PATON, Frank Hume Lyall, Rev, M.A. B.D. (1870-1938)

Person

Assembly memorial minute, 1938

Francis Hume Lyall Paton, a pastor and friend greatly beloved, passed to higher service at his home at Deepdene on September 28th, 1938, after a long illness. He was a son of the late Dr. John G. Paton, whose name was a household word throughout the whole Church in Australasia and Britain, and whose amazing work in the New Hebrides is still powerful to inspire to sacrifice, courage and achievement.

Frank Paton was a worthy son of that great man. He was born on the island of Aniwa in 1870. He received early education at the Scotch College, Melbourne, after which he proceeded to the Glasgow University, where he graduated in Arts, taking his Master’s degree in 1891. Then followed a Theological Course at Ormond College. In 1895 he gained the Bachelor of Divinity degree of St. Andrew’s University. He was ordained to the Holy Ministry in 1895. The following year he married the daughter of the late Rev. G. Heyer, and the young couple set out for the Mission Field of the New Hebrides, then so much a land of heathen savagery.

They were stationed on the island of Tanna, whence ill-health compelled his return in 1902. He was then appointed Foreign Mission Agent of the General Assembly of Australia. In 1904 he became minister of Dunolly, where he laboured for two years. In 1906 the Assembly called him to the important office of Foreign Mission Secretary, a position which he held till 1928. During this period he visited Britain and lectured for the J. G. Paton Memorial Fund.

In 1910 he visited Korea, and inaugurated great expansion work there. He again visited Korea in 1919, giving great inspiration to both missionaries and native Christians, and returning home with a clear vision of our God-given opportunities in that field. In 1917 he served as a Chaplain in the A.I.F. In 1922 he was called by the Church to the high office of Moderator, and he filled that office with distinction.

In 1925 he became minister of Deepdene, and did a remarkable work in that parish. He received and accepted an invitation to go to Britain in the interests of the Paton Memorial Fund. This was a work which would have been dear to his heart, but God had other plans in store for him. In September, 1936, he was stricken down by ill-health, and from then until his death he was a constant sufferer. He had many illnesses during his life, all borne with the fortitude and cheerfulness of faith, but none borne with more courage than his last. That sick room became the last sphere of united labour and witness for him and his devoted wife.

Mr. Paton’s life was a great life. His courage and faith never failed. "In His will is my peace” he would always say. No one ever heard a complaining word from him. One of the chief features of his work as Foreign Secretary was the Bible Study School. These schools were conducted with remarkable success in parish after parish. Ministers and people were inspired, and the Foreign Mission work of our Church was placed on true foundations—an intelligent grasp of the Divine Purpose company of people give thanks to God for the influence of Frank Paton on their lives, for, by the grace of God, his life was used to change theirs. He loved greatly, and was greatly loved. Wherever he was—in conferences, in his office, in the courts of the Church, or in the homes of his people—he lived in the Spirit of his Master. The same Spirit breathes through his writings, such as “Lomai of Lenakel, ” and “The Kingdom in the Pacific. ”

He leaves a widow and five children. His sons are Professor G. W. Paton of the Melbourne University, and the Rev. Kennedy Paton, of Woodford. His daughter Peggy (Mrs. H. Bunton), is at present on furlough in Australia from missionary work in Canton. Betty is a teacher in Hong Kong, and Frances is at the University. His brother Fred still carries on his lonely work in Malekula. Another brother, Dr. James Paton, practises in Melbourne, while the youngest, John, is on the land at Lakes Entrance. To all these the Assembly tenders its deepest sympathy.