Newton, John
1725-1807
Amazing Grace – A Legacy of Faithfulness
by Rit Nosotro First Published:: 2003( )
Slavery has been a dominant factor in society since the beginning of time. The first instance of slavery is not known, but it is easy to guess that it probably developed over a debt or just dislike. However, what is known is that this ghastly institution has been the cause of countless injustices, robberies, and feuds. John Newton was a man that was born in the seventeen hundreds, at the high tide of slavery, yet there was something very different about this man - he experienced amazing grace.
Newton had a very rough childhood and early life. His mother died at an early age, although not without first imprinting on his young mind many important lessons from the Bible. At the age of 11 after abandoning his rudimentary education, Newton headed out to sea with his father. Here he was greatly influenced for the worse. "Sailors were not noted for the refinement of their manners, but Newton had a reputation for profanity, coarseness, and debauchery which even shocked many a sailor. He was known as 'The Great Blasphemer.'"1
Things didn't get much better for Newton. He was impressed into service on a British Man of War. But he tired of the poor conditions and ran away - only to be captured, publicly flogged, and demoted. "Finally at his own request he was exchanged into service on a slave ship, which took him to the coast of Sierra Leone." 2The worst was still not over. He became a servant of a slaver trader, he experienced what it was like to serve slaves. Newton got out of that situation, then by hook or by crook he obtained his own ship to pilot which he used in the slave trade. It is curious to note that he didn't have conscience enough to bother him about treating others as he had been treated.
On one of his many trips, Newton's ship was caught in a furious storm. As he was desperately trying to steer his ship through the storm, he began to meditate on his life. Old verses covered in cobwebs that he had learned from his mother began to come back to him. One in particular from Proverbs 1:24-31 hit him square in the heart with despair. "Because I have called, and ye refused . . . ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also laughed at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh: when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer."1 He was convinced that he had been far too wicked for God to even consider forgiving him. Yet in desperation Newton still cried for God's mercy, and he made through the storm. He started reading the Bible and realized that he had been greatly mistaken. God was not a mean, unforgiving God who is just waiting to throw people into hell's fiery pits for their sins. Quite on the contrary, he was a compassionate God who waited for all to humble themselves so that He might forgive them. Nobody, not even the most wicked and hard hearted slave trader was beyond God's forgiveness. That day was the first day that John Newton experienced grace in its true form.
Newton's life took a radical turn around. No longer was he known as the blasphemer that laughed at anything religious, he had become a devoted Bible reader who lived out his convictions with great earnestness. Newton continued in the slave business for a short while although he treated the slaves very humanely, but his marriage and a serious illness turned him from that life pursuit. He became a surveyor in England and at the same time became acquainted with several people who he would remain friends with until the end of his life. Among these were George Whitfield, John Wesley, and William Cowper. Newton composed many hymns for his services, the most famous, Amazing Grace, was a prayer of deep gratitude poured from his heart to God for having saved his life and his soul. In his old age he preached to an audience that included William Wilberforce, the man who would make his most profound mark on history by pushing Parliment to outlaw slavery. Newton's letters to Wilberforce encouraged him to act on his moral convictions against slavery. Newton continued living always being infatuated with God's ability to work in his life. He died at the age of eighty two, but before he died, he wrote a short statement to some friends that could perhaps sum up his life. "'My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.'"1. This was John Newton, a man who lived in a time of moral disgrace, but experienced such amazing grace that he influenced the global cessation of slavery. God's word does not return void.
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ENDNOTES:
1John Newton, Servant
of Slavers, Discovers Amazing Grace! 2004. 2Rogers, Al. Amazing Grace:
The Story of John Newton. 13 Feb. 2004. Other Sources:
John Newton. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 21 Dec. 2004. Disclaimer:
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