Amazing Grace and the story of John Newton Sik-Lam Wong 黄锡林 January 2013 NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

Amazing Grace and Abolition of Slavery in England John NewtonWilliam Wilberforce

John Newton ( ) John’s father was a captain and his mother died when he was six –Mother was a Christian and provided Christian influence John Newton went to sea at age of 11 with his father till his father’s retirement in 1742 – Pressed into service ( 被拉夫 ) in the British Navy in 1743 and worked as midshipman ( 海军官学生 ) – Tried to desert and was publicly flogged ( 鞭打 ) and demoted to a common seaman – Later able to exchange duties in British Navy to work in slave ship – Working conditions on slave ships were BAD!

Slave Trade Supporting Plantations in America Plantations in Caribbean and North America needed lots of slaves Malaria and tropical diseases were common and many workers would die Cheaper to buy slaves than hire workers Triangular Trade Ships would carry goods from Europe to West Africa to sell or trade for slaves Slaves were usually kidnapped against their will

Triangular Trade: Europe-West Africa- America Ships would carry goods from Europe to West Africa to sell or trade for slaves –Slaves were usually kidnapped against their will From West Africa to Caribbean and North America where slaves were auctioned off like cattle Ships would return to Europe with materiel from Caribbean and North America to Europe –Sugar/molasses 糖蜜, tobacco etc

Slaves Packed like Books on Bookshelves

Many Slaves Died during Voyage from Africa to America Slaves would rebel and be killed Many would commit suicide –Some would refuse to eat and were forced-fed or beaten till they would eat –Others would jump into the sea Many more died from diseases Slave trade was a dirty business that most sailors would not do –Often times prisoners ( 囚犯当水手 ) John Newton chose slave trade to escape from the Navy

John Newton The Tough Guy John Newton the did not change his ways after he joined the slave trade – Rebellious and profane – Got himself into trouble again and was pressed into slavery in Sierra Leone ( 塞拉利昂 ) – Ransomed in 1748 by a sea captain sent by his father

John Newton The Changed Person John Newton changed after his experience as slave – Cried out to God for help in storm on return trip to England on the Greyhound 5/10/1748 – Cried out “Lord help us” when the ship was taking in water – Dedicated his life to God when he was sick during a voyage to West Africa in 1749 – Also influenced by his childhood sweetheart and wife Mary Catlett whom he married in 1750 – Did not quit slave trade till 1754 when he had a stroke

John Newton The Minister John Newton studied for the ministry and became priest in the Church of England in 1764, first in Olney and since 1779 in London – Strongly influenced by John Wesley and George Whitefield – John Newton was a popular preacher: church had to be expanded Wrote “Amazing Grace” probably in late 1772 and used it in a prayer meeting –William Cowper: another hymn writer collaborating with John Newton

John Newton The Abolitionist Counseled William Wilberforce to stay in politics to fight for banning of slave trade: “serve God where you are” Published “Thoughts Upon Slave Trade” in 1788 to talk about the horrific conditions of the slave ships Lived to see the passage of the Slave Trade Act in March , before he died in December of 1807 –Slave Trade Act: No ship flying the British flag could engage in slave trade

William Wilberforce ( ) Member of Parliament starting 1780 at age of 21 Became Christian in 1785 Influenced by abolitionists since 1787and worked on abolition of slave trade – Influenced also by John Newton and William Pitt Slave Trade Act passed in 1807 to ban ships flying to British flag to participate in slave trade Slavery Abolition Act to ban slavery passed in August 1833, one month after his death – Wilberforce heard of the government concessions which would guarantee passage of bill, three days before his death

Amazing Grace 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. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! Lyrics: John Newton 1773 Put to the tune “New Britain” by William Walker 1835

Amazing Grace-Cont’d Through many dangers, toils, and snares, We have already come; 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. When we’ve been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun We’ll have no less days to sing God’s grace Then when we’ve first begun