Friday, 21 March 2025

A Storm Inspires Britain’s Favourite Hymn - Amazing Grace

Astronomy and Weather often go together and although I am an astronomer I sometimes like to talk about weather related events and here is one such story.

A furious Atlantic storm on March 21st 1748 so frightens John Newton, aboard a slave trader returning to Ireland, that he prays for divine mercy. Referring to his great deliverance in 1772 Newton now a minister and ardent abolitionist  writes of his salvation in a hymn co written with the poet William Cowper. 

The hymn Amazing Grace becomes one of the most popular hymn in the English language.


                                                      www.theramblingastronomer.co.uk

 

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