| John Newton (1725-1807) was a
former English navy midshipman who deserted and eventually
became a servant to a slave-trader. Rescued from
servanthood, he was converted to Christianity in 1748 at the
age of 23. For the next six years, Newton commanded a
slave ship. An avid reader, he educated himself by
reading the Bible and other classic literature. Due to
ill health, he abandoned the sea and took a job in Liverpool
for nine years, during which time he interacted with George
Whitefield and John Wesley. He was ordained to the
curacy of Olney in 1764. While pastoring in Olney,
Newton published hymns, of which his most well-known would
become the timeless classic, Amazing Grace.
During this time he came to deeply regret his his former
involvement in the slave trade, and joined forces with
William Wilberforce in the campaign for abolition, writing
an abolitionist tract in 1787. Although originally
buried in London, work on the subway system threatened his
grave, which was subsequently moved to St. Peter & St. Paul
Parish in Olney. The 2006 movie Amazing Grace
portrays the story of Wilberforce and Newton in their
opposition to slavery. Photographs below by
Bruce Gourley. |
