Post by rgrove on Jul 6, 2005 17:15:30 GMT -5
Out of the Depths - John Newton's Autobiography
Probably one of the best testimonies I've ever read. Regardless of whether you've ever heard the name John Newton, you've heard at least one of his hymns. He wrote the hymn Amazing Grace which is familiar to virtually all Christians, and even most non-christians, living in the west. This book is actually a compilation of fourteeen letters that John Newton wrote in response to the request that he narrate his life story up to that point. I've loaned it out already so I don't have it in front of me to comment upon, but I'll guarantee that if you love his hymns you'll love his autobiography! :-)
He start out with something that really resonated with me right now as I'm about to become a father for the first time in the next few months. He implores that any parents reading the letters keep up in the proper rearing of their child in the fear and admonition of the Lord. His mother did this well, but she died when he was still very young (eight I believe). Although the scripture she had him memorize at an early age and the catechism she had trained him in became extremely important when he was finally saved by God's grace. It was something for him to fall back upon in those first days until he had time to learn more. I will certainly seek to head his advice in the rearing of our child.
He tells of how he was sent to be with his father on ships after his mother died. His father was a cold and distant man. I suppose a fairly typical Englishman from what I read of those times in England (unfortunately). He got drafted into the Navy and did not take to it well and got into a lot of trouble. From there he managed to get into even more trouble by getting mixed up with some rather unseemly slave traders, which is how he made it into that industry. As he goes through the stories he had to tell you can see the Divine providence in his life. He was being brought low for a purpose and saved from catastrophe many times for a purpose. His letter on how he came to his salvation is nothing short of gripping. He then spends a few letters discussing his life after that in equally gripping prose. If you read this particular copy I've linked to, I highly recommend reading the editor's notes as well. They give some good insight into comments that Newton makes that we don't see the full import of in this day and age. All in all, it's every Christian's loss if they don't read this autobiography.
Yours In Christ,
Ron
Probably one of the best testimonies I've ever read. Regardless of whether you've ever heard the name John Newton, you've heard at least one of his hymns. He wrote the hymn Amazing Grace which is familiar to virtually all Christians, and even most non-christians, living in the west. This book is actually a compilation of fourteeen letters that John Newton wrote in response to the request that he narrate his life story up to that point. I've loaned it out already so I don't have it in front of me to comment upon, but I'll guarantee that if you love his hymns you'll love his autobiography! :-)
He start out with something that really resonated with me right now as I'm about to become a father for the first time in the next few months. He implores that any parents reading the letters keep up in the proper rearing of their child in the fear and admonition of the Lord. His mother did this well, but she died when he was still very young (eight I believe). Although the scripture she had him memorize at an early age and the catechism she had trained him in became extremely important when he was finally saved by God's grace. It was something for him to fall back upon in those first days until he had time to learn more. I will certainly seek to head his advice in the rearing of our child.
He tells of how he was sent to be with his father on ships after his mother died. His father was a cold and distant man. I suppose a fairly typical Englishman from what I read of those times in England (unfortunately). He got drafted into the Navy and did not take to it well and got into a lot of trouble. From there he managed to get into even more trouble by getting mixed up with some rather unseemly slave traders, which is how he made it into that industry. As he goes through the stories he had to tell you can see the Divine providence in his life. He was being brought low for a purpose and saved from catastrophe many times for a purpose. His letter on how he came to his salvation is nothing short of gripping. He then spends a few letters discussing his life after that in equally gripping prose. If you read this particular copy I've linked to, I highly recommend reading the editor's notes as well. They give some good insight into comments that Newton makes that we don't see the full import of in this day and age. All in all, it's every Christian's loss if they don't read this autobiography.
Yours In Christ,
Ron