First Signs of the Transformation of Cannibals into Christians

The story of John G. Paton’s ministry among the cannibal tribes of the South Sea Islands is one of the most inspiring that I have heard in all of Christian history. (So much so that we just gave our newborn son the middle name Paton). Not only is it a story of bravery, perseverance, and sacrifice in obedience to Christ, but it is a story of victory. We see a vivid example of how the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church, as sometimes even the very men who had killed missionaries were eventually converted to serve the God they had once hated.

In his autobiography, Paton gives an interesting account of the impact that Christianity had on the island of Aniwa, in what is now the country of Vanuatu. He saw clear visible evidences that the heathen were being transformed by Christ. I present his account, with the addition of a few headings and comments of my own.

1. Prayer Before Meals

“One of the very first steps in Christian discipline to which they readily and almost unanimously took was the asking of God’s blessing on every meal and praising the great Jehovah for their daily bread. Whosoever did not do so was regarded as a Heathen.”

2. Family Worship

“The next step, and it was taken in a manner as if by some common consent that was not less surprising than joyful, was a form of Family Worship every morning and evening. Doubtless the prayers were often very queer, and mixed up with many remaining superstitions; but they were prayers to the great Jehovah, the compassionate Father, the Invisible One—no longer to gods of stone!”

“Necessarily these were the conspicuous features of our life as Christians in their midst—morning and evening Family Prayer, and Grace at Meat; and hence, most naturally, their instinctive adoption and imitation of the same as the first outward tokens of Christian discipline. Every house in which there was not Prayer to God in the family was known thereby to be Heathen. This was a direct and practical evidence of the New Religion; and, so far as it goes (and that is very far indeed, where there is any sincerity beneath it), the test was one about which there could be no mistake on either side.”

3. Keeping the Sabbath

“A third conspicuous feature stood out distinctly and at once,—the change as to the Lord’s Day. Village after village followed in this also the example of the Mission House. All ordinary occupation ceased. Sabbath was spoken of as the Day for Jehovah. Saturday came to be called ‘Cooking Day,’ referring to the extra preparations for the coming day of rest and worship. They believed that it was Jehovah’s will to keep the first day holy. The reverse was a distinctive mark of Heathenism.”

4. Education

“The first traces of a new Social Order began to rise visibly on the delighted eye. The whole inhabitants, young and old, now attended School,—three generations sometimes at the one copy or A B C book!”
An increase in education has been a major landmark of the progress of Christianity – particularly since the Reformation. Christians understand the need for everyone to have a basic education so that they can read the word of God themselves. The near universal basic literacy that we see today is a mark of the spread of the gospel and its effect on society.

5. Constraint of Sin by Just Laws

“Thefts, quarrels, crimes, etc., were settled now, not by club law, but by fine or bonds or lash, as agreed upon by the Chiefs and their people. Everything was rapidly and surely becoming ‘New’ under the influence of the leaven of Jesus. Industry increased. Huts and plantations were safe. Formerly every man, in traveling, carried with him all his valuables; now they were secure, left at home. Even a brood of fowls or a litter of pigs would be carried in bags on their person in Heathen days. Hence at Church we had sometimes lively episodes, the chirruping of chicks, the squealing of piggies, and the barking of puppies, one gaily responding to the other, as we sang, or prayed, or preached the Gospel!”

“The natives, finding this state of matters troublesome to themselves and disagreeable all round, called a General Assembly, unanimously condemned dishonesty, agreed upon severe fines and punishments for every act of theft, and covenanted to stand by each other in putting it down. The chiefs, however found this a long and difficult task, but they held at it under the inspiration of the gospel and prevailed. Even the trials and difficulties with which they met were overruled by God, in assisting them to form by the light of their own experience a simple code of Social Laws, fitted to repress the crimes there prevailing, and to encourage the virtues specially needing to be cultivated there.”

“Heathen Worship was gradually extinguished; and, though no one was compelled to come to Church, every person on Aniwa, without exception, became ere many years an avowed worshipper of Jehovah God. Again, ‘O Galilean, Thou hast conquered!’”

Quotes from The Story of John G. Paton Told for Young Folks, or, Thirty Years Among the South Sea Cannibals by John G. Paton, edt. James Paton (New York: American Tract Society, 1896), p. 311-313.