How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.
At all times, and in practically every circumstance of life, few hymns have charmed the heart of the child of God more than this beautiful
composition. And in all probability, had John
Newton written no other hymn, this one alone
would have made his name famous in the realm
of hymnody. Reference has already been made
to Newton's association with William Cowper and
the "Olney Hymns." To this collection the author
of "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds," contributed
280.
Few hymn writers had a more romantic and eventful life than John Newton. He was born in London in 1725. His mother, a godly, consistent Christian, stored his young mind with Scripture truths, but died when her only child was seven years old. At the age of eleven, John was taken to sea by his father, who was a captain in the Merchant Service. After making several voyages, he was one day seized by the Press Gang, and taken on board one of H.M. Warships. Associating with loose and depraved companions, young Newton threw aside the religious restraint of his early training, and became a wicked and abandoned sailor.
Tiring of the rigid discipline of the Royal Navy, he deserted his ship, for which he was publicly flogged at Plymouth, and later was dismissed for insubordination. Soon after, he took service on board a West African slaver, and for a time was engaged in the slave traffic.
It was during a terrific storm at sea, when toiling at the pumps in face of apparent death, that the conscience of the godless young sailor was awakened, and he cried aloud to God for mercy. This was the first prayer that had passed his lips for many years. The ship reached port, but the conviction of his sinful condition aroused by the thoughts of that awful night at sea, gave him no peace till he obtained rest for his troubled soul through the merits of the atoning blood of Jesus. Newton abandoned his seafaring life, and received an appointment as tide-surveyor at Liverpool.
He now turned his attention to the study of the Scriptures, and eventually coming under the influence of such men as John Wesley and George Whitefield, Newton became imbued with the desire to preach the Gospel. The greater part of his spare time was given up to preparation for the Lord's work, and after eight years at Liverpool he became curate of Olney, in Buckinghamshire. As already stated, it was here that Newton formed a life-long acquaintance with William Cowper. Most of the hymns of Newton were written at Olney, including the rugged, yet inspiring composition:
Begone, unbelief! my Saviour is near,
And for my relief will surely appear;
By prayer let me wrestle, and He will perform;
With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.
In 1779, Newton became Rector of St. Mary's Woolnoth, Lombard Street, London, where for twenty-seven years his powerful preaching attracted large crowds, and it is said that no London clergyman of that day exercised a greater influence than did John Newton. His zeal in pastoral visiting and prayer meetings was unwearied. A few years before his death, when pressed by his friends to give up preaching, his reply was characteristic of the man: "What," said he, "shall the old African blasphemer stop while he can speak?" And when, with increasing age, his memory was almost completely gone, Newton would remark to those who sought to comfort him: "Though my memory is failing, I can never forget two things; first, that I was a great sinner, and second, that Jesus is a great Saviour." Truly, he realised in his soul that he owed everything to Jesus, the sound of whose name had touched the tender chords of his heart, and in the effulgence of joy came the words:
Dear Name! the rock on which I build!
My shield and hiding-place!
My never failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace.
Newton was a man of fervent prayer, thus it is not surprising that many of his compositions strike the tender note of supplication. Amongst these there is one of surpassing beauty, which is still a favourite at our prayer meetings:
Behold the throne of grace!
The promise calls us near,
To seek our God and Father's face.
Who loves to answer prayer.
Beyond our utmost wants
His love and power can bless;
To praying souls he always grants
More than they can express.
When Newton was nearly fourscore years, he was almost blind, and could with great difficulty read his manuscript sermon, so a friend stood behind him in the pulpit to assist the aged preacher during the service. One Lord's Day, while proceeding with his address, Newton had twice read the words, "Jesus Christ is precious." "You have already said that twice," whispered his helper; "go on, sir." "John," was Newton's quick reply, "I said that twice, and I am going to say it again." And raising his voice again, he cried with renewed emphasis, "Jesus is precious!" John Newton died on December 21st, 1807, at the advanced age of eighty-two.
Besides these already quoted, other hymns by Newton to be found in our hymnals are, "Great Shepherd of Thy chosen flock," "Let us love, and sing, and wonder!" "Let us rejoice in Christ our Lord," "Poor, weak, and worthless though I am," "Sweeter sounds than music knows," and the short yet expressive parting hymn so often used as a doxology:
May the grace of Christ our Saviour,
And the Father's boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit's favour,
Rest upon us from above!
Thus may we abide in union,
With each other and the Lord,
And possess in sweet communion,
Joys which earth can ne'er afford.
From Stories and Sketches of Our Hymns and Their Writers by David J. Beattie. Kilmarnock, Scotland: John Ritchie, [1934].
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