1 The God who once to Israel spoke
From Sinai's top, in fire and smoke,
In gentler strains of gospel grace,
Invites us now to seek his face.
2 Hark! how from Calvary it sounds;
From the Redeemer's bleeding wounds;
"Pardon and grace I freely gave,
Poor sinner, look to me and live."
3 What other arguments can move
The heart that slights a Savior's love!
Yet till Almighty power constrain,
This matchless love is preached in vain.
4 O Savior,let that power be felt,
And cause each stony heart to melt!
Deeply impress upon our youth
The light and force of gospel truth.
5 How will they else thy presence bear,
When as a Judge thou shalt appear;
When slighted love to wrath shall turn
And the whole earth like Sinai burn!
The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors, 1799
John Newton (b. London, England, 1725; d. London, 1807) was born into a Christian home, but his godly mother died when he was seven, and he joined his father at sea when he was eleven. His licentious and tumultuous sailing life included a flogging for attempted desertion from the Royal Navy and captivity by a slave trader in West Africa. After his escape he himself became the captain of a slave ship. Several factors contributed to Newton's conversion: a near-drowning in 1748, the piety of his friend Mary Catlett, (whom he married in 1750), and his reading of Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ. In 1754 he gave up the slave trade and, in association with William Wilberforce, eventually became an ardent abolitionist. After becoming a tide… Go to person page >
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