
audiobook
The memoir opens with a vivid portrait of a modest Scottish upbringing, where family faith and the rhythms of rural life shape a young man’s character. He moves from schoolyard lessons to the bustling streets of Glasgow, finding his calling amid the city’s poorest quarters and learning firsthand the harsh realities of urban poverty. These early experiences forge a deep compassion that drives him toward missionary work.
Leaving the familiar lanes of his homeland, he sets sail for the remote New Hebrides, confronting a world of unfamiliar customs, language barriers, and fierce resistance. The narrative captures his initial encounters with island communities, the daunting task of building trust, and the personal trials that test his resolve. Through perseverance and sincere love for the people he serves, he begins to glimpse the transformative power of faith in a place far from home.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (520K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York: Flemming H. Revell Company, 1889.
Credits
Richard Tonsing, Brian Wilson, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2023-09-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1824–1907
Drawn from one of the most dramatic chapters in 19th-century missionary history, this Scottish minister spent years in the South Pacific and later became widely known for his vivid books and tireless public speaking. His life joined deep religious conviction with remarkable endurance, personal loss, and a lasting influence on Presbyterian missions.
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by John Gibson Paton