John G. Paton, a devoted Scottish missionary, embarked on a challenging journey that spanned continents and decades, leaving an indelible mark on the islands of the New Hebrides. Born on May 24, 1824, in Braehead, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, Paton’s life was characterized by an unwavering commitment to spreading Christianity in the face of formidable obstacles.

In 1858, accompanied by his wife Mary, Paton arrived on the island of Tanna in the New Hebrides, where the Canadian missionary John Geddie had already been working diligently since 1846. The couple faced a daunting task as they encountered a community of cannibals enveloped in the darkest aspects of heathenism. Natives wandered in a state of nudity, and superstitions and cruelties abounded.

The Patons’ early days on Tanna were marked by both joy and tragedy. Just three months after their arrival, Mary gave birth to a son, Peter Robert Robson. However, their joy was short-lived, as both Mary and Peter succumbed to tropical fever within weeks. Paton, grief-stricken, buried his wife and child together near their house in Resolution Bay, spending his nights guarding their resting place from local cannibals.

Undeterred by adversity, Paton persevered in his missionary work despite constant hostility from the islanders. During one perilous attack, timely intervention by a passing ship spared him and fellow missionaries, the Mathiesons, allowing them to escape to Aneityum for safety.

Seeking support for the New Hebrides mission, Paton journeyed to Australia and Scotland. In Edinburgh on June 17, 1864, he married Margaret Whitecross, a descendant of the “Whitecross Knights.” Together, they worked tirelessly to raise funds for a sailing ship to aid the evangelization of the islands. Later, they secured an even larger sum to build a mission steamship.

Returning to the New Hebrides in August 1866 with his new wife, Paton established a mission station on Aniwa Island, near Tanna. The challenges mirrored those on Tanna, yet John and Maggie Paton continued their work, enduring personal losses and striving to uplift the native population. Despite the hardships, they succeeded in introducing Christianity to Aniwa, witnessing the publication of the Aniwa New Testament in 1899 and the presence of missionaries on twenty-five of the thirty New Hebrides islands.

In the twilight of their lives, Maggie Whitecross Paton passed away on May 16, 1905, at “Kennet” in Kew, Victoria, Australia. John G. Paton outlived her by nearly two years, breathing his last on January 28, 1907, in Canterbury, Victoria. The couple rests together at Boroondara Cemetery in Kew, Victoria, their dedication to the missionary cause leaving an enduring legacy. The Presbyterian Theological College in Victoria pays homage to John G. Paton, a testament to his enduring impact on the Christian mission.