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. Newton began to deeply regret his involvement in the Slave Trade. So popular was his preaching, that the church could not accommodate all those who flocked to hear him. ![]() He collaborated with William Cowper to produce a volume of hymns, including 'Amazing Grace'. He became well known for his pastoral care and respected by both Anglicans and nonconformists. On 17th June 1764, he finally became a priest at Olney in Buckinghamshire. It was seven years before he was accepted. In 1757, he applied for the Anglican priesthood. In 1754, after a serious illness, he gave up seafaring altogether. Slaves were lashed and put in thumbscrews to keep them quiet. Newton mounted guns and muskets on the desk aimed at the slaves' quarters. Slave revolts on board ship were frequent. He admitted that he was a ruthless businessman and a unfeeling observer of the Africans he traded. In 1750, he made a further voyage as master of the slave ship 'Duke of Argyle' and two voyages on the 'African'. ![]() 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.ĭespite this, he continued to participate in the Slave Trade. This experience began his conversion to evangelical Christianity. During a storm, when it was thought the ship might sink, he prayed for deliverance. In 1748, he was rescued by a sea captain and returned to England. He became a midshipman but after demotion for trying to desert, he requested an exchange to a slave ship bound for West Africa.Įventually he reached the coast of Sierra Leone where he became the servant of an abusive slave trader. ![]() 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. 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.Īt just 11 years old, Newton went to sea with his father. John Newton was an Anglican clergyman and former slave ship master.
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