John Newton

'Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our 
sins in his own blood...be glory and dominion. 
Rev 1:5,6

Most are familiar with the hymn, 'Amazing Grace.'
But, how many of you have seen this one?

Let us love, and sing, and wonder,
Let us praise the Savior's name!
He has hushed the Law's loud thunder,
He has quenched Mount Sinai's flame;
He has washed us with His blood,
He has brought us nigh to God.

Let us love the Lord who bought us,
Pitied us when enemies,
Called us by His grace, and taught us,
Gave us ears, and gave us eyes:
He has washed us with His blood,
He has brought us nigh to God.

Let us sing, though fierce temptations
Threaten hard to bear us down!
For the Lord, our strong salvation,
Holds in view the conqueror's crown,
He who washed us with His blood,
Soon will bring us home to God.

Let us wonder; grace and justice
Join, and point to mercy's store;
When through grace in Christ our
     trust is,
Justice smiles, and asks no more:
He who washed us with His blood,
Has secured our way to God.

Let us praise, and join the chorus
Of the saints enthroned on high;
Here they trusted Him before us,
Now their praises fill the sky:'
'Thou hast washed us with Thy
     blood;
Thou art worthy, Lamb of God'

John Newton was a slave trader with pity for
none. God snatched him out of the fire, and
set his feet upon and rock and gave him a
new song!

A brief biography of his life:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/pastorsandpreachers/john-newton.html