“A Wretch Like Me”—John Newton (July 24, 1725-Dec. 20, 1807)

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.

The author of these well-known words was born 282 years ago today. This year is significant as it also marks the 200^th anniversary of Newton’s death (Dec. 20; Dec. 21 according to Wikipedia).

John Newton was born in London, England to a shipmaster and a devout Christian mother, who brought him up in the nonconformist tradition. Newton’s mother, Elizabeth, died when John was 6 or 7 years old, after which he went to boarding school for two years. Having learned the basics of Latin, John then joined his father for several sea voyages before being pressed into service in the British Navy. Attempting to desert, John was captured and reduced in rank to a common seaman. At his request he was transferred to a slave ship going to Africa. There he actually became a slave to a woman who treated him harshly until he was rescued by a sea captain who was a friend of his father’s.

Newton learned the ways of the godless while at sea. Apparently forsaking the training of his youth, he outdid many of his contemporaries in blasphemy and other forms of sin. Returning to England from Africa, his ship encountered a violent storm, which damaged the ship and threatened their lives. This was when John Newton began to think about God and prayed for mercy. Back in England John began to read the Bible and Christian literature; he also avoided sins he was previously known for but still participated in the slave trade for a few more years. While commanding a slave ship in West Africa, sick with a fever and realizing his spiritual deficiencies, John Newton finally cast himself on the mercy of God and put his trust in Jesus Christ. The one who was lost was now found.

John left seafaring and the slave trade and took work at the port of Liverpool, studying Hebrew and Greek in his spare time. He also enjoyed fellowship with John Wesley and George Whitefield and became a lay preacher himself. He applied to the ministry of the Church of England and was accepted several years later. Newton ministered in Olney for several years before going to St. Mary Woolnoth Church in London. As a pastor and author Newton became very popular, his churches growing under his leadership. His friendship with poet William Cowper no doubt inspired Newton’s own literary gifts, and he became a noted hymnist as well. Many of Newton’s books continue to be reprinted today, along with his collected Works.

In his later ministry Newton’s influence on William Wilberforce helped to end the slave trade. God had been working in the younger man’s heart, and it was through Newton’s ministry that Wilberforce was brought to full faith in Christ. Wilberforce, a Member of Parliament, fought long and fierce opposition to end a godless practice. Newton, the former slave-trader, joined the campaign and fought on Christian principles to end the trade. Newton lived to see the victory on Feb. 23, 1807.

John Newton is best known today as the author of “Amazing Grace;” however, many of his books continue to keep his memory alive. Books of note include Out of the Depths, his autobiography. He is also famous in Christian circles for his Letters and Cardiphonia: or the Utterance of the Heart. Newton collaborated with William Cowper on a hymnal called Olney Hymns, which is available as a download and as a book from the Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney. I recommend visiting the museum website. It has much to offer.

John Newton’s legacy shows that anyone who comes to God through faith in His Son will find full pardon and redemption. Newton stands as an example along with the Apostle Paul:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12-17 NASB)

“A Wretch Like Me”—John Newton (July 24, 1725-Dec. 20, 1807)