Amazing Story Behind “Amazing Grace” (Pack Of 25), The

From the world-wide TV coverage of the Olympic Games, to the platform of the acceptance speech of the President of the United States, to the smallest church in the rural backwoods, everywhere?we hear the strains of ?Amazing Grace.? Where in the world did we get that song? How does its story relate to you and me?The story of John Newton is truly the story behind ?Amazing Grace.? One would be hard pressed to imagine, let alone to live, a blasphemous life equal to Newton?s early years.In his youth he became the captain of a slave ship, landing at least one load of his human cargo in Charleston, South Carolina. It is reported that at times he was so drunk and destitute that even his crew regarded him as little more than an animal. Once he fell overboard and his ship?s crew refused to drop a boat to him. Instead they threw a harpoon at him, with which they dragged him back into the ship. He seemed oblivious to the plight of the poor black souls chained in the hold of his ship.His willful and wanton disregard for all that is right and holy led him into a life plagued with despair, dangers at sea, abuse, public floggings, destitution, depression, near drownings and miraculous escapes. During those years Newton often entered into a state of spiritual awakening. Consequently those times were short-lived, and he invariably lapsed into a more wicked and loathsome direction.One particular harrowing experience at sea was used of the Lord to cause young Newton to seriously consider his standing before a holy God