He Love Black Man All Same White Man

A selection from a letter by Maggie Paton, wife of missionary John Paton, to a friend back home in Stirling, Scotland, about some of their first impressions of the New Hebrides. The letter was written on October 17, 1865.

I remember seeing a number of Natives assembled on the deck-house one Sabbath for Service, which Mr. Paton conducted in what is here termed Sandalwood English—a sort of peculiar broken English, which traders use with the Natives all over the Islands. I was amazed to see how he had gained the attention of all, when not above two or three of them knew the same language. They were looking earnestly into his face, and evidently drinking in every word. I crept nearer, and, listening attentively, heard such sentences as the following: Jehovah very good. He love Black Man all same White Man. He send Son belonga Him. He die for all Man.

Letters and Sketches from the New Hebrides, by Maggie Whitecross Paton, printed by Reformation Heritage Books and Sprinkle Publications, 2003, pp. 6-7.

We Were Sisters

From Maggie Paton, wife of missionary to the New Hebrides, John Paton, to a friend back home in Stirling, Scotland, about the reaction of women natives on the island of Fotuna, who saw white women for the first time. The letter was written on October 17, 1865:

The ladies were, in consequence, very curious to have us examined properly; and they went about it in a business-like way, as I can testify from the pokes and thumps received. They always felt themselves at the same time, to see how far we were alike! Poor things, they had yet to learn that we were sisters, resting under the same penalty and equally in need of and entitled to the same Saviour.

Letters and Sketches from the New Hebrides, by Maggie Whitecross Paton, printed by Reformation Heritage Books and Sprinkle Publications, 2003, p. 27.

Yearning to Know

From Maggie Paton, wife of missionary to the New Hebrides, John Paton, to her sister, about caring for a sick native, November 3, 1875:

His mind was so dark, but he was yearning to know something of that world to which he was hastening, and I felt it so hard to be tongue-tied, for I can’t speak a word of Tannese… I could do little more than mention that blessed Name which is above every name, and point upward; and oh, how eagerly he would look up with his great wistful eyes, and then at me, as if he would fain drink in more!

Letters and Sketches from the New Hebrides, by Maggie Whitecross Paton, printed by Reformation Heritage Books and Sprinkle Publications, 2003, pp. 236-37.

Missionary!

From Maggie Paton, wife of missionary to the New Hebrides, John Paton, to her sister, about what a native called her husband, November 3, 1875:

We were amused at his calling him Cap’ain, evidently intending it as a great compliment to John, who would scorn to put even the title of King on a par with that of MISSIONARY!

Letters and Sketches from the New Hebrides, by Maggie Whitecross Paton, printed by Reformation Heritage Books and Sprinkle Publications, 2003, p. 237.