Not far from Junction 14 of the M1 is the beautiful old market town of Olney. Famous for it’s annual pancake race, it is also described as the ‘Home of 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
Christians all over the world sing this beautiful hymn written by John Newton in 1773. It is a hymn of redemption particularly relevant to Newton who had once been a slave trader and then, through a dramatic conversion in the stormy ocean, became a Christian, then a Church of England minister and abolitionist. He was the rector of the Church in Olney for many years and became known for writing new hymns relevant to his sermon each Sunday.
Newton’s story proves that even the worst of humans can find peace in Jesus. From being captain of a slave ship, Newton became one of the key people behind the abolition of the slave trade in 1807. The bible says in Ephesians 2 verse 8; For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God.
The hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ is a perfect description of Newton’s conversion and the experience of all Christians.