"This week marked the 250th anniversary of the first time “Amazing Grace” was sung. What has become one of the world’s most-beloved Christian hymns debuted on New Year’s Day 1773 at the Anglican parish church in Olney, England. Wilberforce was the driving force in abolishing slavery in England and then pushed to free the slaves in the English countries. Ultimately, the bill to abolish slavery was passed " from Wikipedia.
victorianweb.org/history/antislavery/antislavery.html.
Wilberforce felt drawn to convert to Christianity. Meeting with John Newton led him to pursue the abolishing of the slaves even more passionately. It was a hard fought battle, but the month after he died, this managed to free 800,000 slaves.
This was a major change in England, but there was another important event. John Newton had been a slave trader until he felt a conviction that this was a sin. Newton found Jesus Christ as a low point in life, became a monk serving the poor in England. It was then that he composed this song:
"Amazing Grace" is a unique song; it still stands a universal song that is known by many people of all races and languages. It was played by a bagpiper at our grandfather's funeral. The song was even sung by a few attendees who knew the words of the first line, sang with gusto.
John Newton to William Wilberforce to us. What a meaningful creation came from their friendship. That led to a song that comforted and guided many people.
Peter Hollens
