Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-04-05
MISSIONARY PATTON WAS HERE.
Told of His Experiences in Establishing
the Gospel in the New Hebrides.

Told of His Experiences in Establishing
the Gospel in the New Hebrides.
The Rev. DR.. John q. Patton, the
world-famed missionary to the New
Hebrides, charmed a large audience in
Hanover fresby yfsian Church Monday
evening with recital of some of his
experiences. He had passed through
hair-breadth escapes, the story Of which
thrilled his listeners, aud showed them
how real must be his faith that God
was with him in all his labois. His
full confidence in the Bible and his
faith in God we've most fervently
avowed. DR.. Patton is new 81 gears old.
His hair and beard are silvery white.
He spoke here under the auspices Of
the Wilmington Bible Union. Others
on the platform were Thomas McCorkle,
president Of the union the Rev. W. l..
PeJtingill, teacher oi the local union
Bible class, and the Revs. f. Cornwell
Jennings, f. F. Briggs and W. L. s.
Murray. Mr.. Pettingill welcomed and
introduced DR.. Patton.
The missionary told of his going to
the South Sea Islands ~ years ago,
when they were inhabited by naked
savages, whose state of civilization was
very low. In the past 90 years.. through
the efforts of the missionaries, they
have left off their heathenish habits
and $4,000 Of them are Christians. On
one island, $500 have embraced the
Gospel and have paid for printing the
bible, the Pilgrims Progress, the
Shorter Catechism and a primer, in
their native tongue. They have also
built two large churches.
DIR. Patton told of the efforts OF the
savages to kill him and his assistants.
On one occasion he and an assistant
were attacked and when the savages
were striking at him his two little dogs
few in their faces and forced them
away. A sick man to whom he was
administering held knife almost to
did not. His chapel was set on fire
and other inmates of the house, but
their hands were stayed in miraculous
manner.
Forced to leave the islands, DIR.
Patton organized another party and re.
turned and the saVages, impressed by
his heroism and faith, began to take
an interest in his work and IS, 200 Of
them have embraced the Gospel.
They are strict in their Christian
duties. They keep the Sabbath day.
They attend church faithfully. They
have family prayers.
DIR. Patton touched upon the new
sphere of the United States through its
possession of the Philippines. He be-
lieved the God of Battles was with
this country. lie hoped the islands
would be held" until they are fitted for
self-government and all have an oppor-
tunity to worship God according to the
dictates of their own conscience. He
hoped this country would become a
great colonizing power and that the
Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack
will be bound together by the strongest
ties. "Then,'' he said, "tbey could
dictate peace 10 all the world. This
would be great confederation for the
good of mankind. l trust it will
come. -
In conclusion, he said Great Britain
had prohibited her traders in the South
seas from providing people of the
gunpowder and dynamite. He wants to
get the United States to do the same
thing, as much harm results through
the disposal of these articles to the
natives by American traders. He made
plea for the leople to send petition
in this cause to Gov. Tunnel and Presi-
dent Mckinley, ''and," he said, "at
least wash your hads of the resposibility
foI murder in the South Sea Islands.
l intend to see the President in two
weeks. and l hope your petition to him
may strengthen my position.