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Amazing Grace
Without a doubt one of the most popular
Christian songs of all time, Amazing Grace was written in the
late 1700s by John Newton, a slave trader prone to drunkeness, revelry
and profane living. After his dramatic conversion to Christ in the
midst of a terrible storm at sea, Newton began to grow in his faith and
through the influence of Wilbur Wilberforce he eventually came to
renounce slavery during a time when most church attenders favored the
practice, much as some do today regarding abortion. Newton became
a minister and one of the most influential pastors of his time, and he
wrote this song while preparing for one of his messages. Below is
the original version as written by Newton.
You may be surprised to find the last verse
unfamiliar. Most modern day hymnals close with the verse that
begins with "when we've been there ten thousand years".
Remarkably, this stanza was not authored by Newton but was inserted into
the hymn in the 1900's, at which time the sixth verse Newton authored
was dropped.
AMAZING GRACE
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd 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 reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ'd!
Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis'd 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 call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine.
Read more:
Editor's Bookshelf: Converting 'Amazing
Grace'
The
story behind America's most beloved song shows the God-centered vision
with which it was written.
Editor's Bookshelf: Amazing Myths, How
Strange the Sound
An
interview with Steve Turner, the author of Amazing
Grace: The Story of America's Most Beloved Song
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