AMAZING GRACE

AMAZING GRACE

I just finished reading a historical fiction book based on the life of John Newton, the "slave-ship captain turned pastor" and composer of the hymn AMAZING GRACE. Most of our hymnals include five of the seven stanzas from the original hymn. May these words penned by one who was overwhelmed by the grace and mercy of God, be a stimulant to you this morning as you prepare to worship HIM -- the Author and Perfector 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.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear.
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun;
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun.

The following epitaph penned by John Newton himself, is inscribed in marble resting beside the pulpit in his church:

John Newton
Clerk
Once and infidel and libertine,
A servant of slaves in Africa,
Was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ,
Preserved, Restored, Pardoned,
And appointed to preach the faith
He had long labored to destroy!