Difference between revisions of "John Newton"
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| − | '''John Newton''' (1725-1807) was a former slave ship captain who converted to [[Christianity]] and then wrote the song "Amazing Grace" surviving a storm at sea. | + | '''John Newton''' (1725-1807) was a former slave ship captain who converted to [[Christianity]] and then wrote the song "Amazing Grace" after feeling touched by [[Christ]] and surviving a storm at sea. |
"Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I | "Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I | ||
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<blockquote>"John Newton, Clerk, once an [[infidel]] and libertine, a servant of | <blockquote>"John Newton, Clerk, once an [[infidel]] and libertine, a servant of | ||
slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour | slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour | ||
| − | + | Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach | |
the faith he had long labored to destroy."</blockquote> | the faith he had long labored to destroy."</blockquote> | ||
Revision as of 07:02, July 25, 2007
John Newton (1725-1807) was a former slave ship captain who converted to Christianity and then wrote the song "Amazing Grace" after feeling touched by Christ and surviving a storm at sea.
"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."
John Newton's conversion happened during a storm that nearly sank his ship. He prayed at first, and later he read Thomas a Kempis' 'Imitation of Christ.' He began to turn to Christ. Newton abandoned the slave-trade and became a minister. He spent the rest of his life preaching against slavery.
Newton helped William Wilberforce end slavery in England. Newton's tombstone reads:
"John Newton, Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of
slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach
the faith he had long labored to destroy."