Hymn Stories - "Amazing Grace"

In my years of service in God's kingdom I have encountered many who have never heard the wonderful story of the origin of the powerful hymn "Amazing Grace". So, here you go.

The date MAY 10, 1748 is one of those milestones that God inserts into the everyday lives of everyday men and women who attach no special significance to the moment beyond what they experience in  that moment. Such is the case with this very date in the life of one whose life was extraordinarily difficult until that moment.

John Newton went to sea at 11 years old to work on a Merchant ship which his father commanded. He made six Mediterranean voyages until his father retired and then was pressed into service aboard the man-of-war, HMS Harwich. He soon found conditions aboard the ship intolerable and deserted, but was soon captured and returned to the ship, publicly flogged and demoted to a common seaman. His request to be exchanged into the service of a slave ship was soon granted, which brought him to Sierra Leone. He became the servant of a very abusive slave captain until 1748 when he was rescued by another sea captain who had been a close friend of his father. He ultimately became captain of his own slave ship.

Although Newton had some early spiritual training from his mother, she died when he was a young boy so by now he had given up any religious convictions he ever had. On a homeward voyage the ship encountered a particularly violent storm and Newton feared that all would be lost. However he was able to steer through the storm and later in calmer waters he reflected on his thoughts as he fought to reach a place of safety. In his journal, he referred to that night as his "great deliverance" because during the heat of the moment he had actually prayed, "Lord have mercy on us." For the rest of his life he celebrated May 10, 1748 as the day of his conversion.

Ultimately John Newton became one of Europe's most influential preachers, teachers and composers of hymn. "Amazing Grace" was probably written some time between 1760 and 1770. The lyrics and music bear a haunting resemblance to many of the songs sung by the captured slaves on the long sea voyage to a life of hardship and deprivation. Newton was self educated even learning Hebrew and Greek from John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

His greatest contribution to the cause of Jesus Christ undoubtedly are the words of the great hymn "Amazing Grace". He died in London December 21, 1807. He wrote his own epitaph that appears on a marble plaque in St Mary, Woolnoth, UK and on his tombstone:

"JOHN NEWTON , clerk (preacher) 
Once an infidel and libertine
a servant of slaves in Africa
Was, by the rich mercy
of our Lord and Savior
JESUS CHRIST
restored, pardoned and
appointed to preach
the gospel which he
had long labored to destroy.
He ministered near 16 years in Olney, in Bucks
and twenty eight years in this church."

"Amazing Grace" indeed. HALLELUJAH!!