3.22.2006

eaten by cannibals



In 1852, a man by the name John Paton left his comforts at home in Scotland to go to little Pacific islands called New Hebrides. (Named after islands off the coast of Scotland.) When he was leaving his congregation a dear old friend (and supporter of Paton) came to him and said... (and exploded with great passion and love for Paton).

"The cannibals! You will be eaten by cannibals!"
[missionaries sent there 19 years earlier suffered this death.]

But to this Paton responded:

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 rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer."


What is the Difference between being eaten by Cannibals and eaten by worms? The manner by which we are judged is how have we lived for God's glory? Patons answer reveals his purpose for going to the Pacific.

How we die glorifies God. Who ever thought that Cannibalism would?

1 comments:

A said...

That has been one of my favorite quotes of all time since I heard it in one of Pastor York's sermons. However, you have dated Paton in the wrong century. I think you meant to place him in the 1850s, not the 1950s. Would that I have the boldness of John Paton! And by God's grace I will!