Missionary Patriarch

Just finished the first chapter (see book links upper right). The language is old, but the story is very, very rich. Very convicting/challenging for a father.

Paton spends the majority of the chapter reviewing his family history growing up in a peasant cottage in Scotland. Specifically, he focuses closely on the relationship between his father and mother, and his father's example of piety. Paton is the oldest of 11 children raised in a three room house, and participated in the family business, and had a lot of time to know and observe his own father. He describes vividly the joyful upbringing, while certainly not rich, not having to go without. His father was first and foremost a man of prayer, retiring several times each day to a small chamber to pray for the family. Daily family worship/bible reading/prayer occured. All the children were clearly home educated. His father wanted to be a minister, but was led to a more mundane profession, and looked on his family as his flock. He had apparently a wonderful and joy filled marriage even up to old age.

Paton's love and respect for his parents and his upbringing clearly shine through in his memories. For me, it is neat to see and hear these sorts of things coming from another century and time. Times change, but people really don't. The struggles, worries, joys, and faith we experience in our lives have been experienced many times before. It is easy for me to forget that, and think of 18th century Scotland as a dull joyless existence. This book is bringing another time vividly in to focus for me.

I love biographies. Every time I read them, I wonder that I waste my time on anything else. Perhaps, I just love hearing people's "stories" We all have one, and they are all interesting. Learning the story also helps us to love the individual behind it.