The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-04


Christianity in these islands, is in the
city and yesterday spoke in the morn
ing in the First Presbyterian church
and in the evening In the Second
church. p
Saturday evening he addressed the
Woman's Foreign Missionary society
OF the First church. He was intro
duced by Mrs. c. 8. Weston in eI-
Quisite fashion, with the earnestness
and sincerity OF one who had read
and studied the sacrifices and labors
of DR.. Paton's life.
The distinguished missionary spoke
Of his work among the cannibals and
told OF his sons almost miraculous
escape from death after a chieftain
had given UP his life to save the
missionary. At the close OF the in
formal service pleasant social hour
was enjoyed, when refreshments were
served by a committee.
The First Presbyterian church was
filled with a large congregation yes
terday morning to hear the aged mis-
sionary. Rev. DR.. Mcleod In introduce
ing him said:
1T have gladly welcomed many good
men to my pulpit. but never in all my
ministry 50 gladly as this one whom
1 present today"
CALL OF THE APOSTLES.
DR.. Patton speaks with a Scotch burr.
pleasant to hear, and with a simplicity
and consciousness of the truth OF his
belief which made men and women
better for the listening. He spoke
from Matthew 2S, 1920, embodying the
call OF the apostles to go and teach
all nations.
The address held az It's strong basis
the thought OF the unswerving au-
thenticity and truth OF the entire
Bible. He told of his first visit to the
New Hebrides, after five missionaries
had been killed and eaten and OF his
loathing and horror Of the degraded
condition OF the natives. There are
thirty islands on which at that time
were 10000 cannibals OF the lowest
possible type. They could not speak
the language OF the missionaries and
the latter knew not q word OF the
native tongue.
The latter must be the learners, be-
fore they could teach. After the mis-
sionaries had accomplished some work
and had translated a portion OF the
Scriptures, the natives were told that
they must pay the cost of printing a
whole Bible in their language. They
said, I'VE are SO poor how can we?
All We have are few cocoanuts,
bananas and yams?" But they were
taught TO cultivate arrow root, and In
thirteen long years were able to send
1900 pounds sterling to have Bibles OF
their own.
The utter devotion of the converts
was graphically described. They are
taught so we'll and so intelligently, and
are so earnest in their religion. that
on seven islands the whole population
are living holy lives. On twenty-five
islands there are many converts There
are $4,000 converts in all.
THE BEST PROOF.
The best proof Of the absolute truth
OF the Scriptures from the first verse
Of Genesis to the last Of Revelations IA
the living evidence OF these islanders
in what has been done for them accord
ing to Gods word. DR.. Patton said:
"It grieves us to know that in our
civilized land and yours, men wise and
learned in their own estimation are un-
believers in portions Of Gods word, and
are trying to cut and carve at the ad-
vice OF the great enemy Of souls
Don't let them lead you away, you
young people: don't let any mans at.
tainments in higher criticism shape
your faith In a single word. What else
have we to believe but in the infalli-
90 to v,,c L.
Jesus at his word will life be swee,
and true"
In closing, the venerable speaker told
OF his mission to this land, and DIT
Mcleod stated that the Offering OF the
morning would be devoted to the work
In which DIR. Patton was interested
namely. to raise the debt OF 1000
pounds, which he had contracted &c
continue missionaries IN the New Heb.
rides.
DR.. Patton spoke beautifully to the
children OF the First church Sunday
school yesterday. giving what was per
haps the most interesting address OF
his visit. He showed them the idols OF
the South Sea Islanders before their
conversion, and told many fascinating
tales Of the little people in their far.
away home.
DR.. Patton In his evening sermon ir
the Second church took up in detail
the wonderful work accomplished by
himself and associates on the New He.
brides and related q number OF hi.
personal experiences and adventures
Some of the latter have been as thrill,
ing as have ever come into the lie
OF any one man, and, though the doc.
tor spoke for an hour and a half, his
listeners never tired, but listened
throughout with rapt attention.
EARLY MISSIONARIES.
He first told OF the early missionaries
sent out from England during the ear.
ly part OF the century, John Williams
Hyde and others. These men were al
killed and eaten by the cannibal tribes
which somewhat dampened tho ardol
of the missionaries and caused the
work OF converting the islands to bt
given UP for some time and IT was not
taken up again until the Scotch Pres,
byterians became interested. The mex
clergyman sent was a DIR, Geddie, from
Nova Scotia, who went with his wifi,
and who had wonderful success.
DR.. Patton himself arrived in the ear,
ly sixties in company with q Rev. DR.
Gordon and others. The work pro
gressed favorably for some time, DR.
Patton and Rev. DR., Gordon laborins
on the island Of Tanna, after having
acquired the native language.
One day DR.. Gordon was lured ava,
on the pretenSe OF being summoned tC
attend sick child and was toma
hawked as he was crossing a rud,
bridge over small stream. Hi
wife, who came looking for him a few
moments afterward, was also killed
by the natives. Several young natiy,