The Story Behind the Song, Part II

And the story continues...

John Newton's encounter with God aboard the Greyhound, and his following resolution of faith were the beginning of a new life and journey for the young sailor. It did not mean that he was immediately transformed into a saint - no longer prone to wallowing in the dregs of sin and temptation - or that he became immune to sorrow and pain; but he had been on the threshold of death's door; witnessing the darkness and emptiness that awaited him beyond, and that he deserved to remain forever in the depths to which he had chosen to fall. But with this horrific realization came the overwhelming and powerful knowledge that Christ had rescued him from the pit, taking the weight of sin and death off his shoulders, and would continue to sanctify (set a apart; purify) the young man. The libertine sailor had been chosen by God Almighty to be his heir; his son; his child (read Galatians 3:26-28 and Titus 3:5-7). 
Newton wrote in retrospect...

“I mark that day as the turning point in my spiritual experience. I came into the good of being delivered from the power and domination of sin—even though I still, to this day, ‘groan, being burdened’ with the effects and ever-present conflicts of my sin nature.” 

At the age of twenty-five, in 1750, John Newton was elevated to captain and and promised a slave ship, The Duke of Argyle. Such a position was considered a “genteel employment," and so John saw this as his long-awaited opportunity to introduce himself as a suitable suitor to Mary Cartlett and to ask for her hand in marriage. She accepted and they had a joyful wedding in February, 1750. 
It wasn't long, though, before Newton had to return to sea. The months abroad were agonizingly long as he thought of Mary waiting patiently for his return. There is little evidence that Newton felt any conviction at the time concerning his business in the slave trade. Many historians and scholars debate the authenticity of his faith. How could a true Christian continue in such a career? But I would bring to their attention the fact that slavery was so ingrained in 18th century society and culture, that even though it may sound absurd and calloused to us today, the majority of the Christian community condoned it as necessary for the betterment of the British nation (of course it was a much more complex issue, but for the purpose of this blog post, I will leave it at that). Newton was truly seeking after the Lord, but he was new in the faith with little teaching and instruction. Conviction and action would come.

Note: It makes me wonder and consider what we as Christians condone and encourage in our culture today, simply because it is so ingrained in our day-to-day lives that we are oblivious to its moral and physical consequences upon our nation and personal lives. 

A few years later, on a trip to the West Indies, Newton met and befriended Captain Clunie, a man of God, who became his mentor. John later wrote, “I was all ear; he not only increased my understanding, but his teaching warmed my heart.”
In November 1754, Newton was encouraged by his doctor to retire from sailing after he had an unexplainable seizure at the age of twenty-nine. John was content with this turn of events - especially as he had begun to feel uncomfortable in his role as a slave ship captain - and spent the next few months happily at home with his wife and wandering through the countryside, praying and reading his Bible.   
In August 1755 the Newton’s moved to Liverpool when John got a job as a tide surveyor. Though he enjoyed his new career, his heart leaned toward the ministry. He became acquainted with George Whitefield, a renowned speaker of the time, and he began studying Hebrew and Greek, but he soon came to the realization that, “(He) would rather be useful to others than die with the reputation of an eminent linguist.” 
Though the idea did not please many of his relatives and friends, Newton began to think earnestly about entering the clergy. His first attempt at preaching a sermon was a humiliating disaster, but he continued to persevere. He applied for ordination but met opposition at every turn. Many people refused to be references for him and he discovered that it was imperative that he have a university education - which he did not have and would not be able to attain. Though Newton was understandably frustrated, he was not defeated; the conflict only made him all the more certain that this was what God was calling him to do. While he waited for something to happen, he wrote his Authentic Narrative, and published it in that same year (1764). Soon after, Newton’s story and predicament came to the attention of Lord Dartmouth, a man of great influence. He worked swiftly on Newton's behalf and succeeded in attaining a parish for him in the little trade town of Olney. So Newton, at the age of thirty-nine became a clergyman, just like his mother had prayed and desired. 
The next sixteen years in Olney were happy ones. John and Mary never had children, but they acted as loving parents and friends to many of those in their congregation, and later adopted Mary's niece.
Newton continued to show a talent for writing poetry, but it was no longer the vulgar rubbish he had written as a young man. In 1779, Newton and Cowper (a dear friend of Newton's) published a collection of Olney Hymns, the majority of them being written by Newton, including what would become his most famous hymn, Amazing Grace. In the same year, he was offered a position at St. Mary’s Woolnoth in London. He accepted. John wrote about himself after the move: 

“That one of the most ignorant, the most miserable, and the most abandoned of slaves should be plucked from his forlorn state of exile in the coast of Africa and eventually be appointed minister of the parish of the first magistrate of the first city of the world; that he should there not only testify to such grace, but himself be a monument of it; that he should be able to record his rescue in his history, preaching, and writings to the world at large is a fact that I marvel in but (can) never sufficiently understand.”

It was there in 1785 that he was visited by a young Parliamentarian named William Wilberforce who wished to have a “serious conversation” about faith, and to seek direction from the old sea captain in regards to his career and raising a bill in the House against slavery. 
Newton had been struggling as he considered the magnitude of the atrocities of the slave trade, and the part he had played in them. But God would use these painful events and memories "for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50:19, ESV), just as he did for Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Newton would later stand before the Privy Council as an eyewitness of the slave trade, ultimately assisting and encouraging Wilberforce in his campaign for its abolition. Newton also had many letters and essays published in his later years and he influenced a great many organizations and people like Wilberforce.
It was also in London that deep sorrow touched his life. His dear friend Cowper passed away, and Mary, his beloved wife, died at the age of fifty. Newton wondered how he could carry on, but God continued to strengthen him. 
John Newton was getting old. His eyesight was failing to the point of blindness and his memory was fading. He refused to retire from the pulpit, though, and continued to preach despite the fact that he frequently lapsed into forgetfulness in front of his congregation. He once said to someone, “I am like a person going on a journey in a stage coach, who expects its arrival every hour, and is frequently looking out the window for it.”  As one biographer described, John Newton waited patiently and joyously until that coach arrived on 21 December, 1807 and took him peacefully away at the age of eighty-two. The following is the inscription on his grave:

"Once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, (he) was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, reserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy."

Knowing the story and life behind the song can deeply enrich our understanding and appreciation of it. Why not read over the original lyrics of Amazing Grace below, or listen to the song?

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.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my Shield and Portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yea, 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 called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

If you are interested in learning more about this fascinating and monumental time in history, I would highly suggest reading Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas and watching the movie by the same name, released in 2007 to commemorate the bicentennial of the abolition of the slave trade. It's one of my favourite historical films!

Sadly, John Newton, William Wilberforce, and that time in history are often overlooked in school and by our culture. Did you know that Abraham Lincoln considered Wilberforce to be one of his greatest inspirations? 

I could talk on and on about this historical period and these inspiring men of faith, but I will contain myself and leave it at that!

Resources

Dunn, John. A Biography of John Newton. New Creation Teaching Ministry, 1994. Web.

Metaxas, Eric. Amazing Grace. Harper Collins, New York, 2007. Print.

Newton, John. Authentic Narrative. London, 1964. Web.