John Newton

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.

"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."