John Newton, Author of Amazing Grace!
Sep 7, 2021 16:42:12 #
The story behind “Amazing Grace” is truly the account of tragedy in the life of John Newton. One would be hard pressed to imagine a blasphemous life equal to Newton’s early years. Nor would you believe the account of his life, had it not been written by his own hand.
Death took his saintly mother in July 1732, when John was 13 days from his 17th birthday. Newton wrote of her, “Almost her whole employment was the care of my education. At not more than 3 years of age she herself taught me English. She stored my memory with many valuable pieces, portions of Scripture, hymns and poems.”
After her death, and with only three years of formal schooling, Newton went to sea with his father, the captain of a merchant ship. From that day, Newton began a decline into rebellion and degradation that lasted until his 24th year. His willful and wanton disregard for all that is right and holy led him into a life plagued with despair, dangers at sea, abuse, public floggings, destitution, depression, near drowning and miraculous escapes.
During those years, Newton often entered a state of spiritual awakening. However, those times were short-lived, and he invariably lapsed into a more wicked and loathsome lifestyle.
While still a very young man, he became the captain of a slave ship, landing at least one load of his human cargo in Charleston, South Carolina. It is reported that he often was so wretched his ship’s crew regarded him as little more than an animal. He seemed oblivious to the plight of the poor black souls chained in the hold of his ship.
Once, in a drunken stupor, he fell overboard, and his ship’s crew refused to drop a boat to him. Instead, they threw a harpoon at him, hitting him in the hip. With it they dragged him back on board. Each step he took from that day forward was with a limp, a reminder of earlier years.
Shortly after a very harrowing experience at sea, Newton became ill, burning with fever, miserable and listless. He wrote: “Weak and almost delirious, I arose from my bed and crept to a secluded part of the island: there I found a renewed liberty to pray. I made no more resolves but cast myself before the Lord to do with me as he should please. I was enabled to hope and believe in a crucified Savior.
The burden was removed from my conscience.” From that hour, according to his autobiography, Newton began to improve, both physically and spiritually.
Two years later, Newton and his teenage sweetheart were married. During the following 14 years, he continued studying for the ministry, and at age 39 became a pastor in Olney, England. In 1779 he published a collection, “The Olney Hymns,” in which he placed 281 of his own poems, including what is now the lyrics to “Amazing Grace.” John Newton died in 1807 at age 82.
In earlier years, Newton’s verses were sung to many different tunes. The melody, so familiar to our nation, is a traditional American melody published in 1831. The last stanza was written by John P. Rees.
“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.”
“But God... quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved.” - Ephesians 2:7
John Newton joined forces with William Wilberforce, a member of British Parliament to lobby for the abolishment of slavery for years before it was finally passed on March 25, 1807. Just Sayin….RJS
Death took his saintly mother in July 1732, when John was 13 days from his 17th birthday. Newton wrote of her, “Almost her whole employment was the care of my education. At not more than 3 years of age she herself taught me English. She stored my memory with many valuable pieces, portions of Scripture, hymns and poems.”
After her death, and with only three years of formal schooling, Newton went to sea with his father, the captain of a merchant ship. From that day, Newton began a decline into rebellion and degradation that lasted until his 24th year. His willful and wanton disregard for all that is right and holy led him into a life plagued with despair, dangers at sea, abuse, public floggings, destitution, depression, near drowning and miraculous escapes.
During those years, Newton often entered a state of spiritual awakening. However, those times were short-lived, and he invariably lapsed into a more wicked and loathsome lifestyle.
While still a very young man, he became the captain of a slave ship, landing at least one load of his human cargo in Charleston, South Carolina. It is reported that he often was so wretched his ship’s crew regarded him as little more than an animal. He seemed oblivious to the plight of the poor black souls chained in the hold of his ship.
Once, in a drunken stupor, he fell overboard, and his ship’s crew refused to drop a boat to him. Instead, they threw a harpoon at him, hitting him in the hip. With it they dragged him back on board. Each step he took from that day forward was with a limp, a reminder of earlier years.
Shortly after a very harrowing experience at sea, Newton became ill, burning with fever, miserable and listless. He wrote: “Weak and almost delirious, I arose from my bed and crept to a secluded part of the island: there I found a renewed liberty to pray. I made no more resolves but cast myself before the Lord to do with me as he should please. I was enabled to hope and believe in a crucified Savior.
The burden was removed from my conscience.” From that hour, according to his autobiography, Newton began to improve, both physically and spiritually.
Two years later, Newton and his teenage sweetheart were married. During the following 14 years, he continued studying for the ministry, and at age 39 became a pastor in Olney, England. In 1779 he published a collection, “The Olney Hymns,” in which he placed 281 of his own poems, including what is now the lyrics to “Amazing Grace.” John Newton died in 1807 at age 82.
In earlier years, Newton’s verses were sung to many different tunes. The melody, so familiar to our nation, is a traditional American melody published in 1831. The last stanza was written by John P. Rees.
“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.”
“But God... quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved.” - Ephesians 2:7
John Newton joined forces with William Wilberforce, a member of British Parliament to lobby for the abolishment of slavery for years before it was finally passed on March 25, 1807. Just Sayin….RJS
Sep 7, 2021 17:21:59 #
Very good story of the hymn background Robert! Definitely a classic and favorite of many...myself included!
Over the years, I have heard numerous background accounts of hymns and poems being penned by authors, both men and women, that had their roots settled in the disdain, despair and anguishes they had encountered in life...only to at some point become awakened to something much bigger and better than themselves. They saw everything in a whole new light...and were transformed...as well as being inspired, to put their thoughts down on paper for others to benefit from.
Literature and written forms of communication can be awesome!
Over the years, I have heard numerous background accounts of hymns and poems being penned by authors, both men and women, that had their roots settled in the disdain, despair and anguishes they had encountered in life...only to at some point become awakened to something much bigger and better than themselves. They saw everything in a whole new light...and were transformed...as well as being inspired, to put their thoughts down on paper for others to benefit from.
Literature and written forms of communication can be awesome!
Sep 7, 2021 17:46:49 #
Jefcon
Loc: Washington state
The fourth verse always makes me weepy....
When we've there ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.
When we've there ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.
Sep 7, 2021 18:27:25 #
And I'm sure all the Slaves and their children from that 1 voyage have forgiven that inhumane form of flesh for everything ,,,, because it's a beautiful song huh?,,,,,,,,,
Sep 7, 2021 18:44:30 #
MJC
Loc: Mckinney Tx 35 miles north of Dallas
RJS,
You’ve done it again. Now I have to go buy the book. And, the way you tell a story keeps me riveted. Sometimes I don’t want the story to end. I could listen to you for as long as you’ll let me. Once again Well written.
Thank you
MjC
You’ve done it again. Now I have to go buy the book. And, the way you tell a story keeps me riveted. Sometimes I don’t want the story to end. I could listen to you for as long as you’ll let me. Once again Well written.
Thank you
MjC
Sep 7, 2021 19:12:35 #
No, I doubt it. I have read other accounts of slave ships when any of the captives were allowed any time above deck, some would run and jump overboard to commit suicide, rather than be shackled in the hold. Unfortunately, many were sold into slavery by other tribesmen, and I have heard this is still going on. Slavery is not dead. Just Sayin...RJS
Sep 7, 2021 19:29:35 #
Robert J Samples wrote:
No, I doubt it. I have read other accounts of slave ships when any of the captives were allowed any time above deck, some would run and jump overboard to commit suicide, rather than be shackled in the hold. Unfortunately, many were sold into slavery by other tribesmen, and I have heard this is still going on. Slavery is not dead. Just Sayin...RJS
Unbeleivable,I give up,,,
Sep 7, 2021 19:40:42 #
MJC
Loc: Mckinney Tx 35 miles north of Dallas
RJS
I should have been more clearer about the book - I was interested in Newton’s hand written accounts. That’s what I would like to read. To see what he’s thinking. How & why he made the decisions he made.
As for the slaves on any given ship, I’m sure I couldn’t comprehend the madness they went through.
And to think it still happens today, I don’t get it. Can’t think like that.
MjC
I should have been more clearer about the book - I was interested in Newton’s hand written accounts. That’s what I would like to read. To see what he’s thinking. How & why he made the decisions he made.
As for the slaves on any given ship, I’m sure I couldn’t comprehend the madness they went through.
And to think it still happens today, I don’t get it. Can’t think like that.
MjC
Sep 7, 2021 20:30:04 #
Lockman54
Loc: Alliance,Oh
Robert J Samples wrote:
The story behind “Amazing Grace” is truly the acco... (show quote)
"Amazing Grace" is one of my favorite songs.
Sep 8, 2021 20:27:27 #
So you can't think like that, you say. Take a look at the label on the back of your shirt and see if it says "Proudly made in the USA by union labor!" In reality we do not care who makes it or what their condition of servitude is as long as we get it at the lowest price possible. Slavery takes many forms!
Sep 8, 2021 20:36:15 #
There was quite an article in National Geographic several years ago that said there was as much slavery in the United States as there ever was. It just takes on a different form.
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