Have you ever wondered how or why some songs get written? This book allows the reader to peek into the life of John Newton, composer of the ever-famous song Amazing Grace. Newton wrote the song in the 1760s; yet, it is still sung in churches, prisons, and at special events to this day. Throughout his childhood, Newton experienced God's grace in a variety of ways. By the age of four, he was able to read and knew the Bible well. His teacher and mother, however, passed away when John was just seven, leaving him in the care of his father, who at times was cold and distant. John was a rebellious teenager, one whom his father didn't know how to adequately handle. After trying his hand at several different jobs, John found himself a part of the slave trade, first as a servant who helped round up slaves that could be traded and last as the owner of his own slave trade business. During his multiple jobs, he gave up on God, believing that grace was not attainable for him because he screwed up too many times. He spent a large part of this time in trouble with various persons, usually his bosses. He was kidnapped and forced into the navy, something which was not uncommon at that time. Eventually he would gain freedom when a slave trade ship asked the navy to trade men. John was among the men traded to the slave trade ship known as the Harwich. He was treated very poorly by his new boss, actually treated more like a slave, even though he was an Englishman. When another Englishman came aboard the island, John's master was ashamed at being seen treating one of his own so poorly. He let John go to work for the new trader, who was hired by John's father to bring him home. During a violent storm, John cried out for God to have mercy. This would be the first time since becoming an adult when John called on God for help. Fortunately they survived the storm; however, they were thrown very off course and ended up in Ireland. He attributed his survival to God's grace. A second incident involving a ship that sank after he was called not to get on it would serve as further proof of God's grace. By age 23, he'd raised enough money to marry the girl he'd loved since the age of 17. After their marriage, he went back into the slave trade. He treated his slaves better than most other owners, but he still felt this guilt for being part of the slave trade. Eventually he would leave the slave trade when he caught a fever and had no choice. He met William Cowper, a famous poet, and together they wrote Amazing Grace and other hymns known as the Olney hymns. Find out how the story ends and how John Newton played a part in getting rid of slavery in England when you read this book.
Personal Reflections
I've heard the song Amazing Grace all my life. It's one of those songs that I knew because I went to church but hadn't really given much thought. It wasn't until a fellow teacher of mine mentioned that the author of Amazing Grace was part of the slave trade when I really began to give it any thought at all. What an interesting and difficult life this writer had! I never would have guessed that such words came from a man who spent a good portion of his life not understanding God's grace at all. For anyone who has an interest in this type of story, I highly recommend it. You will find yourself surprised at how it all plays out.
LOVE THIS STORY!!
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