John Newton

John Newton
1725-1807
English pastor and hymnwriter. John Newton was the son of an English sea captain. His mother was a deeply pious woman, who, with much care, taught him spiritual things until she died when John was seven years old.

At the age of 11, John went to sea and spent the next 20 years as a sailor engaged in slave trading. His life was spent in the basest sort of wickedness. At one time, he himself was the property of an African woman, who fed him only that which she threw him under her table. He was nearly killed several times during a terrible storm at sea, which almost sank the ship. His wicked life passed before him, and deep conviction caused him to cry out to God for salvation.

The next several years were spent in preparation for the ministry. He learned Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and studied the Scriptures intensively. In 1764 he was appointed pastor of Olney, where he served for 16 years before moving to St. Mary Woolnoth in the city of London. In addition to his pastoral duties, Newton was an ardent writer. His works included: Omicron, Narrative, Review of Ecclesiastical History, and Cardiphonia.

His greatest fame is the result of his work as a writer of hymns, the most familiar being Amazing Grace, which depicts in its verses the life story of John Newton:

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.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

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

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we first begun.