The story of 'Amazing Grace'

[Guest guest]

Sairam!

Since many Sai devotees know this I like to share the story behind this with all

here. gr

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'Amazing Grace' Everybody knows the hymn "Amazing Grace," but-not many people

know the story of the man who wrote it.John Newton was an atheist. In his

autobiography, he describes himself as a "libertine," but does not go into

great detail about the deeds he did to merit that title. He was captain of a

slave trading ship that brought slaves from Africa to America. He was involved

in this sordid trade for several years. All this time, he scoffed at the

Christian faith and its-followers.Then, on a trip from America (where he had

delivered a load of slaves) to England, he met a storm at sea. It was a very

violent storm -- the worst the old sea captain had ever seen.He and the crew

were working frantically on deck to secure the ship against the storm when he

realized that they were about to sink.Newton said later, "I do not know why I

cried out to God -- I certainly did not believe in him! But I cried out, 'Oh

God, save us!,' and in that very moment the sea became calm as glass, and the

wind dropped to a breeze." When he arrived in England, he went to a church to

give thanks to God for his-rescue.Newton continued in the slave trade for

several years, but he became more and more uncomfortable with it. He tried to

make it as humane as he could. He refused to accept slaves who did not appear

strong enough to survive the voyage. He began allowing his "cargo" to come on

deck to bathe and exercise. He even began saying prayers with them.On one trip

to Charleston, he saw slaves going to church. This made him very uncomfortable.

He had to acknowledge that the slaves were Christian brothers and

sisters.Finally, he gave up slave trading. Soon he began to consider the

ministry. After prayerful consideration, he was ordained in the Church of

England. He became vicar of a country church, Olney.There he wrote most of his

hymns -- the "Olney hymns." Five of his hymns (including "Amazing Grace") are

in the hymnal my church uses. (Just for fun, count the John Newton hymns in

your church's hymnal). Later, he became vicar of a church in London, and under

his leadership, many were converted to Christ.One day, William Wilberforce, a

member of Parliament, came to him. Wilberforce had been converted and was

considering leaving Parliament to become a minister. Newton told him, "God has

lots of ministers, but he doesn't have many members of Parliament. Stay there

and minister for him there."Wilberforce was determined to end the slave trade.

When his bill came before a committee of the House of Commons, he called Newton

to come and testify to how evil the slave trade was.The bill passed, so the old

slave trader became one of those who helped bring the trade to an end.The hymn

that Newton is best known for tells the story of his life:"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!"Dr. W. Foster Eich is associate priest at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal

Church, Florence, AL.

 

-------------LOVE EVER, HURT NEVER