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Hymn Reflection:
How many times have you heard the hymn ''Amazing Grace''? It's not only played at church but also at national events, ceremonies, and funerals. Ever wonder where it came from? In our 2nd Hymn Review, we'll learn about the history of one of the best-known hymns of our time.

Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound
Tune: Amazing Grace
Writer: John Newton
Meter: 8.6.8.6 (CM)

The words to Amazing Grace were first published in 1779, written by a minister named John Newton. While it doesn't seem surprising that a man of the cloth would write a piece about God's salvation, the story behind the words and the man is more complex than you would think.

A Sailor's Life

John Newton was born in 1725. His mother was religious, but his father commanded a merchant ship and young John was sailing with him by age 11. In 1744, John was impressed into the British Navy, which means he was taken forcibly and made to join. Another term for it was press-ganging, and it was a common means of gaining military recruits in eighteenth-century Britain. But Newton was obstinate and headstrong and at one point tried to desert (leave without permission), for which he was demoted as punishment.

Newton ended up in service on a slave ship off the African coast. Again his temper and mouth got him into trouble, and he ended up being restrained and starved for his behavior by a tyrannical slave trader (his boss!). He was eventually rescued, and by 1748, was captaining his own ship in the slave trade. All of this, by the way, happened before he was 23 years old.

It would seem his life's pattern had been set. Sailors had little time for religion, with long hours, backbreaking work in confined quarters, and months at sea. Plenty of salty language came with the life, and Newton was known for his profanity.

A Developing Faith and Amazing Grace

But, in 1748, he began to change. His ship, the Greyhound, became caught in a terrible storm, and he spent time lashed to the deck to keep from being swept overboard. It shook him and awakened a newfound sense of humility. He briefly continued in the slave trade, but illness forced him on land permanently by the time he was 30.

A sense of service began to grow in him, and Newton studied to become a minister. In 1764, he was ordained in the Church of England. He eventually came to renounce the slave trade, and later became an ardent abolitionist, someone who fought publicly to end the slavery.

Newton accepted a position as a church curate in Olney in Buckingshire, England. The poet William Cowper moved to Olney a few years later, and the two began collaborating on a book of poems to be used in church services. At the time, hymns didn't have specific music connected to them the way they do today. The words to Amazing Grace first appeared in 1779, in an edition of poems published in Olney.
1 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.

2 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

3 Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

4 The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

5 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.

6 The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine.

Dear Brethren,
As we are aligning ourselves with the government directives on frequent washing of our hands, distancing ourselves from the crowd and self isolation in an extreme case: Remember this is the time to be closer to God than ever: if you are a family of two, it's enough to hold a house fellowship (Mt.18:20) If you have Our Daily Trumpet Devotional you are good to go.
Also read your Bible regularly, pray to God for mercy upon the world, sing hymns and melody to His Holy name.
Alll these will enable you to carry His presence with you.
God Divine Protection will be upon each and everyone of us in this Critical time. His promise not to leave nor forsake us will be fulfill in our lives in Jesus Mighty Name.

NB: Remember the Brethren in the vineyard
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Almighty God will bless you as you do. Thanks