A Slave Set Free (John Newton)

John stood and watched as some of the largest waves he had ever seen threw themselves at the ship. Very little stood between the young slave ship captain and death – and he knew it. His panic and fear made him think only of himself and nothing for the hundreds of men, women and children chained in the hold below. However, God still heard his prayers and the cries of the tortured humanity pleading for mercy and justice. The very man selling them into slavery would soon fight for their freedom. John Newton was one of the worst abusers of the African slave as he travelled the oceans to make money from their misery – but in the end his life was changed and so was theirs.

If you like this, you’ll love these: Voices against Slavery by Catherine House Ten Christians who spoke out against slavery. The Freedom Fighter by Derick Bingham William Wilberforce’s abolition of slavery act brought about the end of this despicable practice, but without Newton as his mentor this might not have happened. Ten girls who used their talents by Irene Howat includes a chapter on a famous American abolitionist, Harriet Beacher Stowe.