Hello vintage,
Thank you for your question.
You'll find the answer at the Cowper and Newton Museum:
http://www.mkheritage.co.uk/cnm/htmlpages/amazing.html
It was created by Rev John Newton:
"This well known and well loved hymn contains unmistakable references
to Newton's early life and experiences, particularly his conversion to
Christianity following his miraculous survival from a storm in 1748.
It all began one morning in about 1772 when the curate of Olney Church
took as his text the opening words of David's prayer in 1 Chronicles
chapter 17:
And David the king came and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I O
LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
And yet this was a small thing in mine yes, O God; for thou hast also
spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast
regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD
God.
Then he explained to his audience how David had come to this point in
his life. Praising God for His care, His mercy and forgiveness, and
His provision for the future.
And all of that to one so insignificant, so unworthy.
Reflecting upon the preserving grace of God to him in his turbulent
seafaring days, Newton wrote a poem for that meeting to illustrate the
gist of his message. He called it ÔFaith's Review and Expectation'.
It went like this:
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd 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 reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ'd!
Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis'd good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be for ever mine.
As he presented his latest hymn to the congregation that morning,
neither the author of it, nor those who learnt it verse by verse,
could have had the slightest inkling as to how God, in His wonderful
wisdom, was set to use this simple song about His amazing grace in the
years to come..."
This page will give you more history on John Newton:
http://www.mkheritage.co.uk/cnm/htmlpages/newton1.html
"Before his conversion to evangelical Christianity in 1748, John
Newton had led an adventure-filled life as a master of a slave ship.
He wrote of his experiences in his autobiography 'An Authentic
Narrative' published in 1764.
Following retirement from the sea, Newton became Surveyor of the Tides
in Liverpool, during which time he studied Greek, Hebrew and Theology.
He married Mary Catlett in 1750: they had no children. Newton was
ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1764..."
If you care for even more history on this song, you can buy this book
at Amazon for only $16.77:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060002182/002-1388319-7526415?vi=glance
Amazing Grace : The Story of America's Most Beloved Song
by Steve Turner (Author)
Search Strategy:
"amazing grace" +origin OR history
I trust my research has provided your answer. If a link above should
fail to work or anything require further explanation or research,
please do post a Request for Clarification prior to rating the answer
and closing the question and I will be pleased to assist further.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
