Sublime Grace
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John Newton 1725 -1807
Timoteo and Lynn Anderson
Used with permission
According to the old system, Juan (John) Newton was born on July 24, but the calendar changed and the date
It is equivalent to August 4th. Thus, we celebrate this month (August 2007) 282 years since his birth, and on the 21st of
In December, we will commemorate the 200th anniversary of his death. There is a lot of information in English on
http://memory.loc.gov/cocoon/ihas/html/grace/grace-home.html
The sailor had drunk too much rum and gin. Although he couldn't swim, he clumsily tried to rescue.
the hat when a gust of wind took it to the sea. It is said that a drunken companion caught Juan
Newton of a certain death, burying a harpoon in his hip. The raging waves could not
to collect his victim, despite his foolishness. He frequently found himself in serious danger, but the young man
he always survived. Unfortunately, instead of thanking God, the bitter and addicted sailor
He took pleasure in proclaiming his disbelief, using obscene language and trying to harm the faith of others.
It seemed as if the prayers of his devoted dying mother had not been heard.
Juan had learned to read the Bible in his mother Elizabeth's lap when he was only 4 years old.
She sang him the hymns of Isaac Watts, who was a friend of the family, and her son learned all the
collection of songs for children. They lived in London, but Juan's father was a ship captain.
merchant and traveled for long months. Elizabeth fell ill with tuberculosis and died young, leaving
Very sad for her 6-year-old son. Before her death, she sought to teach him biblical principles and had
Praying to become a minister of the gospel. But his father was not interested in such topics.
spiritual and the widower married a woman who was also not God-fearing. Juan's sadness
it deepened when a little brother was born, and she felt that all the affection was directed towards him.
His father sent him to study at a boarding school at the age of 8. He liked mathematics and Latin, but due to
behavioral problems could not continue. So, at the age of 11, he started to travel with his dad,
Captain John Newton, working as a steward for 5 seasons in the Mediterranean. Perhaps because
his position, he felt it very distant and emotionally dry. Then his father left him in Alicante, Spain
as an apprentice, but that did not work out. Juan lacked discipline and had learned bad habits from
the rough sailors. When he was 17 years old, Captain Newton got him an opportunity to sail
heading to Jamaica to work on a plantation, but Juan did not show up at the time of departure. He was
in love, visiting his future wife, Mary (Polly) Catlett, a 14-year-old girl. (6 years later
they would marry and then share 40 years of happy marriage. When she passed away from cancer, a daughter
Adoptive took care of the elderly Juan, who wrote a book in memory of the love of his life.
Upon losing the trip to Jamaica, he was taken to serve in the naval service, but the strict conditions of
War was not to his liking. Therefore, he deserted, knowing that this crime warranted the death penalty.
He was soon found, although out of consideration for his father, he was only severely punished and
chained. Over time, the authorities allowed him to work on a ship that trafficked in
slaves. Their customs worsened until they became known as "the great blasphemer" who
he got drunk and cursed more than his companions.
He arrived in Sierra Leone in Africa and his chief was friendly until he heard false accusations against Juan.
Fortunately, he found another employer who treated him better. His father sent money with a friend captain to
to obtain his freedom, but they took the ransom and did not reveal where Juan was. By chance
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Juan was walking along the beach and managed to see the ship. He jumped into a canoe, reached the vessel, and thus
he began his return home. However, he never saw his father again, because after receiving 3 letters
of your prodigal son, drowned.
During their return, a hurricane caused destruction for 11 days on that ship 'Greyhound', and Juan and the
the rest of the crew were in terrible danger. Some sailors drowned trying to plug large
holes in the boat. Others were constantly pumping to stay afloat, but the immense
waves managed to drag the cargo and almost all the food. A second storm on March 10 (day 21,
The new calendar of 1748 marked a change in the 22-year-old skeptic when he cried out for mercy.
From God. Newton almost lost his physical life, but miraculously survived and also received life.
spiritual.
He had been reading Christian books that belonged to Captain Clunie, and he continued studying the Bible.
in Greek and Hebrew after his conversion. For a few years he piloted ships and worked as an officer of the
government on the dock of London, but he was actually preparing to shepherd a church in the
town of Olney, where he served for 16 years. His transformation was so remarkable that he became known
for his patience and wisdom. With great love and dedication, he preached, organized prayer services,
He visited the sick and cared for, along with his beloved Mary, those in need in their home. He had a meeting
weekly for children with an attendance of 200.
In Olney he wrote 280 hymns and compiled 68 of them with William Cowper in a hymnal, where
Sublime Grace
becoming the most recorded anthem in history. This beautiful musical testimony of the work of
Originally, the Lord had 6 verses, whose biblical reference was 1 Chronicles 17:16 and 17.
It has been said that Newton had the eye, heart, and tongue of a spiritual poet. He also had a tongue.
persuasive that he used to negotiate in times of conflict and to convince the English parliament, along with
with the Christian politician, Wilberforce, to abolish slavery and the slave trade. Pastored a
numerous congregation in London for 28 years.
He died at the age of 82 on December 21, 1807, physically blind, but with divine light in his.
heart. He himself prepared his epitaph, which says: 'Once an unfaithful and libertine servant of slaves in'
Africa was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST, restored, forgiven and
commissioned to preach the gospel, which he long sought to destroy.
Sublime Grace
Sublime grace of the Lord
That an unfortunate person saved;
I was blind but today I see,
Lost and he found me.
2. His grace taught me to fear;
My doubts have been dispelled;
Oh how precious it was to my being
When he transformed me!
3. In dangers or affliction
That I have had here,
His grace always freed me
And it will guide me happily.
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"Sublime Grace" CSG #300, FA #9, HB #183, LLB #7, GD #40, ElH #227, Majestic Hymns
#139, Mil Voces #203, Himnario Internacional #96, Sólo a Dios la Gloria #278
(Translation of the last 3 original stanzas)
Yes, the Lord promised me,
Consolation in the cruel world.
His holy will provided a shield,
The Bible, faithful hope.
Thus, when my heart fails
I trust in Your goodness;
The grave cannot take away the blessing,
My peace for eternity.
What snow the earth will end,
But He will remain.
Her light instead of the sun will shine already;
Forever my God will be.