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| User: | butnowisee (3222792) 'But now I see'
The Life of John Newton |
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| Name: | An Autobiography and Narrative of John Newton | ||||
| Location: | Olney, United Kingdom | ||||
| Birthdate: | 07-01 | ||||
| Bio: | PREFACE. Several memoirs of John Newton have already appeared. Why, it may be asked, publish another? It may be replied that, without disparaging unduly former biographies, the life of Newton has yet to be written; for this reason, amongst others, that the materials for an adequate memoir have only recently been accessible. They include a diary unknown to previous biographers, covering a period of fifty-seven years, and a very large correspondence, together with other documents of great value and interest, the greater part of which have never yet been published. These, together with the inheritance of traditions handed down from the friends and contemporaries of Newton himself, have come into our possession, and throw light upon many periods in the life of Newton which were previously obscure, and correct false statements and prejudices which have hitherto been current in many quarters. Hence this attempt to give a more complete history of a life so well worthy a careful record. It may be added that Mr. Newton is here made to speak as much as possible in his own person, so that the memoir is in great part an Autobiography. The presentation of such a life as Newton’s is not inopportune at the present time. He is a very striking example of one who thoroughly understood and uniformly illustrated in his life, ministry, and writings, the great doctrines of the gospel—who had a wise discernment of the relative value of the mere forms of religion and its fundamental truths,--and who possessed that spirit of true charity, which, unmindful of the lesser distinctions of party, recognizes all the true disciples of Christ as such, and seeks fellowship with them. There is considerable diversity of opinion as to the propriety of making public the contents of a diary and of private correspondence. It is thought by some to be an entrance into those secret chambers of the soul which ought to be sacred from all intrusion. It is alleged by others that diaries do not really give the true exposition of a man’s inner life. Without discussing these points, it may suffice to say that we have the virtual authority of Mr. Newton himself for quoting from his diary. He evidently thought it might be read by other eyes than his own at some future time. It has many blanks, initials, and shorthand characters, indicating such a possibility. But chiefly we refer to expressions to be found in the body of this work, in which he utters the prayer that his experience, as thus recorded, may be blessed to the use of any who in God’s providence shall be led to peruse his history. Considerable difficulty has been found in dealing judiciously with this important document. In drawing the line between what is trivial and unimportant and those details which give reality and impressiveness to the story—in presenting some statements which illustrate character, and excluding others which ought never to meet the public eye—in avoiding those repetitions of thought and language which necessarily occur in a mental transcript of so many years—there can scarcely fail to be some imperfections and faults. One other remark may be added as to the use made of matters already in print. Published works have been quoted from only so far as they contain necessary information, or furnish statements illustrating the various opinions of Mr. Newton. Thus there are some repetitions from the Memorials of the Rev. W. Bull. Had the design of this Memoir been entertained when that volume was compiled, those materials might have been kept in reserve. The Narrative has been abbreviated as much as a distinct record of its interesting facts would allow. The work we have attempted will be, we trust, in some sort a worthy monument to the memory of John Newton, a volume of interest to all lovers of evangelical truth, and a means of healthful stimulus to those who desire to consecrate themselves to the Master’s service as he did. All that remains for us to do is to commit this effort to the Divine blessing, and to express our obligations to all who have kindly aided us in our undertaking. Our best thanks are especially due to Mrs. Janson for the use of the missing volume of the diary; to A.C. Hobart Seymour, Esq., for several valuable illustrative documents; to Dr. A. Macaualy; to the Rev. C. Bingham; to Mr. T. W. Coffin, and other friends. -Rev. Josiah Bull, NEWPORT PAGNEL: 1868 | ||||
| Interests: | 11: calvinism, calvinist, hymns, john newton, letter's to a wife, narrative, olney, olney hymns, omicron, omicron's letters, william cowper | ||||
| Friends: |
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| Friend of: | 1: boomerangaz | ||||
| Account type: | Basic Account | ||||
