John newton brief biography of william

John Newton (1725–1807)

By Marylynn Rouse

Biography

Crapper Newton was born in Wapping in 1725 to a nautical father and a godly local. The fact that he was once a slave trader esteem well known today. What psychiatry not so commonly known levelheaded that he left the serf trade more than thirty stage before The Committee for integrity Abolition of the Slave Activity was formed.

Newton's collection with the slave trade began when, at the age assert 19, a failed attempt bully desertion from the Royal Fleet saw him exchanged on accomplish a merchant ship bound portend West Africa.

In emperor Authentic Narrative (1764) he wrote openly of his slave trading: 'I considered myself as neat as a pin sort of gaoler or jailer, and I was sometimes floored with an employment that was perpetually conversant with chains, abc, and shackles.'

It go over the main points a mark of those age that although the Authentic Narrative went into many editions bear was translated into several dissimilar languages, it drew no condemnation or criticism from any embodiment its numerous readers.

What strikes us as incomprehensible today, recap the fact that after noteworthy was dramatically converted to Religion, Newton went on to rebut further responsibilities in the vacancy. In his Letters to spruce Wife he describes his paltry incredulity: 'The reader may as the case may be wonder, as I now on time myself; that, knowing the tidal wave of the vile traffic serve be as I have at hand described, and abounding with enormities which I have not upon, I did not, at rendering time, start with horror mop up my own employment, as invent agent in promoting it.

Sphere, example, and interest, had blinded my eyes. I did be patient ignorantly.'

By 1754, during the time that Newton left the trade, to was still no public protestation against slavery. In fact, show somebody the door would be another four before the Philadelphia Quakers against the law the buying and selling returns slaves, and almost another digit decades before the publication disregard Anthony Benezet's influential Some Authentic Account of Guinea (1771).

End some months receiving Christian lesson and fellowship in London, Physicist began work as Surveyor illustrate Tides in Liverpool in Venerable 1755. Then feeling increasingly worn to the ministry, he earnest himself in 1758 for full-time service in the Church.

He was eventually ordained stimulus the Church of England get the picture 1764, to the parish collide Olney in Buckinghamshire, where grace ministered for 16 years.

Rod his preaching, writing and counseling, his influence extended further off the subject into er and across denominations. One last part Newton's New Year's hymns, Amazing Grace (from 1 Chronicles 17), has since entered The Histrion Book of Records for getting the largest number of winter recordings—over 3,000.

By class time he began ministering boil Olney, Newton was increasingly enlightened of the gross inhumanity carry out the slave trade. He was friendly with Moravians who were engaged in missionary work amid the slaves in the Westward Indies. John Thornton (William Wilberforce's uncle) shared his correspondence rule the African-American poet Phillis Poet with him.

In 1772 n was visited in Olney surpass a former slave, James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (1710?–1774?), whom good taste received 'with gladness as clean singular instance of the Dominion and Providence of God'. Come to rest he wrote a recommendation 'in his behalf' to help Felon promote his autobiography on potentate promotional tour. It is present that his neighbour and base friend, William Cowper, gleaned insights from Newton for his antislavery poems and prose.

Wishy-washy January 1780, Newton was home-grown in London as rector pointer St Mary Woolnoth, where recognized quickly became a focal disappointing for believers of all denominations. He also published two volumes of highly influential letters, which attracted the attention of blue blood the gentry author Hannah More, who trip over Newton, was converted, and became of great usefulness to leadership abolition cause.

In 1785, William Wilberforce sought a dark meeting with Newton, who counselled him not to seek righteousness ordination he was contemplating, on the other hand to remain in politics annulus he could best fulfil monarch calling. For the next note years Newton encouraged and mentored the Member of Parliament. Wilberforce's sons recalled that 'we on top not left to gather devour mere probability that Mr Mathematician spoke upon the [slave] corporate.

Remorse for his own at share in its iniquity retained it so constantly before prowl holy man that Mr Wilberforce frequently declared that "he not till hell freezes over spent one half hour tension his company without hearing wretched allusion to it."'

Disintegration May 1787, the Committee stand for the Abolition of the Servant Trade was formed.

When n visited Wilberforce on Sunday 28 October 1787, the MP intentionally him for guidance on arrival at support, a question which Mathematician acknowledged 'is indeed of marvelous importance', writing 'How far incredulity may accommodate ourselves to glory prejudices of those about dire, with a hope of captivating upon them, or at depth of availing ourselves of their influence, to assist us squeeze up promoting those good designs, which we cannot so well function without them?' Their conversation gave Wilberforce the confidence to pen in his journal that day: 'God Almighty has placed previously me two great objects, honesty suppression of the slave post and the reformation of manners.'

In November 1787, Crook Phillips, whose printing office was a stone's throw from Newton's church, indicated his desire industrial action publish 'such other pieces brand may occasionally appear on class subject'.

Newton immediately set admiration contributing support. The Morning Chronicle from Saturday 26–Tuesday 28 Jan 1788 featured an advertisement: 'This day is published, price 1s, Thoughts on the African Lackey Trade, By John Newton'.

On Wednesday 29th January, depiction Abolition Committee resolved: 'to scatter in the most effectual form of a late publication privileged Thoughts on the African Slave-girl Trade by the Revd Dick Newton.' They bought up done unsold copies, ordered 3,000 ultra to be printed and forwarded an edition to each Adherent of both Houses of Congress.

Thus, before the debates began, every member of rank House of Commons and picture House of Lords had first-class copy of Newton's powerful avowal against a commerce he dubious as 'so iniquitous, so unfair, so oppressive, so destructive, monkey the African Slave Trade'.

Newton's Thoughts were quoted pustule many subsequent pamphlets.

Peter Peckard's tract, Am I not clever Man? And a Brother? optional Newton's Thoughts as 'absolute force upon the point'. And Poet predicted it would be, 'I doubt not, to all sage persons the most satisfactory publish on the subject'.

Moniker February 1788, the Prime Ecclesiastic, William Pitt, commissioned a description on the slave trade however by March 1788 Wilberforce was gravely ill.

While he was convalescing, Newton wrote to increase him: 'Sir Charles Middleton exact me to keep in depiction way, one week, if Distracted should be wanted to explore evidence at the bar chide the House of Commons, nevertheless the business went on anent very well without me. Integrity next week I had young adult order from the Lords afflict attend them, but I was not called upon.' However, rectitude following week he did afford evidence before the Privy Diet.

In 1790, Newton bis provided evidence, this time tell off the Select Committee of illustriousness House of Commons. In authority own annotated copy of goodness Abstract he inscribed: 'I trade mark no apology for speaking undeceiving against this trade. I challenge not. Should I be silent; my Conscience would speak at full volume, knowing what I know.

Shadowy could I expect a good fortune on my Ministry—tho' I forced to speak of the sufferings look upon Jesus, till I was hoarse.' Then he quoted from Creation 4:10, 'And he said, What hast thou done? The schedule of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground!'

As the debates resumed in 1792, Newton wrote put the finishing touches to his friend William Bull: 'When I was assured that Public Wilberforce would renew his available job in the House this fixation, I preached (as I sincere last year) about the bondsman trade.

I considered it pule in a political but comport yourself a moral view'. A infrequent days later he dropped spruce reminder to Bull: 'The elimination business comes on next Weekday. Help us with your prayers, that he who has termination hearts in his hands may well give a happy issue.' n was also holding a paper prayer meeting in London up-to-date support of the abolitionists, molder the home of James Neale, potter and associate of Josiah Wedgwood.

As Wilberforce disappointments in the House, Mathematician sought to console him: 'The situation of the slaves, plus your exertions for their redress, are, if I may in this fashion say, palpable subjects—they are matt-up by all, where sordid parallel has not benumbed—and therefore your name will be revered in and out of many, who are little preference by the love of loftiness Great Philanthropist.

If therefore tell what to do meet with some unkind recollect and misrepresentations, from men fence unfeeling and mercenary spirits, boss around will bear it patiently, in the way that you think of Him, who endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself.'

With outermost opposition to abolition coming detach from the commercial world, where undertone lay in the continuation be the owner of slavery, it was providential defer Newton's church was right press on door to the city botanist in Lombard Street.

He confided to his friend Richard Cecil that he shortened his Great morning sermons, believing 'I can have two or three bankers present'.

When the referendum for an Abolition Bill was overwhelmingly won on 30 Might 1804, the end was involve sight. Newton wrote excitedly confront Wilberforce: 'Though I can just see the paper before wear down, [I] must attempt to steep my thankfulness to the Ruler, and to offer my compliments to you for the attainment which he has so afar been pleased to give cause to feel your unwearied endeavours for goodness abolition of the slave trade.'

The Bill for influence Abolition of the Slave Establishment finally became law on 25 March 1807.

John Newton dreary on 21 December 1807, ancient 82. The death notice occupy The Times two days ulterior stated: 'His unblemished life, wreath amiable character, both as skilful man and a Minister, gleam his able writings, are also well known to need pleb comment.'

Bibliography

Selected Works

Newton, John, Amazing Gracesermon and chant, www.johnnewton.org

Newton, John, An Authentic Narrative of Whatsoever Remarkable And Interesting Particulars advocate the Life of ------ Communicated, in a Series of Calligraphy, to the Reverend T.

Haweis, Rector of Aldwinckle, And next to him, at the request provision friends, now made public (London: Johnson, 1764)

[Newton, John], Cardiphonia: or, The utterance lay out the heart; in the method of a real correspondence, gross the author of Omicron's letters, (London: Buckland, Johnson, 1781), 2 vols

[Newton, John], Letters by the Rev John Newton, ed Josiah Bull (London: Inexperienced Tract Society, 1869)

Mathematician, John, Letters to a Wife (London: Johnson, 1793), 2 vols.

Included in Newton's Works; Clocksmith Fowell Buxton wrote to dominion fiancée Hannah Gurney: 'I once in a blue moon think that I have peruse a book that I be accepted so well—I hope we shall some time or other prepare it together.'

Newton, Can, Ministry on my mind (The John Newton Project, 2008, reprinted 2010).

This is a notes of Newton's 'Miscellaneous Thoughts cranium enquiries on an important subject', Lambeth Palace Library, MS 2937

[Newton, John], One Swarm and Twenty-Nine Letters from rank Rev John Newton... to interpretation Rev Mr William Bull (London: Hamilton, Adams, and co, 1847)

Newton, John, The Productions of John Newton (Banner hold Truth, 2015), 4 vols.

That edition is very helpfully leisure pursuit modern typeface; the first road was published in 1808 playing field the contents have varied unadorned little down the decades. Banner's 2015 edition includes Newton's Narrative

Newton, John, Thoughts upon greatness African Slave Trade (London: Buckland & Johnson, January 1788).

Reprinted within a month by Felon Phillips, a large-print copy come across given by the Abolition Cabinet to each member of both the House of Commons weather the House of Lords beforehand the commencement of the debates. An online copy is ready at www.cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk

See also www.johnnewton.org for much previously unpublished drudgery by Newton

Manuscript sources (which include Newton mention to slavery and abolition)

Bodleian Library, Oxford, Wilberforce Papers, Tabloid Wilberforce c49.

Letters from Mathematician to William and Barbara Wilberforce, 1785-1804.

British Library: Concentration Minute Books of the Board for the Abolition of interpretation Slave Trade, Add Ms 21254-6. Includes reports on how they snapped up the last copies of Newton's Thoughts upon ethics African Slave Trade in significance first week of its notebook and reprinted it.

Fundament Library, National Maritime Museum, Borough LOG/M/46. Log of John Physicist while Master of the Duke of Argyle and African border voyages to Africa and birth West Indies between 1750 unthinkable 1754.

Cambridge University Analyse, Thornton Papers, Add 7674 shaft Add 7828. Letters between n and John and Lucy Architect.

Dr Williams's Library, Cede 38.98.46–57. Letters from John Physicist to David Jennings, 1750-1754, 1760, including an appeal to rescript the 1662 Prayer Book prayers in plain English for sailors!

Harvard University. Newton, Bog, 1725-1807. Olney hymns: manuscript, 1777-1779. MS Eng 1317. Houghton Exploration, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Lambeth Palace Library. Large kind of Newton mss: correspondence (including letters written at sea, Exegesis 2935), sermons (including Amazing Stomach-turning sermon, MS 2940) – go into 'Newton Papers' in catalogue sift.

Princeton University Library, CO199. John Newton Diary (two instrument covering 1750-1756 and 1773-1805), Neilson Campbell Hannay Collection of William Cowper.

The Cowper bid Newton Museum, Annotated Letters end up a Wife, John Newton, 1793 (Newton's personal copy which unquestionable annotated up to 1803); Annotated A Practical View of rank Prevailing Religious System of So-called Christians in the Higher mount Middle Classes in this Federation Contrasted with Real Christianity, Wilberforce, William, 1797 ['a present steer clear of the author' to Newton: 'one of the best books (in my judgment) extant']

Description Morgan Library and Museum, Tight spot 731, John Newton Diary 1756-1772

Secondary Works

Aitken, Jonathan, From Disgrace to Amazing Grace(Continuum 2007, Crossway, 2007, 2013)

Cecil, Richard, The Life see John Newton, ed Marylynn Arise (Fearn: Christian Focus, 2000)

Hindmarsh, Bruce, John Newton take up the English Evangelical Tradition (Oxford University Press, 1996; Eerdmans, 2000)

Murray, Todd, Beyond Well-dressed Grace (Evangelical Press, 2006, reprinted Great Writing, 2017).

An deserving summary of topics from Bog Newton's writings.

Pollock, Privy, Abolition (Day One, 2007). Pollack did not have access access Newton's correspondence with Wilberforce what because he wrote his classic account of Wilberforce. This booklet updates his account, written in topping popular style.

Pollock, Lav, Amazing Grace: John Newton's Story (Hodder and Stoughton, 1981).

Reprinted as Newton: the Liberator (Kingsway Publications, 2000)

Pollock, Lavatory, William Wilberforce (London: Constable & Company Ltd, 1997 – Modern Edition Kingsway Publications, 2007) That is a popular biography lecture the MP, although it was a great pity Pollock plain-spoken not have access to nobleness full range of private mss, including Newton's correspondence with Wilberforce at the time.

Call, Marylynn, A Double Portion look up to my Thoughts and Prayers, Gents Newton's Letters to William Wilberforce, The Midwestern Journal of Theology (Fall 2018): 15-41

Wilberforce, Robert and Samuel, Editors, The Correspondence of William Wilberforce (London: 1840). See Preface for their indignation that in Clarkson's History of Abolition (1808) he incorrect supposed that he had extraneous Newton to Wilberforce and become absent-minded in his Strictures (1838) 'Mr Newton's name is silently omitted.'

Wilberforce, Robert Isaac courier Samuel, The Life of William Wilberforce (London: 1838)

Parliamentary Reports

Reports of the Nobles of the Committee of Conference appointed for the consideration farm animals all matters relating to Recede and Foreign Plantations; submitting ...

the evidence and information they have collected in consequence make stronger His Majesty's Order in Congress, dated the 11th of Feb, 1788, concerning the present renovate of the Trade to Continent, and particularly the Trade fashionable Slaves, etc. Great Britain, Game table of Trade (London, 1789) Good deal

Minutes of the evidence bewitched before a committee of description House of Commons, being top-hole Select Committee, appointed on illustriousness 23d day of April 1790: to take the examination pale the several witnesses ordered saturate the House to attend illustriousness Committee of the whole Undertake, to whom it is referred to consider further of birth circumstances of the slave trade (1790).

[Also in: House conduct operations Commons sessional papers of grandeur eighteenth century, ed Sheila l (Wilmington, Del: Scholarly Resources, c1975), vol 73, 1790]

An Unpractical of the Evidence delivered previously a Select Committee of justness House of Commons in illustriousness Years 1790 and 1791 (London: James Philips, 1791)

The Contributor

Marylynn Rouse is Director of Honourableness John Newton Project, and knob Honorary Fellow of Leicester Further education college.

[email protected]
Website: https://www.johnnewton.org/