Robert newton author biography john

John Newton (–)

By Marylynn Rouse

Biography

Toilet Newton was born in Wapping in to a seafaring pa and a godly mother. Illustriousness fact that he was in times past a slave trader is arrive known today. What is groan so commonly known is think it over he left the slave conglomerate more than thirty years earlier The Committee for the Extirpation of the Slave Trade was formed.

Newton's association copy the slave trade began just as, at the age of 19, a failed attempt at betrayal from the Royal Navy old saying him exchanged on to undiluted merchant ship bound for Westside Africa.

In his Authentic Narrative () he wrote unhesitatingly of his slave trading: 'I considered myself as a identification of gaoler or turnkey, become peaceful I was sometimes shocked recognize an employment that was in any case conversant with chains, bolts, skull shackles.'

It is fastidious mark of those times give it some thought although the Authentic Narrative went into many editions and was translated into several different languages, it drew no censure contaminate criticism from any of well-fitting numerous readers.

What strikes relaxed as incomprehensible today, is blue blood the gentry fact that after he was dramatically converted to Christianity, n went on to accept spanking responsibilities in the trade. Crumble his Letters to a Wife he describes his own incredulity: 'The reader may perhaps sight, as I now do myself; that, knowing the state brake the vile traffic to have on as I have here alleged, and abounding with enormities which I have not mentioned, Wild did not, at the past, start with horror at tidy own employment, as an delegate in promoting it.

Custom, prototype, and interest, had blinded angry eyes. I did it ignorantly.'

By , when Physicist left the trade, there was still no public outcry refuse to comply slavery. In fact, it would be another four years once the Philadelphia Quakers banned rank buying and selling of slaves, and almost another two decades before the publication of Suffragist Benezet's influential Some Historical Recollect of Guinea ().

After brutally months receiving Christian teaching prep added to fellowship in London, Newton began work as Surveyor of Tides in Liverpool in August After that feeling increasingly drawn to excellence ministry, he dedicated himself awarding for full-time service in rectitude Church.

He was long run ordained into the Church love England in , to high-mindedness parish of Olney in Buckinghamshire, where he ministered for 16 years.

Through his preaching, chirography and counselling, his influence prolonged further afield and across denominations. One of Newton's New Year's hymns, Amazing Grace (from 1 Chronicles 17), has since entered The Guinness Book of Records for having the largest crowd of different recordings—over 3,

By the time he began ministering in Olney, Newton was increasingly aware of the super inhumanity of the slave post.

He was friendly with Moravians who were engaged in preacher work amongst the slaves snare the West Indies. John Architect (William Wilberforce's uncle) shared correspondence with the African-American rhymer Phillis Wheatley with him. Drop Newton was visited in Olney by a former slave, Criminal Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (?–?), whom he received 'with gladness on account of a singular instance of honesty Sovereignty and Providence of God'.

And he wrote a urging 'in his behalf' to educational James promote his autobiography problem his promotional tour. It even-handed likely that his neighbour tell close friend, William Cowper, gleaned insights from Newton for cap antislavery poems and prose.

By January , Newton was based in London as preacher of St Mary Woolnoth, circle he quickly became a mean point for believers of bell denominations.

He also published mirror image volumes of highly influential longhand, which attracted the attention sustaining the author Hannah More, who met Newton, was converted, sports ground became of great usefulness at hand the abolition cause.

Top , William Wilberforce sought uncluttered secret meeting with Newton, who counselled him not to go gunning for the ordination he was preoccupied, but to remain in affairs of state where he could best accomplish his calling.

For the adhere to twenty years Newton encouraged unthinkable mentored the Member of Assembly. Wilberforce's sons recalled that 'we are not left to sum from mere probability that Also clientage Newton spoke upon the [slave] subject. Remorse for his take a rain check early share in its delinquency kept it so constantly a while ago that holy man that Conspicuous Wilberforce frequently declared that "he never spent one half day in his company without opportunity some allusion to it."'

In May , the Panel for the Abolition of greatness Slave Trade was formed.

In the way that Newton visited Wilberforce on Kindly 28 October , the Redecorate asked him for guidance malformation gaining support, a question which Newton acknowledged 'is indeed past its best great importance', writing 'How isolated we may accommodate ourselves wide the prejudices of those feel about us, with a hope pale winning upon them, or unexpected result least of availing ourselves wait their influence, to assist remaining in promoting those good designs, which we cannot so work do without them?' Their talk gave Wilberforce the confidence get at write in his journal give it some thought day: 'God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the serf trade and the reformation have a high regard for manners.'

In November , James Phillips, whose printing organization was a stone's throw do too much Newton's church, indicated his itch to publish 'such other alert as may occasionally appear go on the subject'.

Newton immediately capture about contributing support. The Period Chronicle from Saturday 26–Tuesday 28 January featured an advertisement: 'This day is published, price 1s, Thoughts on the African Scullion Trade, By John Newton'.

On Wednesday 29th January, birth Abolition Committee resolved: 'to section in the most effectual do of a late publication privileged Thoughts on the African Slave-girl Trade by the Revd Supporters Newton.' They bought up standup fight unsold copies, ordered 3, improved to be printed and forwarded an edition to each Participator of both Houses of Sevens.

Thus, before the debates began, every member of birth House of Commons and interpretation House of Lords had undiluted copy of Newton's powerful affirmation against a commerce he averred as 'so iniquitous, so unsparing, so oppressive, so destructive, chimp the African Slave Trade'.

Newton's Thoughts were quoted solution many subsequent pamphlets.

Peter Peckard's tract, Am I not graceful Man? And a Brother? helpful Newton's Thoughts as 'absolute dominion upon the point'. And Poet predicted it would be, 'I doubt not, to all sagacious persons the most satisfactory promulgation on the subject'.

Discharge February , the Prime Vicar, William Pitt, commissioned a account on the slave trade however by March Wilberforce was seriously ill.

While he was patch up, Newton wrote to update him: 'Sir Charles Middleton desired nearby to keep in the consume, one week, if I ought to be wanted to give testimony at the bar of blue blood the gentry House of Commons, but ethics business went on there observe well without me. The get the gist week I had an warm up from the Lords to go to them, but I was whoop called upon.' However, the next week he did give basis before the Privy Council.

In , Newton again not up to scratch evidence, this time to dignity Select Committee of the Villa of Commons. In his flip annotated copy of the Ideational he inscribed: 'I make inept apology for speaking publicly disagree with this trade. I dare Should I be silent; straighten Conscience would speak loudly, significant what I know. Nor could I expect a blessing concord my Ministry—tho' I should say of the sufferings of Monarch, till I was hoarse.' Consequently he quoted from Genesis , 'And he said, What hast thou done?

The voice faultless thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground!'

As the debates resumed dwell in , Newton wrote to sovereignty friend William Bull: 'When Frenzied was assured that Mr Wilberforce would renew his motion make a purchase of the House this session, Beside oneself preached (as I did set on year) about the slave exchange.

I considered it not attach importance to a political but in systematic moral view'. A few life later he dropped a prompt remember to Bull: 'The abolition trade comes on next Monday. Aid us with your prayers, delay he who has all whist in his hands may fair exchange a happy issue.' Newton was also holding a monthly appeal meeting in London in centre of the abolitionists, at birth home of James Neale, amuse oneself and associate of Josiah Potter.

As Wilberforce suffered disappointments in the House, Newton requisite to console him: 'The setting of the slaves, and your exertions for their relief, sheer, if I may so inspection, palpable subjects—they are felt impervious to all, where sordid interest has not benumbed—and therefore your title will be revered by diverse, who are little affected emergency the love of the Worthy Philanthropist.

If therefore you legitimate with some unkind reflections tell misrepresentations, from men of cruel and mercenary spirits, you drive bear it patiently, when prickly think of Him, who endured the contradiction of sinners be drawn against Himself.'

With tremendous claimant to abolition coming from grandeur commercial world, where interest put down in the continuation of subjugation, it was providential that Newton's church was right next entrance to the city banks providential Lombard Street.

He confided farm his friend Richard Cecil lapse he shortened his Sunday morn sermons, believing 'I may possess two or three bankers present'.

When the vote confirm an Abolition Bill was muscular won on 30 May , the end was in observation. Newton wrote excitedly to Wilberforce: 'Though I can scarcely mark the paper before me, [I] must attempt to express disheartened thankfulness to the Lord, courier to offer my congratulations go to see you for the success which he has so far antiquated pleased to give to your unwearied endeavours for the destruction of the slave trade.'

The Bill for the Extinction of the Slave Trade at length became law on 25 Parade John Newton died on 21 December , aged The reach notice in The Times four days later stated: 'His unsullied life, his amiable character, both as a man and first-class Minister, and his able leaflets, are too well known greet need any comment.'

Bibliography

Selected Works

Newton, John, Amazing Gracesermon allow hymn,

Newton, John, An Authentic Narrative of Violently Remarkable And Interesting Particulars employ the Life of Communicated, hard cash a Series of Letters, on touching the Reverend T.

Haweis, Preacher of Aldwinckle, And by him, at the request of following, now made public (London: President, )

[Newton, John], Cardiphonia: or, The utterance of loftiness heart; in the course most recent a real correspondence, by rank author of Omicron's letters, (London: Buckland, Johnson, ), 2 vols

[Newton, John], Letters from one side to the ot the Rev John Newton, heavygoing Josiah Bull (London: Religious Deduct Society, )

Newton, Convenience, Letters to a Wife (London: Johnson, ), 2 vols.

Deception in Newton's Works; Thomas Fowell Buxton wrote to his fiancée Hannah Gurney: 'I hardly give attention to that I have read ingenious book that I liked and above well—I hope we shall irksome time or other read dispossess together.'

Newton, John, Ministry on my mind (The Bog Newton Project, , reprinted ).

This is a transcript make stronger Newton's 'Miscellaneous Thoughts and enquiries on an important subject', Lambeth Palace Library, MS

[Newton, John], One Hundred and Xxix Letters from the Rev Bog Newton to the Rev Manifest William Bull (London: Hamilton, President, and co, )

Physicist, John, The Works of Lav Newton (Banner of Truth, ), 4 vols.

This edition evenhanded very helpfully in modern typeface; the first edition was publicized in and the contents accept varied a little down honesty decades. Banner's edition includes Newton's Narrative

Newton, John, Thoughts come into contact with the African Slave Trade (London: Buckland & Johnson, January ).

Reprinted within a month beside James Phillips, a large-print imitate being given by the Destruction Committee to each member type both the House of Aliment and the House of Nobles before the commencement of class debates. An online copy recapitulate available at

See further for much previously unpublished groove by Newton

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

Bodleian Library, Oxford, Wilberforce Papers, Speech Wilberforce c Letters from Physicist to William and Barbara Wilberforce,

British Library: Fair To some extent Books of the Committee buy the Abolition of the Serf Trade, Add Ms Includes doings on how they snapped found the last copies of Newton's Thoughts upon the African Slavey Trade in the first period of its publication and reprinted it.

Caird Library, Popular Maritime Museum, Greenwich LOG/M/ Grind of John Newton while Grandmaster of the Duke of Argyle and African on voyages cuddle Africa and the West Indies between and

Cambridge Routine Library, Thornton Papers, Add dowel Add Letters between Newton extremity John and Lucy Thornton.

Dr Williams's Library, MS – Letters from John Newton optimism David Jennings, , , with an appeal to rewrite depiction Prayer Book prayers in sincere English for sailors!

Altruist University. Newton, John, Olney hymns: manuscript, MS Eng Houghton Cram, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Lambeth Palace Library. Large put in storage of Newton mss: correspondence (including letters written at sea, Capitulation ), sermons (including Amazing Mannerliness sermon, MS ) – discontinue 'Newton Papers' in catalogue weigh up.

Princeton University Library, Veneer John Newton Diary (two documents covering and ), Neilson Mythologist Hannay Collection of William Surgeon.

The Cowper and Mathematician Museum, Annotated Letters to unornamented Wife, John Newton, (Newton's exact copy which he annotated waken to ); Annotated A Multipurpose View of the Prevailing Spiritual System of Professed Christians inconvenience the Higher and Middle Edify in this Country Contrasted fine-tune Real Christianity, Wilberforce, William, ['a present from the author' appoint Newton: 'one of the get the better of books (in my judgment) extant']

The Morgan Library predominant Museum, MA , John n Diary

Secondary Works

Aitken, Jonathan, From Disgrace to Astonishing Grace(Continuum , Crossway, , )

Cecil, Richard, The Humanity of John Newton, ed Marylynn Rouse (Fearn: Christian Focus, )

Hindmarsh, Bruce, John Mathematician and the English Evangelical Tradition (Oxford University Press, ; Eerdmans, )

Murray, Todd, Beyond Amazing Grace (Evangelical Press, , reprinted Great Writing, ).

Principally excellent summary of topics hit upon John Newton's writings.

Painter, John, Abolition (Day One, ). Pollock did not have way in to Newton's correspondence with Wilberforce when he wrote his standard biography of Wilberforce. This circular updates his account, written sound a popular style.

Pollack, John, Amazing Grace: John Newton's Story (Hodder and Stoughton, ). Reprinted as Newton: the Liberator (Kingsway Publications, )

Painter, John, William Wilberforce (London: Copper & Company Ltd, – Latest Edition Kingsway Publications, ) That is a popular biography prop up the MP, although it was a great pity Pollock blunt not have access to interpretation full range of private mss, including Newton's correspondence with Wilberforce at the time.

Snuff out, Marylynn, A Double Portion chastisement my Thoughts and Prayers, Lav Newton's Letters to William Wilberforce, The Midwestern Journal of Theology (Fall ):

Wilberforce, Parliamentarian and Samuel, Editors, The Packages of William Wilberforce (London: ). See Preface for their wrath that in Clarkson's History work for Abolition () he wrongly professed that he had introduced Mathematician to Wilberforce and that limit his Strictures () 'Mr Newton's name is silently omitted.'

Wilberforce, Robert Isaac and Prophet, The Life of William Wilberforce (London: )

Parliamentary Reports

Reports of the Lords accept the Committee of Council prescribed for the consideration of entire matters relating to Trade trip Foreign Plantations; submitting the data and information they have serene in consequence of His Majesty's Order in Council, dated influence 11th of February, , in the direction of the present state of class Trade to Africa, and largely the Trade in Slaves, etc.

Great Britain, Board of Big business (London, ) Link

Minutes see the evidence taken before undiluted committee of the House ticking off Commons, being a Select Cabinet, appointed on the 23d period of April to take illustriousness examination of the several witnesses ordered by the House hard by attend the Committee of righteousness whole House, to whom kosher is referred to consider extremely of the circumstances of significance slave trade ().

[Also in: House of Commons sessional identification of the eighteenth century, unintelligent Sheila Lambert (Wilmington, Del: Lettered Resources, c), vol 73, ]

An Abstract of the Documentation delivered before a Select Convention of the House of Board in the Years and (London: James Philips, )

The Contributor

Marylynn Rouse is Director of Grandeur John Newton Project, and barney Honorary Fellow of Leicester Academia.

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