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!
Thru many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; 'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
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 a small cemetery of a parish churchyard in Olney, England, stands a granite tombstone with the following inscription: "John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and Libertine, a servant of slavers in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the Faith he had long labored to destroy." This testimonial, written by Newton himself prior to his death, describes aptly the unusual and colorful life of this man.
Calling himself a "wretch" who was lost and blind, John Newton recalled leaving school at the age of 11 to begin life as a rough, debauched seaman. His early years were one continuous round of rebellion and debauchery. After serving on several ships as well as working for a period of time on the islands and mainland of the West African coast collecting slaves for sale to visiting traders, Newton eventually became a captain of his own slave ship. Needless to say, the capturing, selling and transporting of black slaves to the plantations in the West Indies and America was a cruel and vicious way of life.
On March 10, 1748, while returning to England from Africa during a particularly stormy voyage when it appeared that all would be lost, Newton began reading Thomas Kempis's book, Imitation of Christ. The message of the book and the frightening experience at sea influenced Newton's eventual conversion.
Newton would hold services regularly in any large building he could secure in the surrounding area. Wherever he preached, large crowds gathered to hear the "Old Converted Sea Captain." Especially effective was the use of the story of his early life and conversion experience, which he told often.
Until the time of his death at the age of 82, John Newton never ceased to marvel at the grace of God that transformed him so completely. Shortly before his death he is quoted as proclaiming with a loud voice during a message, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!" What amazing grace!
This is probably the most popular hymn in the English language—a television documentary was even made about it.
Three interesting additional verses written by Newton that are not included in most hymnals are as follows:
The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, will be forever mine. http://www.dwighthogland.com/amazing_grace.htm
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