The Collected Letters

John Newton jointly published "Amazing Grace", "Olney Hymns" with poet William Cowper. But Newton was also a prolific correspondent and in 1781 he published "Cardiphonia", a selection of his religious correspondence which did much to help the Evangelical revival and was considered by many to be the pinnacle of his writing. "The Collected Letters" consists of the first section of this work - 26 letters to a nobleman, unabridged in this edition - and a wide selection from the rest of the letters. They cover a range of topics from advice to a student going to college; counsel for the ill, dying and bereaved and discussion on important theological topics. Newton always based his advice on the Bible and seems to have had a special gift to point people to the love of Christ - whilst always stressing mankind's need for forgiveness. John Newton spent his early years at sea, eventually as master of an African slave ship. In 1746 he was ordained and offered the parish of Olney.