"Amazing Grace"

Amazing Grace!

     For over 200 hundred years, “ Amazing Grace” has been known as America’s most popular hymn.  In fact, this hymn has worldwide recognition, being played by every known musical instrument, even bagpipes.   The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, a drum and bagpipe corps recorded “ Amazing Grace” in Britain, becoming a number-one record.   Sales of the song also were successful in both Canada and the United States.  In fact, over 100,000 copies were sold in Canada in just three weeks!

     The author of “Amazing Grace” had an unseemly past.  John Newton started as a captain of a ship that docked off the coast of Western Africa and would snatch people to live as slaves.  But one night in 1748, Newton was afraid for his life.  His vessel was waterlogged and it probably was not going to make it back home.  He spent the night reading the book "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis.    The captain came face-to-face the reality of his sin and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.  During the next six years, his faith grew.  He became an ordained minister and began writing hymns.  Who could imagine writing a hymn so popular that even bagpipes would play it!

Amazing Grace

(1) Amazing grace! How sweet the sound-

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind but now I see.

(2) 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved:

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

(3) The Lord has promised good to me,

His word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures.

(4) Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

I have already come;

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

(4) When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we'd first begun.

     John Newton, the author of “Amazing Grace,” summed up his experiences as follows:  “Though I am not what I ought to be, I can truly say that I am not what I once was—a slave to sin and Satan. I can heartily say with Paul: ‘By the grace of God I am what I am’!” 

“Amazing Grace”

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