Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

Most Definitely – Amazing! Column for the weeks of March 1-15, 2007

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The new movie Amazing Grace by Bristol Bay Productions is the story of William Wilberforce, a British statesman and reformer who championed the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 19 th century England. During one scene, William in an impromptu moment of passion, hops on a table in a popular pub filled with politicians and sings the first verse of Amazing Grace, attributing the song to “…my old preacher-friend who was a slave ship captain for twenty years…” He dedicates the performance to the Duke of Clarence, son of the King of England, who is there. It was William’s way of showing that change was coming in England.

The “old preacher friend” Wilberforce referred to was John Newton who was once his pastor. So it should not surprise us that the song Amazing Grace would be featured in this movie. Of course, as with so many songs that play a prominent role in history, legends filled with half truths circulate about their origins. This should not diminish our affection for the song, but let’s appreciate it for what it says, not for how people think it came to be.

Here is one myth about Amazing Grace: John Newton was the captain of a slave ship hauling slaves from Africa to the United States. He became overcome with guilt, turned back to Africa, and set the slaves free. He then wrote Amazing Grace to explain the epiphany he had and why he abandoned the slave trade.

Another says: John Newton, a young slave trader and ship captain, was carrying slaves through the Middle Passage. A raging storm thrashed the ship to and fro. Newton made a bargain with God. If God would save their lives, he would set the slaves free. God calmed the sea. Newton set the slaves free, gave up the slave trade, became a preacher, and wrote Amazing Grace.

According to Christine Schaub, author of The Longing Season about Newton, these are definitely myths. Her extensive research and that of Kenneth Osbeck, author of 101 Hymn Stories tell a slightly different story.

Newton had a very hard life. He was only 11 when he began life as a seaman. Newton was around 23 when a storm at sea made him question his life choices. However, he was not the captain of the ship, but a passenger. The ship wasn’t carrying any slaves, but ivory, gold, and beeswax. This storm was instrumental in his conversion, but it was escaping with his life intact that inspired him, not guilt over the slave trade. Although, he had worked on slave ships before, he didn’t become a slave ship captain until after he became a Christian. To his credit, he did try to improve conditions for the slaves he carried, but when he did give up the slave trade, it was because of illness, not conscience.

Then, for nine years Newton worked as a clerk. During this time he felt he was being called to ministry. He studied diligently and at the age of thirty-nine was ordained by the Anglican Church. He pastored in the little village of Olney. Newton was most effective in his ministry – baring his soul to his congregation, using stories of his early life, sharing how he felt, and pointing people to God. During this time he wrote several hymns to express his faith. Amazing Grace was one of them.

Newton wrote Amazing Grace for a New Year’s Day service around 1770. It was based on a study he was doing on 1 Chronicles 17:16, 17. “King David…said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?...” Newton really didn’t express regret about his part in the slave trade until much later in his ministry. In 1785 he began to speak out against it and continued to do so until his death in 1807.

Of course, this story is not quite as dynamic as the myths, but does give a more honest depiction of the Christian journey. Newton’s spiritual growth was gradual. In time he became one of the most powerful preachers in British history, an author of hundreds of hymns, and ardent supporter of abolishing slave trade. Through him we learn that for most of us, conversion is a process, not an epiphany. Newton’s words explain that process:

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.

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.