Over the last few years, it has become a tradition to celebrate Black History Month in the music during worship at St. Andrew's. This happens in different ways. Sometimes the choir presents a significant piece; other times the congregation is involved. The anthem sung on Feb. 1st was Amazing Grace, probably one of the best known hymns around the world, in a wonderful gospel arrangement by Jack Schrader. The words were written by John Newton (1725-1807) and are one of the reasons why we still recognize his name today. His mother died when John was only 6 years old and by age 11 he had followed his father to sea where John gradually rose through the ranks to become a slave ship captain. 'Through many dangers' he eventually came to faith in God and, over time, was ordained to ministry in the Anglican church. He supported William Wilberforce in his efforts to abolish slavery in Britain.
The poem we now sing as the hymn, Amazing Grace, was originally titled "Faith's Review and Expectation" and has as its subtitle the reference I Chronicles 17:16-17.
Some info from Out of the Depths, an autobiography of John Newton which was originally published in 1764. Portrait of Newton from Wikipedia.
3 comments:
Thank you for helping me with the picture, Y! (You know who you are.) :)
No problem. Any time.
Throughout the month of February, I learned the power and depth of spirituals. Thank you!
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