The Letters of John Newton - Mrs Hannah More 1787

"I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people! May it please the God of all grace, to accompany my feeble endeavors to promote the knowledge of His truth! If my letters are owned to comfort the afflicted, to quicken the careless, to confirm the wavering — I will rejoice." - John Newton

John Newton, well known as the author of the song,  Amazing Grace, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and became an outstanding witness to that grace that never ceased to amaze him.  From his letters we come to know a man of great humility and wisdom, and though written some 250 years ago, they continue to comfort and encourage those who take the time to read them.

Of Mrs More, the editor of the Letter, Josiah Bull, writes:

THERE are few, if any, of our readers who are ignorant of the history of this distinguished and most useful woman; who have not become acquainted with the remarkable story of the talents and accomplishments which at an early period of life introduced Miss More into the highest circles of the literary and fashionable world, of her religious enlightenment, and of her energetic and devoted labours, in connexion with her sisters, in the establishment of schools in the darkest neighbourhoods around her and over a wide extent of country, and of the great success, notwithstanding bitter opposition, which followed these efforts, and finally of her tracts and other writings which achieved so extraordinary a popularity: truly a wonderful instance of the blessed fruits of talents sanctified and consecrated to the service of God. 

Mr. Newton's acquaintance with Mrs. More commenced in 1787. She had read Cardiphonia. Struck with its truths, and the manner in which they were presented, she sought to know its author, and an interesting correspondence was the result.

[Newton, John. Letters by the Rev. John Newton: Edited by Josiah Bull, Kindle Edition ]