Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1978

Sacred Composers of the Eighteenth Century - John Newton Anniversary
Herman Mulder

John Newton, Clerk, Once an infidel and libertine, A servant of slaves in Africa: Was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Preserved, Restored, Pardoned, And appointed to preach the faith He had long laboured to destroy. Near sixteen years at Olney in Bucks: And twenty-seven years in this Church.

So runs Newton's epitaph on his tombstone, written by himself. The dramatic story of John Newton's life has often been told.

Newton was born in London, July 24, 1725. His father was a sea captain. His mother, a deeply religious woman, found her great joy in teaching her boy Scripture passages and hymns. When he was only four years old he was able to read the Catechism. When the lad was only seven years of age she died. At age eleven he joined his father at sea where he soon began to live a godless and abandoned life. Through the influence of evil companions and reckless adventures he moved in the lowest and vilest circles and sank to the depths of vice.

Eventually he fell into the hands of a slave trader where in his misery he gave himself up to nameless sins. The memory of his mother, however, and the religious truths she had implanted in his soul as a child must have given his conscience no peace. After six years as the captain of a slave ship, during which time he struggled to find peace with God, he finally accepted Christ as his Saviour.

For nine years at Liverpool he was closely associated with the Wesleys, studying the Scriptures in Hebrew and Greek, and was occasionally preaching at religious gatherings. In 1764 he was ordained as curate at Olney, where he formed the famous friendship with the poet William Cowper that gave to the world so many beautiful hymns. "How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds" is a hymn of tenderness, and ranks among the finest in the English language. Other notable hymns by Newton are: "Approach my soul, the mercy seat". "Safely through another week", "May the grace of Christ our Saviour", and "Glorious things of Thee are spoken".

When he was nearly eighty years old it was necessary for an assistant to stand in the pulpit to help him read the sermons. One Sunday Newton had twice read the words, "Jesus Christ is precious". "You have already read that twice", whispered his helper, "go on". "John", said Newton, turning to the man, "I said that twice and I'm going to say it again", "Jesus Christ is precious". The congregation roared with applause.

Newton's whole life may be said to be summed up in the words of one of his appealing hymns:

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. Next month Part IX - "Sacred Composers of the Eighteenth Century Isaac Watts".

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