"Amazing Grace"

There is a book that I keep on my church office desk called "Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories" by Robert J. Morgan.  It is a fascinating book that tells the stories behind some of the famous hymns we sing today.  In the end, the stories of what the hymn-writer was thinking or experienced when he or she wrote their now-famous hymn(s) seem to bring those old songs back to life.

In a recent worship service at my church, we sang "Amazing Grace."  (Talk about an old hymn.)  Many members of the congregation were excited to be singing this 'oldy-but-goody,' and it makes me wonder, what is the story behind this great classic hymn-song that has proven the test of time and will stand the test of time for many many more years.  What follows is an excerpt taken from Mr. Morgan's book:

"It's hard to shake off a mother's influence.  John Newton's earliest memories were of his godly mother who, despite fragile health, devoted herself to nurturing his soul.  At her kneed he memorized Bible passages and hymns.  Though she died when he was about seven, he later recalled her tearful prayers for him.

After her death, John alternated between boarding school and the high seas, wanting to live a good life but nonetheless falling deeper and deeper into sin.  Pressed into service with the British Navy, he deserted, was captured, and after two days of suspense, was flogged.  His subsequent thoughts vacillated between murder and suicide.  'I was capable of anything,' he recalled.

More voyages, dangers, toils, and snares followed.  It was a life unrivaled in fiction.  Then, on the night of March 9, 1748, John, 23, was jolted awake by a brutal storm that descended too suddenly for the crew to foresee.  The next day, in great peril, he cried to the Lord.  He later wrote, 'That tenth of March is a day much remembered by me; and I have never suffered it to pass unnoticed since the year 1748--the Lord came from on high and delievered me out of deep waters.'

Morgan goes on to write:  "Here are some things you may not know about Newton's most famous hymn [Amazing Grace].  His title for it wasn't originally 'Amazing Grace' but 'Faith's Review and Expectation.'  And here's a nearly forgotten verse that Newton added near the end of 'Amazing Grace.' Try singing it for yourself"

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine;

But God, Who called me here below, shall be forever mine.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT - Where are your rocky seas?  There may be things that today we call "solid places" and yet when we look back on what makes them 'solid,' we realize that they were born out of turmoil: crazy isn't it!?