On July 24, 1725, John Newton was born in London, England. He was the son of a captain engaged in Mediterranean trade. His mother was a devout Christian woman who educated him in the Christian faith in the hope that John Newton would be able to engage in the priesthood when he grew up. Therefore, he knew how to recite church catechisms and many Isaac Watts hymns from an early age. . Although his mother died when Newton was seven years old, her loving mother had a huge influence on Newton's life. Newton went to sea with his father *** six times until his father's death in 1742.
In 1743, he was drafted into the navy and served as an ensign substitute on the Royal Navy HMS Harwich. During his life at sea, he quickly contracted the dissolute habits of sailors, and his morals became increasingly corrupted. He indulged in eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, and being cunning and cunning, so that he became notorious. One day while on a voyage, I read a book about Kemper Doma's Guide to the Holy Order of the Lord, and I was moved and changed my career. But for the next six years, he continued his immoral occupation of selling slaves in Africa.
He returned to the right path in 1764, served as a priest in the Anglican Church, and devoted his life to opposing the slavery system. When he applied for ordination, the examiners thought he was unlearned and refused to accept the offer. However, after a detailed examination by the Bishop of London, it was discovered that he was not unlearned. He was proficient in Latin and Greek and was full of economic knowledge. . He was also a poet and wrote many touching hymns.
Because his academic qualifications were too shallow and he had only studied for two years, he was not qualified to be ordained a pastor. However, he was not discouraged and still worked hard to educate himself. In addition to studying theology, he also studied Greek and Greek. Hebrew, etc. After sixteen years of hard work, he was finally ordained as a priest by the Anglican Church and was sent to work in Olney. Because he had a rebirth experience, he was humble, full of love, holy and sober, and he continued to pursue spiritual life, so his sermons were very powerful, and many people received help from him. After he was very successful there, he was invited to work in London and published a book of sermons called "Messiah" which was very popular.
When John Newton passed away on December 21, 1807, he wrote an epitaph for himself: "The Reverend John Newton was once a criminal and unbelieving man who worked as a slave in Africa. Servant, but preserved and forgiven through the rich mercy of our Savior Jesus Christ, appointed to preach the gospel. ” He once told future generations that no other memorials were needed except this tombstone, but the hymns he wrote are of more immortal value than any memorial. In addition to the most famous Amazing Grace, there are several other poems that have been handed down to the world. .