Amazing Grace: John Newton exemplified 'the great doctrine of love'

According to theologian Jim Packer, John Newton was ‘the friendliest, wisest, humblest and least pushy of the 18th -century evangelical leaders’. At a recent church history lecture by Dr Lesley Rowe, Leicestershire folk were also pleased to learn that Newton had a special place in his heart for the county and visited on several occasions.

Newton was motherless from the age of six, boarded at a harsh school from the age of eight, taken to sea at 11 and an accomplished blasphemer by age 12. He was press-ganged into the Navy, flogged, enslaved and, famously, became captain of a slave-trading ship.

It was during a storm at sea that Newton first turned to God: his dramatic autobiography was published in1764, the same year he began his ministry as curate at Olney.

A prolific letter-writer, Newton was known for his kindness and good humour, especially his fellowship with dissenters and friendship with William Cowper.

Driven by compassion to relieve physical and mental suffering, Newton also bought an ‘electrical machine’ on the advice of John Wesley. Three afternoons a week were devoted to his ‘patients’ who received prayer and spiritual conversation as well as static electricity!

Newton’s support for the abolitionists (including Wilberforce), promotion of mission (Carey), hymn writing, and devotion to his wife, orphaned nieces and flock, are well-documented. ‘He loved all who loved the Saviour’ (The Autobiography of the Rev.William Jay, 1854) and exemplified ‘the great doctrine of love, which is the life and soul of the gospel’ (Ministry on My Mind, John Newton, 1758).