"I stood in need of an Almighty Saviour, and such an one I found described in the New Testament. The Lord had wrought a marvelous thing: I was no longer an infidel. I heartily renounced my former profaneness; was seriously disposed, and sincerely touched with a sense of undeserved mercy in being brought safe through so many dangers; I was sorry for my past misspent life…; was freed from the habit of swearing which seemed to have been deeply rooted in me as a second nature. To all appearance, I was a new man." (Out of the Depths P.82-83)
However, his faith journey was not to be smooth sailing. His spiritual development was slow and gradual. He learned 'the things of the Lord here a little and there a little'. All in all, it took him six years to be grounded in truth and growing in grace.
His love life, on the other hand, was more successful. After 'his father paid visit to his friends in Kent, and gave his consent' for John to marry his childhood sweetheart, Mary (Polly), elder daughter of George and Elizabeth Catlett, he proposed to her in writing, since he 'always was exceedingly awkward in pleading his own cause in their conversation'. Mary accepted and 'accordingly their hands were joined on February 1, 1750, at St. Margaret's Church in Rochester, Kent.'(Out of the Depths P.86-87) (John Newton by Richard Cecil P.63)
As for employment the newly married man didn't have to look far. Considering he was born and raised in a sea captain's home, and given his extensive experience on the open sea from an early age, John naturally chose a seafaring career.
From sea-farer to slave trader
The slave trade industry, in those days, was a thriving business. John, now a sea captain in his own right, got entangled in it. Over the next four years, he commanded the following 'slave trade' trips:
From August 1750 to October 1751 - Master of the duke of Argyle Slave trader.
From June 1752 to August 1753 - Master of the African Slave trader 1st Voyage.
From October 1753 to August 1754 - Master of the African Slave trader 2nd Voyage.
In regard to slave trading, a subject that became a hot issue later on in his life, John, with his mixed up views, was confused to say the least:
On the one hand, he 'never had the least scruple as to its lawfulness'. On the other hand, he was 'shocked with an employment that was perpetually connected with chains, bolts and shackles'. (Out of the Depths P.115)
In any case, he 'endeavoured to treat them with humanity, and set a good example.' He also 'established public worship, according to the liturgy twice every Lord's day'. (Out of the Depths P.100-101)
Given his weak spiritual diet and therefore weak spiritual discernment, it's no wonder! His spiritual 'turning point' came in 1754 with the following two major events:
1. Meeting and learning from Alexander Clunie, a captain from a London ship, at St Kitts (also known as St. Christopher), West Indies. This 'instrument of good' who 'taught him from the Bible and encouraged him to pray extempore' was 'a neighbour and friend of his mother's pastor'. John wrote:
"...For nearly a month we spent every evening together on board each other's ship alternately and often prolonged our visits till towards daybreak. I was all ear; He not only increased my understanding, but his teaching warmed my heart. He encouraged me to open my mouth in social prayer; He taught me the advantage of Christian conversation; he put me upon an attempt to make my profession more public, and to venture to speak for God… and finally directed me where to apply in London for further instruction." (Out of the Depths P.114-115)
2. Making a decision to leave the slave trade, just one day before going on a new voyage. John wrote:
"…In the afternoon as I was sitting with Mrs. Newton, drinking tea, and talking over past events, I was taken by a seizure which deprived me of sense and motion, and left me no sign of life but that of breathing. It lasted about an hour. When I recovered, a pain and dizziness in my head induced the physicians to judge it would not be safe or prudent for me to proceed on the voyage. By the advice of my friend to whom the ship belonged, I resigned the command the day before she sailed." (Out of the Depths P.116)
With the love of Christ
Peter Rahme
Pastor - Inner West Baptist Church
(Taken from Pastor Rahme new book -'The Man & The Story Behind Amazing Grace'.
To order call (02) 9742 5716; or visit www.amazinggrace.org.au)