Olney Hymns

“Amazing Grace”

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John Newton (1725-1807), the author of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” was born in London, the son of a pious mother who died when he was only seven years of age. His only “schooling” was from his eighth to his tenth year. He was engaged in the African slave trade for several years and was even himself held as a slave at one time in Sierra Leone. He bragged of his sinful nature but was converted in a storm at sea while returning from Africa. He married a devout Christian in 1750 and became a minister in the Established Church in 1758, preaching at a church in Olney, near Cambridge. He remained here for nearly sixteen years, becoming friends with the poet William Cowper, who was joint author with him of the Olney Hymns in 1779. Soon after the appearance of this volume, he moved to London where he was rector of St. Mary Woolnoth. Newton wrote his own epitaph, which included the following:  John Newton, once an infidel and libertine, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, and pardoned, and appointed to preach the Faith he had long labored to destroy.

Impact: “Amazing Grace” is probably the most beloved song ever written and has had a lasting influence on believers and nonbelievers alike to this day.

AMAZING GRACE

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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.

‘Twas 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 hath 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.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

About the writer: John Newton was born in London in 1725. His mother, a pious woman, died when he was only seven years of age. His only “schooling” was from his eighth to his tenth year. He was engaged in the African slave trade for several years and was even himself held as a slave at one time in Sierra Leone. He bragged of his sinful nature but was converted in a storm at sea while returning from Africa. He married a devout Christian in 1750 and became a minister in the Established Church in 1758, preaching at a church in Olney, near Cambridge. He remained here for nearly sixteen years, becoming friends with the poet William Cowper, who was joint author with him of the Olney Hymns, 1779. Soon after the appearance of this volume, he moved to London where he was rector of St. Mary Woolnoth. He died in 1807. Newton wrote his own epitaph, which included the following:  John Newton, once an infidel and libertine, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, and pardoned, and appointed to preach the Faith he had long labored to destroy.

Key Verse: “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” –John 9:25

Newton, John

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John Newton (1725-1807), the author of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” was born in London, the son of a pious mother who died when he was only seven years of age. His only “schooling” was from his eighth to his tenth year. He was engaged in the African slave trade for several years and was even himself held as a slave at one time in Sierra Leone. He bragged of his sinful nature but was converted in a storm at sea while returning from Africa. He married a devout Christian in 1750 and became a minister in the Established Church in 1758, preaching at a church in Olney, near Cambridge. He remained here for nearly sixteen years, becoming friends with the poet William Cowper, who was joint author with him of the Olney Hymns, 1779. Soon after the appearance of this volume he moved to London where he was rector of St. Mary Woolnoth. Newton wrote his own epitaph, which included the following:  John Newton, once an infidel and libertine, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, and pardoned, and appointed to preach the Faith he had long labored to destroy. He was an influential minister in his time but his hymn “Amazing Grace” has had lasting influence on believers and nonbelievers alike to this day.

Cowper, William

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William Cowper (1731-1800) was born in Hertfordshire, England. His father, Reverend John Cowper, was a chaplain to George II. He spent ten years in Westminster School and then began reading law; abandoning it for literature after a very brief practice. He became the most distinguished poet of the English language in the latter half of the 18th century. Despite this he suffered from debilitating depression. In 1767 he moved to Olney, the home of John Newton. Cowper was a constant and prayerful attendant at Newton’s church services; especially his cottage prayer meetings, for which nearly all of his hymns were written at Newton’s request. The Olney Hymns, 1779, was their joint production; 78 of them coming from Cowper. His resolve and willingness to accomplish great things for God despite emotional burdens has long served as a source of encouragement for those who suffer from depression.