The story of "Amazing Grace"

John Newton

Who was John Newton? He was the composer of a hymn which many people consider to be the most popular hymn in the world today -- Amazing Grace. Almost everyone knows the first verse from memory:

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.

Very few people know the real life story of John Newton, who was born in 1725 and died in 1807. He could best be described as a Naval deserter from "Her Majesty's Navy", an atheist, a slave trader, stubborn, very disobedient, with a vicious temper. His mother, who was a deeply religious woman, died when he was seven years old and he was sent to a private boarding school. (He was kicked out of this school.)



John's father was a sea captain. He joined his father on his ship at a very young age, learning navigation, sails, and winds. He spent five years on this ship. He later served on many boats, including the Royal Navy (which kicked him out), trade ships and slave trade ships.

John Newton was 'saved' on the ship. Have you found It?

John had many harrowing escapes while at sea. He also had many positive signs and at the last minute his life was spared. However, it was on the slave ship "Greyhound" that he had his greatest awakening. Heading back to England, it ran into a vicious storm that really battered the ship and the weary crew. They fought hard to keep the ship together. The supplies were very low and they wondered if they could survive another day. Finally, they thought they spotted land, only to realize that it was a mirage. John asked God to have mercy on them as they were nearly out of all food and water.

The Greyhound ship

Finally, they saw land and it was Northern Ireland. They got a great reception from the people. After examining the boat, the carpenters and shipbuilders stated the boat would not have survived another day. The "Greyhound" had not been heard from for 18 months and was assumed lost at sea. Try to imagine being on a small boat, no radio, no one to help you but God.

John fell in love with a young lady who was only 14 when they met. After seven years they were married. She was 21 and he was 25. The year was 1750.

John finally became captain of his own slave ship. A plot was uncovered to overthrow the ship's captain by the crew. The ringleaders both became sick and one died. The mutiny failed. In the verse in "Amazing Grace" where he writes "Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come", he was speaking not only of his previous trials but of this danger as well.

Because of the grace that changed John's life, he made six attempts to be ordained a minister. Finally, at the age of 39, he became a parson. He wrote a number of hymns, and his real life experiences are reflected in "Amazing Grace."

John Newton grave

"Amazing Grace" is a song of hope and it binds people together.

Last verse

"When we've been here 10,000 years
bright shining as the sun
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we first begun."




Chris Tomlin's version