Amazing Grace
Great true story about John Newton the self-proclaimed lost soul
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

"Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ'd!

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis'd good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine.

The early days
John Newton was born in London July 24, 1725, son of a commander. When John was 11 and made 6 voyages with him
On his own
Put into service In 1744 on the H. M. S. Harwich, deserted, captured, flogged and demoted to common seaman.
Slave ship
Requested to be on slave ship the Sierra Leone, was the servant of a slave trader, was brutally abused. In 1748 a sea captain rescued him. Ultimately became captain of his own slave ship.
The great seeing
He had no religious convictions. On a homeward voyage, while steering through a violent storm, he experienced what he called his "great deliverance." He wrote that when all seemed lost and the ship would surely sink, he exclaimed, "Lord, have mercy upon us." Later he reflected and began to believe that God had addressed him through the storm and that grace had begun to work for him.
Rebirth
He observed the anniversary of May 10, 1748 as the day of his conversion for the rest of his life. He continued in the slave trade for a time; however, he saw to it that the slaves under his care were treated humanely.
New Life
In 1750 he married Mary Catlett, who loved for years. By 1755 he gave up seafaring. He began to educate himself. Met From 1755 to 1760 Newton was surveyor of tides at Liverpool, George Whitefield, deacon in the Church of England, became Whitefield's enthusiastic disciple. Also met and came to admire John Wesley, founder of Methodism. Newton's self-education continued, he learned Greek and Hebrew.
Became a minister
He decided to become a minister and was finally ordained Newton's church became so crowded that it had to be enlarged. He also preached other parts of the country.
Hymn Writer
Newton was prolific hymn writer, kept extensive journals letters. "Amazing Grace" to a tune of a song the slaves sang.
Dedicated his life
In 1780 Newton became rector of St. Mary Woolchurch, and continued to preach until the last year of life, although he was blind by that time. He died in London December 21, 1807. Infidel and libertine turned minister in the Church of England, he was secure in his faith that amazing grace would lead him home.

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