Welcome back to another episode of five minutes in church history.

Last week we looked at the life of John Newton.

We returned to John Newton and this time we'll focus on his letters.

We have Newton's writing of letters in his harrowing tale, an authentic narrative.

That was published in 1764.

It was an instant success, reprinted many times over, and overnight John Newton became a celebrity in England. We also have from his

pen hundreds and hundreds of hymns, beautiful hymns. Among them we have glorious things of thee are spoken, how sweet the name of Jesus,

and of course that hymn, Amazing Grace. But we also have hundreds and hundreds of letters.

Many of these letters are very pastoral,

where John Newton offers his counsel.

He offers specific counsel to a very specific person who was dear to his heart.

We have 21 letters from John Newton to his adopted niece Betsy.

John and Mary Newton had no children of their own.

They adopted two nieces. These were

nieces from different siblings of Mary. One was Elizabeth Cunningham and the

other was Betsy Catlett. While Betsy was away at school, Newton would write letters to her.

On September 8, 1779, he wrote this,

My dear child, pray to God, and never be content or satisfied until you feel your love and desire fixed upon Him.

Nothing less will content me for you. If you should behave to me and your mama with the greatest tenderness

affection and attention as you grow up, I would still weep over you if I saw you negligent and ungrateful towards the Lord.

At another time he writes to her, then ask yourself how it is or why you are better off than others you might see.

And I hope there is something within you that will tell you whatever the reason may be,

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