Back in his village, John began witnessing to his fleshly brothers, James Sopi and Drawman Alilvo, both schoolteachers, but they opposed his message. His brothers as well as others wanted to know why he had returned. He answered them directly and told them about his disappointment with the clergy. “They have lied to us all along,” he said, and he gave them examples. Remember, up to this time, John had never been taught how to give a tactful witness. One time, with ax in hand, he marched to the center of Malo village and chopped down its huge cross, dragged it along the ground, and threw it into the sea. No one dared lay a hand on him. Nevertheless, not only did his deed cost him a day in court but because he had cut down their holy symbol, religious leaders predicted that in eight days John would be struck dead.

Eight days later John was still alive. This marked the turning point for sheeplike ones. News of this spread like wildfire, and when John appeared in court, not only was the local courthouse packed out but all of Lata Station, the capital of Temotu Province, was swarming with people.

You could hear a pin drop in the courtroom when John stood to defend himself. He appealed to the conscience of the crowd as he spoke in detail about the origin of the cross, the hypocrisy of Christendom, and how the clergy had kept him and his people, spiritually, in the Dark Ages. In handing down his verdict, the judge said: “Charges dismissed. However, you must pay a fine of $20 for destroying private property.”

The clergy were defeated; they had wanted John sentenced to hard labor in prison. Quite a few people, including his brothers, James and Drawman, were affected by what they heard in court and later came into the truth.

In time John, James, and Drawman, along with their wives, were baptized. These three fleshly brothers were highly valued by the Anglican Church, but after they accepted the truth, the clergy put pressure on education officers and had James and Drawman fired from their jobs. This did not deter the two brothers. They decided to live off the land and sea and use their time to preach from house to house about real treasures, the marvelous Kingdom truths. Soon many more joined them.