A significant occasion at the Presbyterian Theological College (PTC) saw the unveiling of Tom Roberts’ historic portrait of the Rev Dr John Gibson Paton (1824–1907), the Scottish Presbyterian missionary to the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu).
Freshly restored, the painting has returned to the Presbyterian Church of Victoria after many years. It once hung on the top-floor landing of Assembly Hall, before passing into the care of the Uniting Church. It has now found a new home at PTC.
The occasion was marked by addresses from Jared Hood and Phil Mercer, a fascinating glimpse into Paton’s compassion for Indigenous Australians from Stuart Bonnington, and a moving personal testimony from Paton’s great-granddaughter, Helen Gillan.
We see this portrait as a testimony to God’s faithfulness in raising up servants for the work of the gospel, and as a reminder to all who teach and learn at PTC that God advances his gospel through ordinary servants, sustained by extraordinary grace.
Rev Dr John Wilson, Moderator