p. 3 | A Double Deliverance by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 11, 1909

A Double Deliverance

By W. A. S.

JOHN G. PATON and Mr. and Mrs. Mathieson were awakened one night on the island of Tanna, in the South Seas, to find the church next to their dwelling-house in flames. The crisis had come. After many a deliverance, it seemed this time they were to be slain. Armed savages were all about. Mr. Paton ran out to tear down the reed fence by which the flames were being carried swiftly toward the mission house. A shout was raised, “Kill him! kill him!” Mr. Paton told them:—

“Dare to strike me, and my Jehovah God will punish you! He protects us, and will punish you for burning his church, for hatred to his worship and people, and for all your bad conduct. We love you all; and for doing you good only you want to kill us. But our God is here now to protect us and to punish you.”

They yelled in rage, and urged each other to strike the first blow, but the Invisible One restrained them. I stood invulnerable beneath his invisible shield, and succeeded in rolling back the tide of flame from our dwelling-house.

At this dread moment occurred an incident, which my readers may explain as they like, but which I trace directly to the interposition of my God. A rushing and roaring sound came from the south, like the noise of a mighty engine or of muttering thunder. Every head was instinctively turned in that direction, and they knew, from previous hard experiences, that it was one of their awful tornadoes of wind and rain. Now, mark, the wind bore the flames away from our dwelling-place, and had it come in the opposite direction, no power on earth could have saved us from being all consumed. It made the work of destroying the church only that of a few minutes; but it brought with it a heavy and murky cloud, which poured out a perfect torrent of tropical rain. Now, mark again, the flames of the burning church were thereby cut off from extending to and seizing upon the reeds and the bush; and, besides, it had become almost impossible now to set fire to our dwelling-house. The stars in their courses were fighting against Sisera! The mighty roaring of the wind, the

black cloud pouring down unceasing torrents, and the whole surroundings, awed those savages into silence. Some began to withdraw from the scene, all lowered their weapons of war, and several, terror-struck, exclaimed, “That is Jehovah’s rain. Truly their Jehovah God is fighting for them and helping them. Let us away.”

A panic seized upon them; they threw away their remaining torches; in a few moments they had all disappeared in the bush; and I was left alone, praising God for his marvelous works. “O taste and see that God is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him!”

Next morning their enemies were jubilant, however, for it had been finally decided to kill the missionaries without further hesitation, and burn the house. Friendly natives crept in, weeping and terror-stricken. Just then a cry was raised on the beach, “Sail O!” All eyes turned, and there, sailing into the bay was the trading ship “Blue Bell.” It was time to flee from Tanna. The missionaries got aboard, thanking God again for deliverance, timed to the very moment of their extremity. In after-years John G. Paton saw all Tanna transformed from savagery by the power of the gospel. W. A. S.