I’m a student of history. Remembering dates and important events has always come easily for me, and I’m often amazed by how our lives today are affected by the actions of those who’ve come before. From time to time, I’d like to share a short profile on someone I think you’d like to know.
Today let’s meet John Newton.
Does his name ring any bells for you? If not, does the song “Amazing Grace” sound familiar? It was written by John Newton and is his most popular hymn. Here’s a short summary of his life:
John Newton was born in London in 1725. His life story proves the adage that “truth is stranger than fiction.” His mother died when he was seven, he was sent to boarding school, and began his life at sea at age eleven. Yes, you read that right—eleven.
For several years he sailed with his father. In 1743, he was “pressed” into service with the Royal Navy; which is a nice way of saying he was forcibly taken into service. During these years he was a reprobate – even by sailors’ standards. He later wrote of that time, “I sinned with a high hand, and I made it my study to tempt and seduce others.” Things went downhill fast. He was nearly beaten to death for attempted desertion, joined the crew of a slave ship, worked for a slave trader where he was treated brutally, and eventually headed home in 1748.
It was during this trip home that he came to belief in Christ, “the hour I first believed,” but his young faith had much growing to do. He continued in the slave trade until 1754.
After he gave up the slave trade, he took a government job and started spending time with some of the leading preachers of the day, most notably George Whitefield. From there he began theological studies and was eventually ordained by the Church of England. In 1764, he accepted the curacy at Olney, a city about 51 miles northwest of London. It was during his time there he wrote many hymns including “Amazing Grace.” He pastored there until 1779 when he became the rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, London.
It was after this move to London that he became friends with William Wilberforce and labored with him to abolish the slave trade. Their goal was accomplished in the spring of 1807. Newton died later that year.
He penned his own epitaph which reads, “JOHN NEWTON. Clerk. Once an infidel and libertine a servant of slaves in Africa was by the rich mercy of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST preserved, restored, pardoned and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.”
A couple things stick out to me:
- By anyone’s standards, Newton spent much of his life committing terrible sins. And yet, God saved Him and then used Him to preach the Gospel to others. Much like the Apostle Paul after his conversion, Newton dedicated his life and loyalty to the Lord who saved Him. He never forgot that he was a sinner, but he was confident in God’s ability to save Him. Isaiah 59:1 reminds us, “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.” Newton’s sins were no match for God’s grace, and neither are ours.
- I’m amazed by the 180-degree turnaround in Newton’s character after his conversion. He went from being a truly terrible person to being a loving husband, a devoted friend, a compassionate minister, and an advocate for those whom he’d previously helped to enslave. Do you feel like your sins are too big to overcome? Or is it too hard to give them up? I think Newton’s life shows us that with God’s help we can change and not live in our sin. I find that tremendously encouraging.
There’s so much more to know about John Newton—his hymns, his ministry, his friendship with William Cowper…but that will have to wait for another day.
If you have any suggestions for Someone I Think You’d Like to Know, leave me a note in the comments or send me an email.
Click here to download The Words of John Newton a PDF printable of some of Newton’s best known quotes.
And here are a few links if you want to know a little more:
Listen: Amazing Grace (a few amazing versions, because I couldn’t pick just one)
Alan Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogxLNlgKM8c
Elvis Presley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu2dwrhunRI
Mahalia Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJg5Op5W7yw
Read: John Newton From Disgrace to Amazing Grace by Jonathan Aitken
Watch: Amazing Grace
(This movie is about William Wilberforce, but the character of John Newton plays a role)