![]() ![]() There, at the heart of the nation, he was able to be a powerful influencer, encouraging, counselling and promoting in every way, a vibrant evangelical Christianity. ![]() Although technically Cowper may have been the finer poet, Newton demonstrated a remarkable ability for using simple language.Īfter 16 years of fruitful ministry in Olney, Newton moved to a City of London church in 1780. Newton's contribution included many hymns that remain popular including 'Amazing Grace', 'How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds' and 'Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken'. The poet and hymnwriter William Cowper moved to Olney and he and Newton became close friends, something that was to prove an enormous help to the depressive Cowper. He also wrote books that brought him to the attention of the wider public. A lively, committed and caring pastor who taught the Bible and preached appealing and relevant sermons, he trebled the size of his congregation. He sought ordination in the Church of England but for several years was rejected because of his lack of a degree and the suspicion that he had acquired Methodist 'enthusiasm'.įinally, aided by an influential supporter, Newton was ordained and became curate of Olney in Buckinghamshire. Newton's life changed and he became involved in evangelical fellowships and in organising Bible study. There, his Christian life started to blossom and he came under the influence of those great preachers of the Methodist revival, John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield. He returned to serve on slave ships, making three voyages as captain and seemingly ignoring any inconsistency between his trade and his faith.Īt the age of 29, after ill health, Newton gave up seafaring and instead took a job in the port of Liverpool. In 1750, Newton married Polly Catlett, with whom he was to have 40 years of happy, if childless, marriage. However, change had started and Newton began to pray and to read the Bible. Although Newton later considered his prayer to mark the moment of his conversion, he was to write, 'I cannot consider myself to have been a believer, in the full sense of the word, until a considerable time afterwards.' ![]() Somehow the ship was able to make it back safely to the British Isles. As the vessel began to sink, Newton began to pray, throwing himself on the mercy of God. Nevertheless, as he sailed back to Britain his ship was struck by a severe storm. When Newton was rescued in 1748, he showed no signs of repentance. Newton, having made many enemies, found himself left behind in Africa by his colleagues and was there imprisoned in chains and treated brutally for eighteen months. It's a sad fact that slavery – a profitable and, in Britain, largely invisible trade – then aroused little controversy. Managing to leave the Navy, Newton became involved in the slave trade, shipping slaves from Africa to North America. He deserted, was caught and given a public flogging. He had an ability to find trouble: rejecting good jobs, being fired after six sea voyages and, aged 19, press-ganged into the Royal Navy. He followed his father to sea at the age of 11 but rejected his mother's faith, becoming a rebellious, reckless and immoral youngster. Newton was born in London in 1725 to a seagoing father and a devout mother. Wikimedia Commonsįew stories in Christian history are more dramatic than that of John Newton, whose life demonstrates the title of his most famous hymn, 'Amazing Grace'. John Newton's hymn 'Amazing Grace' is probably the best-known hymn of all time. ![]()
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