Spotlight of the Week

John Newton

John Newton is an interesting character that shows the powers up God's conversion of the soul. Born in 1725 in London the son of a shipmaster. John's mother died while he was young and while his father was sailing he lived with his fathers new wife. He sailed voyages with his father and his father intended him to work at a sugar plantation in Jamaica but he joined the service of a ship in the Mediterranean like his father instead . He was later captured and presses into service into the Royal Navy. As a midshipment he was discontented and tried to escape. For his trouble he was stripped and tied to the ship and whipped. He contemplated killing the captain and throwing himself overboard but finally thought better of it. 

John finally joined another ship and became involved in the slave trade with Africa. On board the Pegasus he became a constant problem so they left him in Africa with a slave owner, John himself now becoming a slave.   John was finally rescued by a captain sent by his father to find him. During a powerful storm on his way back to England John woke in the night with the boat filling with water. He cried out to God for deliverance and some of the cargo moved around in such a way as to fill the whole in the ship. After this, John started praying and reading a Bible. From that day on he gave up drinking, swearing, gambling and all other evils but did continue working in the slave trade. He became known for his gentle treatment of the slaves. 

John became an Anglican priest in 1757 after giving up the ship and slave trade. He was well known for his faith and people would come to him when they had questions about their faith, one of those being William Wilberforce. Finally in 1788 he spoke out against slavery and became an abolitionist, tied closely with Mr Wilberforce and living to see the passage of the Slave trade act of 1807 like Mr Wilberforce. 

After hearing the life struggles of this man you can now see a little clearer as to how this man could write the words so well in his famous hymn, Amazing Grace. God's grace was truly powerful and life changing in John's life. 

Spotlight of the Week William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce

One of the pioneers who fought for the complete abolition of slavery was William Wilberforce. William spent 50 years fighting to end slavery in England. It was said that he was very small in stature, almost a dwarf and that he was also hunched back. He wasn't much to look at but it was said that when he got on a table to speak he became a giant. 

William was born to some privilege and enjoyed a comfortable life. He was traveling in Europe when he read The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul by Philip Doddridge. After this he started reading his bible and praying regularly. He became a supporter of evangelical Christianity and from this and his love for Jesus Christ he become opposed to slavery. He took on abolition as a mission in his life. 

He was told even by religious leaders at the time that what he wanted was an impossible thing and that he would never see the end of slavery. He eventually he had to give up parliament because of failing health, and on his death bed on July 26th 1833 he was told that Bill for the Abolition of Slavery was passed; and he passed away three days later.