This is an edited version of a talk I gave at Village Church, Annandale

For some months, I’ve been researching the life of Richard Johnson, Australia’s first chaplain. This morning I want to share with you three things about Johnson’s life that especially inspire and challenge me.

In his memoirs, Johnson describes the doubts and fears he had when first approached about the chaplaincy -

On the 30th of [September, 1786] I received a letter from [a] friend informing me that a colony was going to be established in New Holland or New Zealand, and that a chaplain was wanted and he could secure me the appointment.

For several days both my sleep and appetite were taken away. The idea of leaving my parents, relations, friends, the dangers of the sea, the place to which we were going, to the very ends of the earth… Those ideas so impressed my mind with fear and terror that I almost resolved to decline the offer.

But then on the other hand, when I considered the necessity of some person going out, the prospect of being made useful in the reformation of those poor and abandoned people, the power and promises of God to protect me… These considerations removed all my fears and induced me to enter upon this hazardous expedition.

The first challenge for me is Johnson’s WILLINGNESS TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST. He knew life would be difficult in the colony, yet he came anyway. How much are we willing to suffer for Christ? What comforts would we give up? What dangers would we be prepared to face?

And so Johnson sailed with the First Fleet, and arrived in NSW in 1788. He had much to do in the new colony, but one of his more somber duties was to minister to the condemned. What did he say to these men? The following letter gives us a good idea. It was written by a young man just a few days before he was executed for stealing.

My dear and honoured mother…

Too late I regret my inattention to your admonitions… For these, and all my other transgressions, however great, I supplicate the Divine forgiveness; and encouraged by the promises of that Saviour who died for us all, I trust to receive that mercy in the world to come, which my offences have deprived me of all hope of in this.

Sincerely penitent for my sins… and firmly relying on the merits of a Blessed Redeemer, I am at perfect peace with all mankind… Commend my soul to the Divine mercy. I bid you an eternal farewell.

Your unhappy dying Son,
SAMUEL PEYTON.

Evidently Johnson shared the gospel with these poor unfortunates. And so the second challenge for me is his CONCERN FOR THE UNSAVED. He was deeply passionate about the souls of the lost, and he faithfully preached the gospel whenever he could. Do we share his concern? Is it a priority in our churches?

Johnson faced many difficulties in NSW. He finally succumbed to failing health, and returned to England in 1800. He remained a faithful Christian to the end of his days, and was always committed to the cause of world mission.

And so the third challenge for me is Johnson’s PERSEVERENCE TO THE END. I’ve seen many people make a good start in the Christian walk, only to fall away years later. It’s not always the spectacular sin that undoes us - sometimes it is just the slow and gradual hardening of the heart. The Christian faith is like a marathon, and it can be difficult to simply keep placing one foot in front of the other. Johnson never gave up, but held onto Christ to the end of his days. We will do well to follow his example.