(1) * 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.

(2) In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear;
Till a new object met my sight,
And stopped my wild career.

(3) I saw one hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood;
Who fixed his languid eyes on me,
As near his cross I stood.

(4) Sure, ne'er untill my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to change me with his death,
Though not a word He spoke.

(5) My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins HIS BLOOD HAD SHED,
And helped to nail Him there.

(6) Alas, I knew not what I did,
But all my tears were vain;
Where could my trembling soul be hid,
For I the LORD had slain.

(7) A second look He gave that said;
"I freely all forgive" !
This blood is for my ramson paid,
"I died that thou mayest live."

(8) * Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that Grace appear,
The hour I first believed.

(9) * Through many dangers,toils and snairs,
I have already come;
Tis Grace hath bro't me safe thus far,
And Grace will lead me home.

(10)* The LORD has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
His will my sheild and portion be,
As long as life endures.

(11) Yes ! when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.

(12) The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But GOD who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.

(13)* When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun;
We've no less days to sing GOD'S praise,
Than when we first begun !

Notice: * = verses extracted for Hymnals we use today

The story of John Newton THE BAPTIST INTERNATIONAL ANTHEM Arranged by Wendell H. Rone Sr. Pres. Mid-Continent Baptist Bible College Sung to the tune McINTOSH, C. M. From an old American Melody of unknown origin Arranged by E. O. Excell: (1851 - 1921). JOHN NEWTON, the celebrated English preacher-hymn writer, realized he was A trophy of Divine grace. A while before his death, at the advanced age of 82, A brother minister came to have breakfast with him. Family prayers followed the meal. Mr. Newton's sight had almost failed him, and he was unable to read. He set and listened to his friend as he read the fifteenth Chapter of First Cor. When verse 10 was read," by the Grace of God I am what I am", Mr. Newton began to speak: "I am not what I ought to be. Ah! How imperfect and deficient! I am not what I wish to be. I abhor what is evil, and I would cleave to what is good. I am not what I hope to be soon. Soon I shall put off, with mortality, ALL SIN and imperfection. Though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be; I can truly say that I am not what I once was, a slave of Sin and Satan; and I can heartily join with the Apostle Paul, and acknowledge, by the Grace of GOD I am what I am":. JOHN NEWTON could say that with conviction and JOY. What had he once been? When 7 years of age, he lost his Mother. A little later he went to sea with his dad, and learned all the evil of the Seaman life. HE became A hardened infidel, He fell in with African slave traders, being Captain of his own ship. He was soon utterly degraded, and was sold as a slave himself. He had fallen to the depths of human degradation. And yet, the GRACE of GOD found him, SAVED him, and made him a great minister for CHRIST, and writer of great hymns. Amazing Grace is probably his greatest. He was converted in 1748, and after engaging in self education was ordained in 1764 as a minister. While serving the little church at Olney, he wrote this age - old favorite for the conclusion of a sermon. ( The 13 verses provided by Glyn Orr, Sedalia Church Kentucky ) Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook Back to Home Index page. E-Mail ~Isaac~ Wilson "Thank you for coming by my web site.....I hope that you have enjoyed your visit with me, and will suggest this site to others...... This page edited August 26th 2009,Posted 1998 by Isaac Wilson>