John Newton had been pressed into service by the British Royal Navy. Having learned that his ship was assigned an extended voyage, he attempted to desert. As punishment and as an example to the rest of the crew, he was flogged on his bare back with 97 lashes. Later, at his own request, he was transferred to a merchant vessel, but was set off at Sierra Leone because of his bad behavior towards the rest of the crew. There he became a servant and was abused by his master.
Newton was rescued in 1748, when he was about 22 years old, by a friend of his father, who returned him to England on his merchant ship. On that journey home, their ship, the Greyhound, encountered a violent storm which threatened to sink them. Newton had been reading the Bible and The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis. It was that day, May 10, 1748, that John Newton celebrated as his conversion to Christ: In fear for his life and in full awareness of his wretched sins, he cried out to God.
Newton continued to grow in his faith and in repentance, but he also continued to work in the slave trade, serving as first officer and as captain on several more ventures. He only gave up the sea after suffering a stroke in 1754.
He became an Anglican priest in 1764 and wrote his famous words around Christmas, 1772. They were framed around a sermon he had written based on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 and their reflection on his own life. The phrase, “the hour I first believed,” refers to a time when, in an intense storm, he had just gone below deck after his shift, when the man who relieved him was swept overboard. Shaken, he realized that only the grace of God had saved him.
Newton’s story strikes a familiar chord with so many people who, reflecting over their own sins and slow growth, realize how patiently God has endured with us all. “From the fullness of his grace we have all received on blessing after another” 1 John 1:16.
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Incuded below are John Newton's lyrics for "Amazing Grace" which do not include the familiar stanza, "When we've been there ten thousand years..." which was added later. The additional verse was first published in Harriet Beecher Stowe's, Uncle Tom's Cabin and became included in hymnals after that. However, the style and the message do not match the other verses written by Newton.
Amazing Grace
John Newton
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.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
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