Sunday: John Newton's Abolitionist Campaign Against Slavery. Blindness, in this sense, is used both metaphorically (to refer to someone who was ignorant but later became knowledgeable) and literally, as a reference to those healed in the Bible. Newton was one of only two evangelical Anglican priests in the capital, and he soon found himself gaining in popularity amongst the growing evangelical party. John Brown was born on May 9, 1800, in Torrington, Connecticut, and was the son of an abolitionist tanner. Newton became an ally of William Wilberforce, leader of the Parliamentary campaign to abolish the African slave trade. Answer: John Newton (1725—1807) was a Christian, abolitionist, and hymn writer best known for his song “Amazing Grace.”. He supplemented Newton's stipend of £60 a year with £200 a year "for hospitality and to help the poor". Newton sailed six voyages before his father retired in 1742. [10], In 1748, during his return voyage to England aboard the ship Greyhound, Newton had a spiritual conversion. John Newton contributed to this number, as he estimated that around half of all slaves he transported died during the journey to their destinations (Newton 35). [27] Plagued by ill health and failing eyesight, Newton died on 21 December 1807 in London. While Newton is not directly responsible for all of these things, his role as a slave trader connects him to all of these consequences of slavery. Durnford, Revd. However, this was very short-lived as he was captured by the British Navy while on a trading voyage in 1743. Following that disgrace and humiliation, Newton initially contemplated murdering the captain and committing suicide by throwing himself overboard. And I believe we should as well. In 1767 William Cowper, the poet, moved to Olney. The ship is delivered and so is a young John Newton. Starting his career at sea, at a young age, he became involved with the slave trade for a few years. During this period, he also applied to the Methodists, Independents and Presbyterians. Hansebooks, 2017. After publishing his famous book Thoughts Upon the African Slave Trade in 1788, Newton became one of the most public and influential voices of the movement. By taking part in the slave trade, Newton had a direct connection to the horrors of the trade and ultimately the colonization that followed. John Newton John Newton's sermons became famous and many supporters came to his church in London to hear his speeches. This book led him to become involved with the abolitionist movement. It will always be a subject of humiliating reflection to me, that I was once an active instrument in a business at which my heart now shudders." This experience marked the beginning of his conversion to Christianity. "[13], Newton returned in 1748 to Liverpool, a major port for the Triangle Trade. John Newton, once the master of a slave ship, later converted to Christ and became one of the world's most beloved pastors, was an abolitionist and composer of the hymn 'amazing grace. At age 11, Newton went on his first of six sea-voyages with the merchant navy captain. After publishing his famous book. This realization led him to pursue a career as a priest back in England. In regards to John Newton’s affiliation with Christianity, he was very interested with the religion from the point of his official conversion in 1748. He was buried beside his wife in St. Mary Woolnoth in London. However, even though he committed himself to living a religious life in 1748, it was not until 40 years later in 1788 that he became a vocal opponent to the slavery industry (Newton). Born in 1725 in London, John Newton had an early interest in the sailing industry. It would certainly make me more comfortable to believe that once Newton became a believer that he immediately moved towards a position of abominating a practice so obviously erroneous as man-stealing. John Newton (1725-1807) first worked as a slave buyer in Africa and later moved on to the position of captain on slave ships. Dunn, John. During his time as a slave trader, Newton began to realize just how wrong the trade was, but he didn’t do anything about it. He admitted that he knew what he was doing was wrong and completely immoral, yet he did not cut ties until well after he left the trade. Toronto: John Newton: Slave Trader Turned Abolitionist, During a particularly treacherous voyage in 1748 (prior to having his own ship), John Newton feared that his life was coming to an end. CBN.com – The year 2007 marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in England.Viewers across America have been moved by the portrayal of parliamentarian William Wilberforce’s pivotal role in the crusade against slavery in the film Amazing Grace. [17] Newton's niece Alys Newton later married Mehul, a prince from India.[18]. John Newton (/ˈnjuːtən/; 4 August [O.S. Haweis suggested Newton for the living of Olney, Buckinghamshire. John Newton’s involvement in both the slave trade and abolitionist movements make him a very interesting figure in British history; his impact was large and he played a key role in furthering the British civilizing mission as well as the abolition of slavery. 24 July] 1725 – 21 December 1807) was an English Anglican cleric, a captain of slave ships who later became an abolitionist, and an investor of trade. Wilberforce was a member of the British Parliament and led the abolition movement in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. Young churchmen and people struggling with faith sought his advice, including such well-known social figures as the writer and philanthropist Hannah More, and the young William Wilberforce, a Member of Parliament (MP) who had recently suffered a crisis of conscience and religious conversion while contemplating leaving politics. It was later described as "written in an easy style, distinguished by great natural shrewdness, and sanctified by the Lord God and prayer". Some years after experiencing a conversion to Christianity, Newton later renounced his trade and became a prominent supporter of abolitionism. He awoke to find the ship caught in a severe storm off the coast of Donegal, Ireland and about to sink. He later moved to Aveley where he lived with his father and his newly married wife. Clowe took Newton to the coast and gave him to his wife, Princess Peye of the Sherbro people. His religion was something near and dear to Newton’s heart, and while it did not play the deciding role in his conversion to abolitionist views, it definitely played a part. Latest from the Blog ... We are standing here at the tree where William Wilberforce decided to pursue the abolitionist campaign in 1788. His friendship with Dissenters and evangelical clergy led to his being respected by Anglicans and Nonconformists alike. These views were presented in the form of his book titled, So how does John Newton fit into the British Empire and what kind of impact did his work have? Coast of Africa (London: J. Phillips, 1788). He would later harness this passion and become an ordained minister and preach to his own congregation and also write many famous hymns. He spent sixteen years at Olney. Newton was instrumental in converting Scott from a cynical ‘career priest’ to a true believer, a conversion which Scott related in his spiritual autobiography The Force Of Truth (1779). In 1788, 34 years after he had retired from the slave trade, Newton broke a long silence on the subject with the publication of a forceful pamphlet Thoughts Upon the Slave Trade, in which he described the horrific conditions of the slave ships during the Middle Passage. In the musical, John abjures slavery immediately after his shipboard epiphany and sails to Barbados to search for and buy the freedom of Thomas. If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. He spent a short time working with the Navy as a deckhand, but had constant conflicts with the captain of his ship which ultimately led to his decision to leave the Navy. He was born in east London. On 29 April 1764 Newton received deacon's orders, and finally was ordained as a priest on 17 June. From that point on, he avoided profanity, gambling and drinking. Thoughts Upon the African Slave Trade. I cannot consider myself to have been a believer in the full sense of the word, until a considerable time afterwards."[13]. 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