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John Newton

Ex-slaver and minister John Newton faced constant calamities, yet still escaped ruin. The lyrics of “Amazing Grace” show he greatly was relieved when he wrote of his conversion “the hour I first believed.”

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Duke Beaufort

Date: 3/12/2025 6:52:00 PM

Andrea, interesting that he was captain of slave ships and an investor in the slave trade who did become an abolitionist. I wonder what changed his mind...that his opened him up to the idea that something was wrong with slavery.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/12/2025 9:54:00 PM

God. That was what changed him. He tells how God's spirit finally opened his eyes even though he had been Christian all along. To truly feel conversion must be a wonderful thing. I can only go by faith as I never have experienced actual conversion

Sara Kendrick

Date: 3/10/2025 5:24:00 PM

So delighted to see your winning work on Brian's winners' list. Way to go. Congratulations to you. Sara K

Jan Allison

Date: 3/10/2025 3:45:00 PM

excellent poem Andrea, guess its proof a leopard can change its spots! hugs jan xx

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/10/2025 10:09:00 AM

Congratulations on this wonderful write/win. I love this song... Have a fun/blessed day as you write away..................

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/10/2025 11:13:00 AM

Thanks, Paula.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 3/10/2025 6:17:00 AM

His new calling was heavenly! Great! I followed my Grandma’s coffin, out of her church, and alongside my parents, as this precious music was played. My heart tugs.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/10/2025 11:10:00 AM

wow!

wayne tolbert

Date: 3/10/2025 4:44:00 AM

John Newton's conversion was an amazing story of grace and redemption. I love the difference, "Mercy is not getting what we deserve while Grace is getting what we do not deserve." I agree with what Sara and Oliver wrote...Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:9 wrote that “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Thanks for writing this. May you have a blessed day. Makarios.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/10/2025 11:11:00 AM

Yes, there are so many details about his story. A clerihew cannot do it justice.

Sara Kendrick

Date: 3/9/2025 4:12:00 PM

Amazing Grace was written to the beat and tune that the slaves might have sung in the hull of the ship where they would be singing or humming as they rowed the ship that was taking them to slavery. Amazing how meeting the Holy Spirit can change a person. Thanks for sharing this one. Sara K

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/10/2025 11:12:00 AM

It was strange for me to learn that he was always a good man, yet here he was in the slave trade. So when he wrote that song, he truly had a conversion even as a Christian because he realized slavery was wrong.

Yann Rolland

Date: 3/9/2025 7:35:00 AM

always discovering new side and characters in your poem, it is quite interesting and refreshing, enjoyed

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/10/2025 11:12:00 AM

thanks, yann.

Oliver Mckeithan

Date: 3/9/2025 4:25:00 AM

Well said Andrea. What a turn around John made when he accepted Christ and wrote that most famous poem.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/10/2025 11:12:00 AM

thanks, Oliver. For sure!