It would not be too much of a risk to speculate that the favorite hymn of most Methodists is John Newton's Amazing Grace. The hymn's comforting words and simple tune have endeared it to Christians (and non-Christians) the world over. Surely the author of this great hymn must have been a revered, beloved and spiritual leader of some great congregation.

Well, that is not exactly correct. When Newton used the phrase "…that saved a wretch like me!" he was not exaggerating at all. So much of his life was indeed wretched and deplorable. One historian has described him as "a moral pariah." John Newton had commanded an English slave ship. He would anchor his ship off the African coast where tribal chiefs would deliver to him stockades full of men and women, captured in raids and wars against other tribes. The finest human specimens would be selected, and trades would be arranged for weapons, ammunition, metal, liquor, trinkets and cloth. The captives would be loaded aboard, packed for sailing, chained below decks, laid side by side to save space, row after row, one after another, until the vessel was laden with as many as "600 units of human cargo." John Newton, the writer of Amazing Grace, transported many shiploads of the six million African slaves brought to the Americas in the 18th century. It would not be unusual for the ships to lose 20% or more of their human cargo due to suicide, smallpox or dysentery.

Commanding a slave vessel seems like a strange place to find a new Christian. Yet, there he was. It took quite some time for the inhuman aspects of the slave business to get to him, but when it did he left the sea for good. On one occasion, Newton was watching a man being led to the gallows, and he declared, "There goes John Newton, had it not been for the grace of God."

For the last 43 years of his life, John Newton preached the gospel in Olney and London. He had been ordained by Methodists and proudly pointed to his years as a Methodist minister. At the age of 82, he said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour." Clearly, John Newton ultimately understood the meaning of "grace" as Methodists understand it. And there is a very good reason for his so understanding the meaning of grace.

John Newton was a friend of John Wesley's. Although they did disagree on some theological issues, Newton was a supporter of Wesley and carried Wesley's message forward in word and song. John Wesley and John Newton were friends although Newton was probably more of a disciple of George Whitfield than he was of Wesley. Wesley did support Newton in his efforts to be ordained, although it appeared that privilege may be denied him because he was not a graduate of Oxford or Cambridge.

In 1765 Wesley wrote to Newton and applauded his work by saying, "Your manner of writing needs no excuse. I hope you will always write in the same manner. Love is the plainest thing in the world."