January 2022

               You all have heard the hymn “Amazing Grace.” Have you ever heard the story of its author John Newton?

               John was born in 1725 in London and schooled in the Reformed faith by his mother. When she died when he was seven his religious training ended.

               John accompanied his father, also named John, a sea captain on his voyages. When he was nineteen his father forced him into the service of the Royal Navy. He was a rebellious sailor and was eventually discharged from the service. At this point in his life he took up employment with a man named Mr. Clow, a slave trader in Africa.

               In 1748 while on a loaded slave ship on his way back to England, he encountered a severe storm in the North Atlantic. It was during this storm, afraid for his life that John uttered his first feeble prayer in years. He often said that this was the “hour he first believed” although by accounts it would be several months before his faith would be firmly established.

               John began attending church meetings. He started studying Greek, Hebrew and theology. In 1764 he was ordained an Anglican minister. He took a pulpit in a small village and thrived as a preacher. It was there that he started to write his own simple, heart-felt hymns. In 1779 he and poet William Cowper published “Amazing Grace.” It is in this hymn we see John Newton’s life story.

               In 1779 John was invited to become the rector of one of the most esteemed parishes in London, St. Mary Woolnoth. From all over England and from beyond its shores people flocked to hear him preach, to sing his hymns and to receive spiritual guidance. He served there until his death in 1807.

               The life story of the author of one of, if not the best known Christian hymn, should uplift us and inspire us. John Newton’s life shows us there is nothing we can do that can stop God’s grace. There is nothing we can do that will stop God from using us in his name.

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! Was blind but now I see.

Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.”

(Amazing Grace)

God bless