On This Date in History… March 21, 2010
Over 250 years ago today, JohnNewton found God. Better said, God found him. Early in the morning hours of March 21,1748, a violent sea woke Newton from sleep. Fearing that his ship was sinking, heattempted to rush up the ladder onto the deck but was met by the captaincommanding him to go back and get a knife. Horrified, Newton watched as thecrewman who climbed the ladder in his place was immediately washed overboard.He worked the pumps from three in the morning until noon, slept for an hour,and then manned the helm until midnight while the storm raged around him. Histime at the wheel allowed him to survey his life—all twenty-two rebellious,licentious years of it. His mind was drawn back to the Scriptures his motherhad taught him, especially passages like Hebrews 6:4-6 and 2 Peter 2:20—sharpwarnings against apostasy which seemed to suit his case exactly.
Toward evening,the wind lessened enough for him to feel hopeful, and he began to pray. God kindly brought the storm to an end, andfor the rest of the voyage (nearly four weeks!) he investigated the Bible inearnest. Newton’s own journals show he still believed himself to be lost, buthe did mark March 21 for the rest of his life. The final entry in his diary,made on this date shortly before his eightieth birthday, reads: “Not well ableto write. But I endeavor to observe the return of this day with humiliation,prayer and praise.”
Andwhy wouldn’t he celebrate? After all, it is John Newton’s personal testimony we’recommemorating (and our own!) when we sing: “Amazing grace! How sweet the soundthat saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind butnow I see.”