. Next to the Bible itself, music was greatly blessed by God in aiding the efforts of Paton to instill the truths of the gospel into the minds of the natives. One writer has said: "Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast." Ay, true; but in the case before us much more than this was accomplished. By the aid of music and the singing of the Gospel by Mrs. Paton, many of these natives were led to trust Jesus as their Savior. In the public service, in the family, in the church, Mrs. Paton was enabled to use the gift given her by God to the well-being of the souls by whom she was surrounded. Many, we doubt not, who are now joining in the song of the redeemed in the Better Land, learned their first note of praise in that little heathen island of Aniwa.
So greatly had the work increased that it now became not only essential, but really necessary that a new place of worship should be erected. The chiefs and great men, the women and children, all contributed their quota by labor and otherwise, in building their house of prayer. At last, after weeks of toil and united labor, the top-stone was brought on with rejoicing, even the bell (the gift of a dear friend of Paton), not being forgotten. One of the most interesting and affecting incidents connected with this new house of prayer is their first communion. We will give a few extracts of Paton's eloquent and touching description of this solemn service. He says: “It was Sabbath, 24th October, 1869, and surely the angels of God, and the Church of the redeemed in glory, were amongst the great cloud of witnesses,' who eagerly ' peered' down upon the scene ... The whole service occupied nearly three hours. The Islanders looked on with a wonder, whose unwonted silence was almost painful to bear. For the first time the Dorcas Street Sabbath School Teachers' gift from the South Melbourne Presbyterian Church was put to use—a new communion service of silver. They gave it in faith that we would require it, and in such we received it; and now the day had come and gone. For three years we had toiled and prayed and taught for this. At the moment when I had put the bread and wine into those dark hands, once stained with the blood of cannibalism, but now stretched out to receive and partake the emblems and seals of a Redeemer's love, I had the foretaste of the joy of glory that well-nigh broke my heart in pieces. I shall never taste a deeper bliss till I gaze on the glorified face of Jesus Himself.”
The school scheme grew apace, and in an incredibly short space of time every village on the Island had its own school, which on the Lord's day was utilized for public worship, Mrs. Paton having under her own tuition a class of 50 women and girls; and it was an unbroken rule that the schools should be always opened and closed with prayer. How wonderfully the gospel of Christ had transformed these natives I Only three years previously and they delighted in their nakedness and savagery; now they were happily engaged in making various garments wherein they might be clothed. As their knowledge of divine things increased their heathen abominations disappeared, and a new order of things was brought into being around them.
Thus day by day and year by year is the renewed life of these converted Islanders promoted and sanctified. On every hand is seen the results of the sacrificing labors of these missionaries of the Cross. Aniwa was now won for Christ. The workers had sown in tears; now they were enabled to reap with rejoicing and thanksgiving. "The little one had become a thousand, and the small one a great nation.”