Out of the Depths

This book captured my heart as I read about John Newton’s rescue. In all John’s dark days and miserable sin God had His hand on him and when all hope was lost saved him. It is a remarkable story. One of my favorites.

Nothing like reading in an author's own words, the account of his life. And this account is a MUST-READ for any who may have deep discouragement over someone they love and have been praying for, even for decades. It shows stunning truths about God's amazing patience, mercy, and grace--how a mother's prayers, though she be dead, do NOT expire in their effectual power before God's throne. To Him, they remain CURRENT! Shows how the worst reprobate, God-hating sinner can be forgiven, changed, and delivered from death, and brought into the Light of God's kingdom through no power or device of his own making. Tip: The Angry Sailor, written in 3rd person, is very, very suitable version for a young person. Written as a gripping story! Find on Amazon!

Great book. It includes the original words to "Amazing Grace" which doesn't include the "When we've been there 10000 yrs..." verse. I think some recent artist, perhaps Chris Tomlin, produced a version with verses like the original. From reading John Newton's autobiography you can see the inherent rebellion against God that is present in all mankind and the depravity to which we greedily turn, as well as the truly amazing grace of God to preserve and save such sinners by the free gift of forgiveness and imputed righteousness through the Lord Jesus Christ. John Newton didn't end his life performing penance as shown in the film "Amazing Grace", but in joy and confidence in his Savior, preaching the good news virtually to the end of his life. Though blind the last two years of his life and asked by friends to slow down, his response was "What, shall the old African blasphemer stop when he can speak?" He truly lived the words of his most famous song.

I read this book because it was recommended by one of my pastors. The book illustrates the power of Jesus to save and deliver people from their life of sin. I applaud Newton's honesty with his struggle in coming to a knowledge of Jesus's grace.

Just finished reading 'Out of the Depths' the autobiography of John Newton! This man was nothing like I had in my mind as he was born of a christian mother who urged him to be a minister but he instead followed a life of sin for many years. He spotted his future wife when she was 13 yrs old, many years before they married and he said he loved her from the very first glance and that love never for one moment changed! He exposes his sin, making no excuses until God began to touch his life in ways he could not ignore! I feel I know him now and will even feel differently when I sing his marvelous song 'Amazing Grace'! Great book!

Taught to read at 3, reading with comprehension at 4, taught latin at 6, then mother died and his life went off the rails. It is amazing how many times I've heard people refer to John Newton's life and legacy and how often it has been wrong. It is most insightful to read an autobiography, the person him or herself get to tell you their story. Blessings, Will

Maybe it's just because there's a time warp between when John Newton wrote his letters and the present day, but I felt a little disappointed in reading his autobiography. As if the real feeling was missing. It felt like a record of events without the emotion that must surely have accompanied those events.Full credit to Dennis R Hillman, without whose footnotes I would've missed a lot of innuendo.Very well done, an incredible story, but next time I'll read someone else's account of Newton's life.

no comment

Excellent, encouraging book.

John Newton may not be a name known to many, many people. However if you start singing one (of his many) hymn nearly everyone in the West would know how to finish it for you - Amazing Grace. A great look at the man behind the song.

who can fault this work?

I purchased this book because I'd read Jonathan Aitken's recent biography of Newton, and wanted to read the story in Newton's own words.Alas, that's not quite what you get in this little book. Below the title, in small print, is the crucial phrase: 'Revised and Updated for Today's Readers by Dennis R Hillman.'What this means in practice is that the editor has, in his own words, 'retained some degree' of Newton's style. Sentences have been chopped up and shortened, 'difficult' words and phrases have been dropped, and so on.The end result is, I suppose, a kind of translation of Newton's original words, transposed into very basic English (or to be more accurate, basic American).To be honest, I'm not quite sure who this book is aimed at - 'Today's Readers'? Only if Today's Readers are unable to cope with anything more difficult than the level of writing found in books for young teenagers. The book has several illustrations, also of the sort that you'd expect to find in a children's book.To sum up, If you really want to read Newton's story in his own words, I suggest you look elsewhere.If, however, you just want a quick, easy-to-read overview of Newton's life from his own point of view, this book might be exactly what you want. And certainly it's a story well worth telling. It's such a good story that I hate only giving this book two stars. But this is not really Newton's autobiography so much as a 'dumbed-down' retelling of the story.