Did John Newton know that his composition would mean so much to himself twenty or thirty years later? What will I do that will stick with me two or three decades into the future? These are questions that Newton’s hymn “How Sweet the Name of Jesus”, which he wrote in 1779, might make a believer ask, if you put yourself in his shoes. Since he recalled this hymn at a point near his own life’s end early in the 19th Century, it might be assumed that this work, among all the many that he composed, was special in some way to John Newton. Let’s see what can be found.
He was 54 years old when he apparently wrote “How Sweet the Name of Jesus” in 1779, a time of change and accomplishment in his life. Newton’s life story as a converted slave-trader is well-known. By the time he was 35, in 1755, Newton wanted to give his life completely to ministry, an objective he fulfilled over the next 47 years of life. Along the way he wrote hymns, including many apparently during his first 16 years in ministry at Olney in Buckinghamshire in south-central England. With his hymnist collaborator, William Cowper, they published the Olney Hymnal in 1779, at least nominally the year of both “How Sweet the Name of Jesus” and Newton’s most well-known “Amazing Grace”. Now, did Newton actually write both hymns the same year, or does the year 1779 merely reflect their common publishing date? Probably the latter, right? 1779 was also the year that Newton took on a new job to minister in London, where he spent the remainder of his professional life. However, Olney must have been considered home by Newton, for that is where his remains are buried.
Olney stuck with Newton over the last 20-30 years of his life, despite his move to London, and so too must have the words to “How Sweet the Name of Jesus”. The story is told that one of Newton’s last messages from the pulpit in 1805 ended with his shout that “Jesus Christ is precious”, and that the assembled worshippers sang this hymn at his request. We can guess its words must have conveyed something Newton thought was important for people to hear in his 80th year. He evidently hadn’t forgotten his transgressions, judging from his poem’s words, but Newton knew how to find his way out of moral prison. And, maybe he saw in the faces of his hearers some of the guilt they still carried with them, and that they needed this name – this escape - too. Five of the hymn’s seven verses (see the link below) extol the value of His name over the broad sweep of one’s life. It’s more than a pleasant sound. It reminds me of His forgiveness, sustaining power, protection, and finally the resurrection that awaits, despite my mistakes. In short, from spiritual cradle to the grave and to rebirth, I have this name. ‘Jesus’ is a key to unlock all that might bind me in this reality…including a slave-trading reputation, or any other horror I could imagine. Grab that key and get yourself free!
Information on the song was obtained from the books “Amazing Grace – 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions”, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, 1990; and “The Complete Book of Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs”, by William J. and Ardythe Petersen, 2006.
Also see the following websites for information on Newton and the seven verses of the song: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/h/s/w/hsweetnj.htm
Background on Olney, where Newton is buried:
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