From: <LawrenceRatnam@aol.com>
Date: Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 12:32 AM
Subject: Amazing Grace at the Coliseum in Rome
To: lawrenceratnam@aol.com
Date: Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 12:32 AM
Subject: Amazing Grace at the Coliseum in Rome
To: lawrenceratnam@aol.com
Many of you must be aware of John Newton. Enjoy the singing - fantastic
cut and paste the link
http://link.brightcove.com/
And some history ..
John Newton and the lyrics to Amazing Grace
John Newton, the author of the lyrics to Amazing Grace, was born in 1725 in
Wapping, London, United Kingdom.
Despite the powerful message of "Amazing Grace," Newton's religious beliefs
initially lacked conviction; his youth was marked by religious confusion
and a lack of moral self-control and discipline.
After a brief time in the Royal Navy, Newton began his career in slave
trading. The turning point in Newton's spiritual life was a violent storm
that occurred one night while at sea. Moments after he left the deck, the
crewman who had taken his place was swept overboard.
Although he manned the vessel for the remainder of the tempest, he later
commented that, throughout the tumult, he realized his helplessness and
concluded that only the grace of God could save him.
Prodded by what he had read in Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ, Newton
took the first step toward accepting faith. These incidents and his 1750
marriage to Mary Catlett changed Newton significantly. On his slave
voyages, he encouraged the sailors under his charge to pray. He also began
to ensure that every member of his crew treated their human cargo with
gentleness and concern.
Nevertheless, it would be another 40 years until Newton openly challenged
the trafficking of slaves.
Some three years after his marriage, Newton suffered a stroke that
prevented him from returning to sea; in time, he interpreted this as
another step in his spiritual voyage. He assumed a post in the Customs
Office in the port of Liverpool and began to explore Christianity more
fully. As Newton attempted to experience all the various expressions of
Christianity, it became clear that he was being called to the ministry.
Since Newton lacked a university degree, he could not be ordained through
normal channels. However, the landlord of the parish at Olney was so
impressed with the letters Newton had written about his conversion that he
offered the church to Newton; he was ordained in June 1764.
In Olney, the new curate met the poet William Cowper, also a newly-born
Christian. Their friendship led to a spiritual collaboration that completed
the inspiration for "Amazing Grace," the poem Newton most likely wrote in
Kineton, Warwickshire[citation needed] around Christmas 1772. The lyrics
are based on his reflections on an Old Testament text he was preparing to
preach on, adding his perspective about his own conversion while on his
slave ship, the Greyhound, in 1748.
Newton's lyrics have become a favorite for Christians, largely because the
hymn vividly and briefly sums up the doctrine of divine grace. The lyrics
are based on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17, a prayer of King David in which he
marvels at God's choosing him and his house. Newton apparently wrote this
for use in a sermon he preached on this passage on New Year's Day 1773, and
for which he left his sermon notes, which correspond to the flow of the
lyrics. (He entitled the piece "Faith's review and expectation.")
The song has also become known as a favorite with supporters of freedom and
human rights, both Christian and non-Christian, in part because many assume
it to be Newton's testimony about his slave trading past. The hymn was
quite popular on both sides in the American Civil War.
Subject: "AMAZING GRACE" sung at the Coliseum in Rome by IL DIVO
John Newton's life story is Amazing
"AMAZING GRACE" sung at the Coliseum in Rome by IL DIVO
"AMAZING GRACE" sung at the Coliseum in Rome by IL DIVO
cut and paste the link
http://link.brightcove.com/
And some history ..
John Newton and the lyrics to Amazing Grace
John Newton, the author of the lyrics to Amazing Grace, was born in 1725 in
Wapping, London, United Kingdom.
Despite the powerful message of "Amazing Grace," Newton's religious beliefs
initially lacked conviction; his youth was marked by religious confusion
and a lack of moral self-control and discipline.
After a brief time in the Royal Navy, Newton began his career in slave
trading. The turning point in Newton's spiritual life was a violent storm
that occurred one night while at sea. Moments after he left the deck, the
crewman who had taken his place was swept overboard.
Although he manned the vessel for the remainder of the tempest, he later
commented that, throughout the tumult, he realized his helplessness and
concluded that only the grace of God could save him.
Prodded by what he had read in Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ, Newton
took the first step toward accepting faith. These incidents and his 1750
marriage to Mary Catlett changed Newton significantly. On his slave
voyages, he encouraged the sailors under his charge to pray. He also began
to ensure that every member of his crew treated their human cargo with
gentleness and concern.
Nevertheless, it would be another 40 years until Newton openly challenged
the trafficking of slaves.
Some three years after his marriage, Newton suffered a stroke that
prevented him from returning to sea; in time, he interpreted this as
another step in his spiritual voyage. He assumed a post in the Customs
Office in the port of Liverpool and began to explore Christianity more
fully. As Newton attempted to experience all the various expressions of
Christianity, it became clear that he was being called to the ministry.
Since Newton lacked a university degree, he could not be ordained through
normal channels. However, the landlord of the parish at Olney was so
impressed with the letters Newton had written about his conversion that he
offered the church to Newton; he was ordained in June 1764.
In Olney, the new curate met the poet William Cowper, also a newly-born
Christian. Their friendship led to a spiritual collaboration that completed
the inspiration for "Amazing Grace," the poem Newton most likely wrote in
Kineton, Warwickshire[citation needed] around Christmas 1772. The lyrics
are based on his reflections on an Old Testament text he was preparing to
preach on, adding his perspective about his own conversion while on his
slave ship, the Greyhound, in 1748.
Newton's lyrics have become a favorite for Christians, largely because the
hymn vividly and briefly sums up the doctrine of divine grace. The lyrics
are based on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17, a prayer of King David in which he
marvels at God's choosing him and his house. Newton apparently wrote this
for use in a sermon he preached on this passage on New Year's Day 1773, and
for which he left his sermon notes, which correspond to the flow of the
lyrics. (He entitled the piece "Faith's review and expectation.")
The song has also become known as a favorite with supporters of freedom and
human rights, both Christian and non-Christian, in part because many assume
it to be Newton's testimony about his slave trading past. The hymn was
quite popular on both sides in the American Civil War.
