Many of our readers have read of John G. Paton, the well-known missionary to the South Sea Islands. John was a Scotch lad, of humble birth, whose parents were Christians.
Every day John’s father retired to the quiet of a little mid-room where he prayed alone to God. The children would cease their noise and laughter and would go tip-toe through the house as long as theft father was in that little room. They knew the burden of his prayers was that God would bless his home and his children. Every day, morning and evening, John’s father would gather the children around to read God’s Word and then afterward the family would kneel in prayer.
The influence of that Christian home was never lost on young John. When he grew to young manhood, he left home to make his living at a place forty miles away. John’s father walked along with him the first six miles, for they loved each other. As they bade each other goodbye, John’s father said, “God bless you, my son! May your father’s God be with you and keep you from all evil”; so they parted.
For some time, John walked along; then climbing a little hill he looked back to see if his father was still watching him. At the same time his father mounted a dyke for a last glimpse at his boy, and the two waved at each other.
John walked on his way, his eyes filled with tears. Then, alone on the road, he determined that with God’s help he would live so that he would not bring dishonor to his father’s name.
John G. Paton became later on a faithful servant of Christ, and went to the South Sea Islands to carry the gospel of the grace of God to the natives. Through his ministry many of them were won for Christ. That work of God really began in that humble Scottish home where God and Christ were honored and served faithfully.
ML 03/17/1968