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. 'Twas Gace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed ! Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; 'tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; he will lead my shield and portion be as long as life endures. Source: St Joseph's Parish Hymn Book, page 8, by John Newton 1725 -1807

The writer of these lines was standing in a large department store when the strains of the beautiful hymn, "Amazing Grace", played by the pipes and drums of the Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, echoed through the building. The hymn became a top tune in 1972.

The music is stirring and has brought tears to many an eye. But, of the millions who have been moved by the pipes and drums, how many have experienced the truth of the words of the hymnwriter's message? The glorious theme of "Amazing Grace" is still as fresh and vital today as it was to the soul of John Newton over two hundred years ago.

At the young age of twelve, Newton was on the high seas. The lad stood on the threshold of a careless life with no concern for spiritual things. He wrote, "Instead of prayer, I learned to curse and blaspheme, and was exceedingly wicked." Experiencing many struggles between his conscience and the horror of his sin, he later testified that "These struggles between sin and conscience were often repeated, but the consequences was that every relapse sank me into still greater depths of wickedness."

New South Wales, Australia
Page created on 29 August 2004