On this day (283 years ago) John Newton was born. I recently read a biography of John Newton, Once Blind: The Life of John Newton, by Kay Marshall Strom. It is a fascinating read! Some chapters were very difficult to get through because Newton was such a blasphemous troublemaker. I found myself reading faster and faster just to get to the good part: Newton’s rebirth! I couldn’t wait to reach the point of his life when God totally changed him; the hope of his redemption kept me going. I understand so much better now how Newton could write a song like “Amazing Grace.”

I found this clip about John Newton on YouTube. Enjoy!