“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”
That beloved hymn that Christians everywhere loves to sing in remembrance of God’s gracious mercy to us sinners, was written by a fellow brother in Christ, Reverend John Newton. Written in 1779, it has been used by many churches, in many communions, many baptisms, many funerals, many worship services, and many homecoming, lasting up to 239 years. A somewhat common knowledge is that Newton has worked in the slave trading industry before his conversion and sometimes after his conversion. Like many of us, it took some time to allow the Lord to sanctify him and change his view on slave trading. In fact, even though he would note the date of his conversion to be March 10, 1748, he wrote, “I cannot consider myself to have been a believer in the full sense of the word, until a considerable time afterwards.” (Out of the Depth, Newton, pg 45)
The following is an excerpt for your edification from “The One Year Book of Hymns: 365 Devotional Readings Based on Great Hymns of the Faith” by William & Randy Petersen.
“The gift of forgiveness is often appreciated by those who need it the most. The Reverend John Newton experienced this truth firsthand. His tombstone tells the story: “John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and Libertine, a servant of slavers in Africa, was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had so long labored to destroy.” These words were written by Newton himself, a testimony to God’s transforming power. After years as a hardened slave trader, that “wretch” met Jesus Christ and abruptly turned to defend the gospel he had so long despised.”
Throughout Newton’s years of ministry, God’s amazing grace remained central to Newton’s thinking. When it was suggested he retire (at age of eighty-two!) due to poor health and failing memory, he responded, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior!”’
