 Who hasn't heard this touching hymn? Very few I imagine in the places Christianity has reached. Who knows the story of its origins? Many fewer. I included myself in that latter group until seeing Amazing Grace in theaters earlier this year.
The writer of this famous hymn, which brings comfort to so many and a wonderful reminder of joy to those who know the grace of God, was a repentant slave trader turned monk. Although John Newton wrote other hymns, this one may have been closest to his heart. One of the first people inspired by Newton's story and hymn was William Wilburforce. The movie hints that Wilburforce was a child in the church where Newton served. Later in life, Wilburforce had a personal revival in his faith at the same time his political career was beginning to blossom. He felt he had to choose between a life of solitude and a public one, so he sought Newton's advice. Newton and his friend William Pitt help him to resolve this dilemma; he ends up doing both -- meditation leads to action. Wilburforce, the main subject of the film, worked for the abolition of the British slave trade throughout his career in the British Parliament. His health slowly decayed as a result of the stress. Yet, he kept on with the encouragement of Newton and others -- I won't tell too much as I would rather you see his story in the film. I think the movie portrayed the people well; none were all good or bad. I may be biased in my review because I really really liked Wilburforce as portrayed in this film. I share some of his perspectives: contentment from appreciating Creation, compassion for animals, connecting to God outdoors, seeking God in youth, going away for a while and being wooed back by God. His spiritual journey and outlook was that of a man who hungered for God. As he says, God found him rather than the other way around. He sought God early in life, got away from Him a while, then came back, but never lost his desire to do something meaningful. His love and compassion for the poor, the infirm (such as badly wounded soldiers who had fought against the Americans in the revolution), and animals is portrayed in this film. So, assuming that the scriptwriters portrayed events and people faithfully, this story is worthy of viewing. It may inspire us, too. We don't have to do anything so big, of course, but rather see what can be done in the corner of the world we inhabit.
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