Posted on 06/19/2021 4:13:53 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
John Newton was an Anglican clergyman and former slave ship master. It took him a long time to speak out against the Slave Trade but he had an influence on many young evangelical Christians, particularly William Wilberforce.
At just 11 years old, Newton went to sea with his father. In 1743 he was on his way to a position as a slave master on a plantation in Jamaica, when he was pressed into naval service. He became a midshipman but after demotion for trying to desert, he requested an exchange to a slave ship bound for West Africa.
Eventually he reached the coast of Sierra Leone where he became the servant of an abusive slave trader. In 1748, he was rescued by a sea captain and returned to England. During a storm, when it was thought the ship might sink, he prayed for deliverance. This experience began his conversion to evangelical Christianity. Later, whilst aboard a slave vessel bound for the West Indies, he became ill with a violent fever and asked for God's mercy; an experience he claimed was the turning point in his life.
Despite this, he continued to participate in the Slave Trade. In 1750, he made a further voyage as master of the slave ship 'Duke of Argyle' and two voyages on the 'African'. He admitted that he was a ruthless businessman and a unfeeling observer of the Africans he traded. Slave revolts on board ship were frequent. Newton mounted guns and muskets on the desk aimed at the slaves' quarters. Slaves were lashed and put in thumbscrews to keep them quiet.
In 1754, after a serious illness, he gave up seafaring altogether. In 1757, he applied for the Anglican priesthood. It was seven years before he was accepted. On 17th June 1764, he finally became a priest at Olney in Buckinghamshire. He became well known for his pastoral care and respected by both Anglicans and nonconformists.
He collaborated with William Cowper to produce a volume of hymns, including 'Amazing Grace'. So popular was his preaching, that the church could not accommodate all those who flocked to hear him. Newton began to deeply regret his involvement in the Slave Trade. After he became Rector of St Mary Woolnoth, in London in 1779, his advice was sought by many influential figures in Georgian society, among them the young M.P., William Wilberforce. Wilberforce was contemplating leaving politics for the ministry. Newton encouraged him to stay in Parliament and "serve God where he was". Wilberforce took his advice, and spent the rest of his life working towards the abolition of slavery.
In 1787, Newton wrote a tract supporting the campaign, 'Thoughts upon the African Slave Trade', which was very influential. It graphically described the horrors of the Slave Trade and his role in it. He later joined William Wilberforce in the campaign for abolition of the Slave Trade. In February 1807, when the act to abolish the Slave Trade finally became law, John Newton, nearly blind and near death, "rejoiced to hear the wonderful news."
waiting for Amazing Grace to be declared “racist”. If they can do it to birds they can do it to hymns.
Amazing Grace was virtually the Anthem of the civil rights movement. Of course, since MLK and his dream are all but cancelled, killing Amazing Grace isn't so far fetched. BLM and their Marxist scum don't deserve such a beautiful hymn anyway...
Knowing how wokesters think, it’s likely. Repentance of the slave trade is meaningless.
In the woke religion, there is no repentance, there is no salvation, there is only condemnation. This even if the accusation is blatantly false.
Wokism is the work of the Devil.
Eventually everything will cancel itself out but that progressive ride is sure worth it because it just feels good!
👍👍👍👍👍
And this is how it’s supposed to work. He repented and spent the rest of his life helping to rid the evil.
The problem with cancel culture is there is no grace, no forgiveness, no working together to help overcome evil.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A1IL1E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I know that slavery still exists. It has existed since the beginning of time. The that that the western world eliminated it in their part of the world is actually a miracle.
What is it on the same plantation where Kamala Harris ancestors lived?
Agree !
Agree !
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