The hymn titled “Amazing Grace” was written by John Newton (1725-1807). After serving in the Royal Navy, Newton entered the slave trade. He worked as a captain of a slave trade ship. He saw with his own eyes the harsh treatment that the African slaves were experiencing. In 1748, Newton cried out to God while on his ship in the midst of a storm. He continued in the slave trade until 1754. Ten years later, he was ordained in the Church of England. Newton wrote this hymn to illustrate a sermon on New Year’s Day in 1773. Here are the lyrics.
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 has 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.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
In 1788, Newton wrote Thoughts upon the African Slave Trade. Here is a quote from that book. “I hope it will always be a subject of humiliating reflection to me, that I was once an active instrument in a business at which my heart now shudders.”
