"You will be eaten by cannibals!" one man exclaimed when John Paton shared his plans to serve as a missionary in the South Pacific islands. Paton calmly responded, "Mr. Dickson, you are now advanced in years, and soon your body will lie in the grave, where it will be eaten by worms. However, I tell you, if I can live and die while serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms. On the Great Day, my resurrection body will arise as glorious as yours, in the likeness of our risen Redeemer."
Regarding biographies of John G. Paton, the first one published was John G. Paton Missionary to the New Hebrides. After that, his brother, James Paton, published a condensed version titled The Story of John G. Paton; Or, Thirty Years Among South Sea Cannibals. Later, in 1923, A.K. Langridge modified and republished James’s version. The book you hold combines the work of both James Paton and A.K. Langridge. The condensed sections mainly focus on Paton’s travels to raise funds. Furthermore, Langridge added several chapters toward the end, leading up to Paton’s death. These additions are also included in this volume.
