John Newton (1725 – 1807) was an English Anglican clergyman and abolitionist. He began a career at sea at the age of eleven. Within a few years he was working on a slave ship, becoming a slave himself for a short time. Upon his return from West Africa he continued to work in the slave trade for another six years. He then turned to religious study and became a well known lay minister until he was finally ordained as a priest in 1764. Years later he published a pamphlet entitled Thoughts Upon the Slave Trade, and became a voice in the campaign to abolish the African slave trade. He is best known for his hymn, Amazing Grace.
Quotes by John Newton…
Many have puzzled themselves about the origin of evil. I am content to observe that there is evil, and that there is a way to escape from it; and with this I begin and end.
If two angels were sent down from heaven — one to conduct an empire, and the other to sweep a street — they would feel no inclination to change employments.
