0:00:01.076,0:00:04.576 (warm anticipatory music) 0:00:27.998,0:00:31.748 (anticipatory fanfare music) 0:00:36.002,0:00:39.085 (anticipatory music) 0:00:55.018,0:00:59.019 (bell ringing) (rumbling) 0:00:59.020,0:00:59.853 - Why you! 0:01:01.030,0:01:03.948 (frolicking music) 0:01:33.823,0:01:35.962 Hey, have you seen a little boy, with height like this 0:01:35.962,0:01:36.938 with an apple? 0:01:36.938,0:01:38.775 - Yeah, over there lad. 0:01:38.775,0:01:40.108 - Wait here, ah! 0:01:46.680,0:01:48.367 There you are you little blimer! 0:01:48.367,0:01:51.450 (anticipatory music) 0:01:56.882,0:01:59.677 - Hold on a moment, what is going on here? 0:01:59.677,0:02:03.276 - Much obliged Pastor Newton, now if you'll just hold him, 0:02:03.275,0:02:05.271 I'll give him the caning he deserves. 0:02:05.272,0:02:07.802 - As a point of personal privilege sir, no one shall 0:02:07.802,0:02:09.531 be whipped in my presence. 0:02:09.531,0:02:11.052 - Then you deal with him. 0:02:11.052,0:02:11.977 - What has he done wrong? 0:02:11.977,0:02:15.527 - Sir, fighting with the other boys, disobedience, 0:02:15.526,0:02:18.807 swearing, he tipped over me stall. 0:02:18.807,0:02:20.807 Oh sir, he's a bad seed. 0:02:22.605,0:02:24.942 - These are serious charges. 0:02:24.942,0:02:28.814 - I'm serious sir, please stand back and let me give 0:02:28.814,0:02:30.955 him the caning he deserves. 0:02:30.955,0:02:33.857 - Not in my presence Mr. Chapman. 0:02:33.858,0:02:37.608 - Fine, he's your problem, you deal with him! 0:02:39.472,0:02:42.139 (mumbling), ha. 0:02:45.611,0:02:46.944 - Thank you sir. 0:02:48.193,0:02:52.360 - Fighting eh, swearing, these are serious charges. 0:02:54.856,0:02:56.980 You're Ms. Watson's oldest aren't you? 0:02:56.980,0:02:58.935 - Aye, she's me stepmom. 0:02:58.935,0:03:03.102 - Hmm, well I was about to go inside for a spot of tea, 0:03:03.991,0:03:05.495 would you like to join me. 0:03:05.496,0:03:06.978 - Might there be any biscuits? 0:03:06.978,0:03:09.540 - Well there might be, let's go see. 0:03:09.539,0:03:12.206 (calming music) 0:03:40.301,0:03:42.468 So, fighting and swearing. 0:03:43.915,0:03:45.394 - You wouldn't understand. 0:03:45.394,0:03:46.227 - [Newton] No? 0:03:46.227,0:03:50.122 - How could you, you're the parson and all. 0:03:50.122,0:03:53.421 - I think I might understand much better than you think. 0:03:53.421,0:03:55.747 I was once a little boy myself. 0:03:55.747,0:03:58.679 And I think by the time I was your age I had been expelled 0:03:58.680,0:04:01.893 from two different schools for fighting and swearing. 0:04:01.893,0:04:02.975 - You, never! 0:04:03.966,0:04:08.133 - Hmm, yes I wasn't always a church parson you know. 0:04:09.265,0:04:12.852 In fact I've been a great many different things in life. 0:04:12.853,0:04:15.131 I've probably done things far worse than fighting 0:04:15.131,0:04:16.519 and swearing. 0:04:16.519,0:04:18.317 - Like what? 0:04:18.317,0:04:21.742 - Well I was a cabin boy on a ship, I was a ship's captain 0:04:21.742,0:04:24.872 later on, I was even a slave for a while. 0:04:24.872,0:04:26.812 - Nah sir, you're leading me on! 0:04:26.812,0:04:29.930 - No I'm not, would you like to hear a little of my story? 0:04:29.930,0:04:32.597 - Well, are there more biscuits? 0:04:33.802,0:04:38.153 - Hah, there might be, yes, and more tea as well. 0:04:38.153,0:04:40.519 Of course it was all a very long time ago you understand, 0:04:40.519,0:04:44.052 but, I don't think that little boys have really changed 0:04:44.052,0:04:45.469 that much do you? 0:04:47.569,0:04:49.734 I remember my dear mother as if it were only 0:04:49.733,0:04:51.067 a few weeks ago. 0:04:52.141,0:04:55.793 She taught me to pray, she taught me to read 0:04:55.793,0:04:58.836 by reading me the Scriptures. 0:04:58.836,0:05:01.253 She died when I was only six. 0:05:02.423,0:05:06.204 My father was a merchant seaman, a captain. 0:05:06.204,0:05:09.721 While I'm sure that he loved me in his own way, 0:05:09.721,0:05:13.867 I don't recall ever feeling loved by him. 0:05:13.867,0:05:16.980 He soon remarried a beautiful young woman 0:05:16.980,0:05:19.314 who bore him other children. 0:05:20.569,0:05:23.856 She wasn't terribly interested in me and so 0:05:23.857,0:05:27.612 he was away at sea and I ended up in boarding school, 0:05:27.612,0:05:30.609 it wasn't long before I was expelled from that school 0:05:30.608,0:05:32.681 for the same sort of trouble you've been in. 0:05:32.682,0:05:33.822 - Do you mean fighting? 0:05:33.822,0:05:36.812 - Aye and general disobedience. 0:05:36.812,0:05:40.104 When I was young I had this hot core of anger inside of me 0:05:40.105,0:05:42.802 that burned all the time, and it was out of control, 0:05:42.802,0:05:45.372 I couldn't control my actions always. 0:05:45.372,0:05:46.205 - Aye? 0:05:46.204,0:05:47.824 - You do understand, don't you? 0:05:47.824,0:05:50.399 It wasn't long before I was expelled from the next school 0:05:50.399,0:05:53.477 for the same thing and my father decided that the only 0:05:53.478,0:05:57.557 thing to be done was to take me to sea and so I went 0:05:57.557,0:05:59.824 on a ship with him when I was 11. 0:05:59.824,0:06:02.908 (anticipatory music) 0:06:08.473,0:06:11.182 We served as cabin boys, carrying and cleaning 0:06:11.182,0:06:15.348 and doing whatever any grownup sailor wanted done. 0:06:17.338,0:06:21.742 But that burning core of anger was still inside me, 0:06:21.742,0:06:25.482 and when it would burn, I would always end up in trouble. 0:06:25.482,0:06:27.572 - There, suck on that young master Newton, 0:06:27.572,0:06:29.747 maybe you'll think twice about slinging blasphemies 0:06:29.747,0:06:31.907 around in me galley. 0:06:31.906,0:06:34.202 - [Newton] I took my anger out on the other boys, the ones 0:06:34.202,0:06:38.369 who were smaller than I, and ended up in trouble again. 0:06:41.187,0:06:42.927 But in spite of the trouble I got into, 0:06:42.927,0:06:46.622 I grew into a man aboard merchant ships, and I became 0:06:46.622,0:06:48.455 an able-bodied seaman. 0:06:52.480,0:06:54.971 - Ship leaves next Wednesday for Jamaica, we can use you 0:06:54.971,0:06:56.403 if you'll sign on. 0:06:56.403,0:06:59.414 - Aye sir, I will, I'll be visiting in Kent for a few days 0:06:59.413,0:07:02.080 but I can be back for Wednesday. 0:07:03.235,0:07:05.605 Little did I know how those few days in Kent 0:07:05.605,0:07:09.419 would affect the rest of my life, for it was there, 0:07:09.418,0:07:11.969 staying with friends of my mother, that I met 0:07:11.970,0:07:14.470 the love of my life, my Polly. 0:07:16.411,0:07:21.182 Her name was Mary, Mary Catlett, and almost from 0:07:21.182,0:07:25.226 the first time I saw her, my heart was a captive. 0:07:25.226,0:07:28.563 My secret nickname for her was Polly. 0:07:28.564,0:07:30.730 My dear Polly, my beloved. 0:07:32.660,0:07:36.203 She was a little younger than I, and her beautiful smile 0:07:36.202,0:07:40.369 melted my heart and made a permanent mark upon my soul. 0:07:49.425,0:07:53.569 - Mr. Newton, I shall speak plainly, we loved your 0:07:53.569,0:07:57.157 dear mother and held her in the highest regard, 0:07:57.156,0:08:01.088 Mary is too young yet for any decision, but her father 0:08:01.088,0:08:04.673 and I do not object to an understanding provided-- 0:08:04.673,0:08:05.748 - Yes? 0:08:05.749,0:08:08.653 - Provided that when you return from your voyages 0:08:08.653,0:08:12.290 we will see some signs of stability and of prospect. 0:08:12.290,0:08:13.605 - Prospect? 0:08:13.605,0:08:17.317 - Prospect for a living Mr. Newton is of great importance. 0:08:17.317,0:08:20.898 - Yes, I shall keep that in mind Mrs. Catlett, 0:08:20.898,0:08:22.138 and I shall return. 0:08:22.137,0:08:24.585 (frolicking music) 0:08:24.586,0:08:27.746 Now I went back to sea with a goal in mind, 0:08:27.745,0:08:32.006 to make my way, to find advancement, to make my fortune, 0:08:32.006,0:08:35.923 so that I could return and marry my dear Polly. 0:08:38.542,0:08:41.125 (bell ringing) 0:08:46.565,0:08:50.416 The beautiful memory of her smile, of her sweet face, 0:08:50.416,0:08:55.145 got me through many long watches and lonely nights at sea. 0:08:55.144,0:08:57.347 But even the memory of her smile could not 0:08:57.347,0:09:02.225 keep me from trouble, that hot anger burned inside me still 0:09:02.225,0:09:04.392 and would boil over at times. 0:09:04.392,0:09:08.855 (anticipatory music) (groaning) 0:09:08.855,0:09:10.688 - Send him to the surgery. 0:09:10.688,0:09:14.855 And you, you're on report, reduced rations for a week. 0:09:16.859,0:09:20.280 - [Newton] And of course I was a seaman at sea, no different 0:09:20.279,0:09:24.110 from any other, when it poured I joined heartily 0:09:24.110,0:09:27.027 in the sins that waited any sailor. 0:09:30.099,0:09:32.932 - Oh! (chattering) 0:09:35.033,0:09:38.201 - [Newton] But not all temptations were in port. 0:09:38.201,0:09:41.332 - Ah you're a fool if you believe all that blatter. 0:09:41.332,0:09:46.097 All of this can be explained by reason and science. 0:09:46.097,0:09:50.617 Ah there's no God up there, the rationalists have it right. 0:09:50.618,0:09:52.866 - Is that what you do when you're off duty, 0:09:52.865,0:09:54.351 read philosophers? 0:09:54.351,0:09:57.348 - Aye, there's lots of hours at sea, John. 0:09:57.349,0:10:01.429 Lots of time to think, Hobbes, Voltaire. 0:10:01.428,0:10:05.278 They make more sense than a pack of priests mumbling Latin. 0:10:05.278,0:10:09.959 Ah, nothing but superstition to control the rest of us. 0:10:09.958,0:10:14.125 You should read Hobbes, I'll loan you his book, Leviathan. 0:10:20.711,0:10:24.817 - [John] And so I too became a sailor-philosopher of sorts. 0:10:24.817,0:10:28.874 Spinoza and Hobbes, often made quite a deal of sense. 0:10:28.874,0:10:32.639 And just as often made me doubt the simple faith 0:10:32.639,0:10:33.972 of my childhood. 0:10:35.804,0:10:39.598 One night, at sea, I fell asleep over a book, 0:10:39.599,0:10:42.883 and I had the strangest dream, one that would come back 0:10:42.883,0:10:46.110 to me again and again throughout my life. 0:10:46.110,0:10:49.693 (mysterious calming music) 0:11:03.211,0:11:07.216 - As long as you preserve this ring, you will be successful 0:11:07.216,0:11:11.216 and happy, but should you lose it or part of it, 0:11:12.899,0:11:16.316 you must only expect sorrow and distress. 0:11:58.357,0:12:01.107 - You believe that ring is magic? 0:12:03.094,0:12:06.525 - As long as I preserve and keep it, 0:12:06.524,0:12:09.831 I should be happy and successful. 0:12:09.831,0:12:12.024 - Are you knocky boy? 0:12:12.024,0:12:16.722 What a simpleton, you believe anything you're told don't ya? 0:12:16.722,0:12:18.048 - It seemed right. 0:12:18.048,0:12:21.738 - What's right about it, some stranger hands you a ring, 0:12:21.738,0:12:26.623 tells you it's magic, it's a talisman, and you believe him? 0:12:26.623,0:12:29.238 What a (mumbling)! 0:12:29.238,0:12:33.071 Seriously John, how can you buy such claptrap? 0:12:33.971,0:12:36.312 You ascribe magical powers to a wee piece of metal, 0:12:36.312,0:12:38.668 shaped in a circle. 0:12:38.668,0:12:42.836 I'd be ashamed to admit such superstitions to another man. 0:12:43.735,0:12:47.290 Don't you understand that by subscribing to 0:12:47.291,0:12:51.458 such superstitions it saps your own human powers of reason? 0:12:53.109,0:12:54.978 Throw it away. 0:12:54.977,0:12:58.644 Go on, throw it away, create your own faith, 0:12:59.504,0:13:03.995 take control of your own destiny, go on, throw it away, 0:13:03.995,0:13:06.663 go on, go on, show you're a man! 0:13:11.408,0:13:12.241 Aye. 0:13:30.399,0:13:32.129 (anticipatory music) 0:13:32.129,0:13:34.086 (water splashing) 0:13:34.086,0:13:36.746 (laughs) 0:13:36.746,0:13:40.351 Oh you are a fool, what a (mumbling), believe anything 0:13:40.351,0:13:44.269 you're told, but now you're lost, for that ring 0:13:46.085,0:13:51.065 contained in it all the mercy (mumbling). 0:13:51.065,0:13:54.518 And now it's gone, at your own hand. 0:13:54.518,0:13:57.268 (fire crackling) 0:14:29.120,0:14:32.370 (moves into sad music) 0:14:37.399,0:14:40.649 - [Hooded Man] What did you do with it? 0:14:41.849,0:14:43.349 - I threw it away. 0:14:44.287,0:14:46.454 (weeping) 0:14:47.681,0:14:49.014 I threw it away! 0:14:50.313,0:14:52.396 - Where did you throw it? 0:14:58.628,0:15:01.461 (water splashing) 0:15:14.894,0:15:17.061 I brought it back for you. 0:15:18.764,0:15:19.596 No. 0:15:22.182,0:15:25.144 If you're to be entrusted with this ring again, 0:15:25.144,0:15:28.571 you will soon bring yourself to the same distress, 0:15:28.571,0:15:32.735 you're not able to keep it, but, I will preserve it for 0:15:32.735,0:15:36.903 you, and whenever it is needful, I will produce it 0:15:38.508,0:15:39.758 on your behalf. 0:16:03.547,0:16:06.180 - [John] It wasn't long before that voyage was nearing 0:16:06.179,0:16:09.116 its end and I would be able to return to Kent 0:16:09.116,0:16:13.562 to visit my Polly, as the ship turned home, all my thoughts 0:16:13.562,0:16:16.629 had turned to her and the prospect of again seeing 0:16:16.629,0:16:17.879 her sweet face. 0:16:21.457,0:16:23.207 But it was not to be. 0:16:24.504,0:16:29.013 Less than five miles from her house, I encountered 0:16:29.013,0:16:33.144 a press gang, these were the days of an impeding war 0:16:33.144,0:16:37.162 with France, and the Navy needed fresh men all the time. 0:16:37.162,0:16:39.723 Press gangs roamed the country authorized to virtually 0:16:39.722,0:16:42.576 kidnap a likely young lad, and press him into 0:16:42.576,0:16:44.634 the service of His Majesty's Navy. 0:16:44.634,0:16:46.658 - Run, it's a press gang! 0:16:46.658,0:16:49.740 (anticipatory music) 0:16:59.788,0:17:02.961 (loud thudding) 0:17:02.961,0:17:05.627 (ship creaking) 0:17:10.018,0:17:11.518 - Aye, he's awake. 0:17:12.804,0:17:16.971 Welcome to His Majesty's Navy, what's your name son? 0:17:18.614,0:17:20.114 - Ah, John Newton. 0:17:25.567,0:17:26.951 We're at sea? 0:17:26.951,0:17:29.517 - Aye, a day out of Liverpool, you was the last 0:17:29.517,0:17:33.795 conscript brought on board, here drink something, 0:17:33.795,0:17:36.045 it'll help you feel better. 0:17:47.463,0:17:49.024 - What's the ship? 0:17:49.025,0:17:53.197 - HMS Eridge, newly commissioned man-of-war. 0:17:53.196,0:17:55.729 Under the command of Captain Carteret. 0:17:55.730,0:17:59.189 We're on our way to France to defend King and Country. 0:17:59.189,0:18:01.313 We're always fighting with France or Spain, 0:18:01.313,0:18:03.813 ever since Eve bit that apple. 0:18:04.991,0:18:08.346 - I was on my ways to propose to my beloved. 0:18:08.346,0:18:11.490 - Ah that's a shame, four years we'll be out I expect. 0:18:11.490,0:18:13.621 - Four years? - Aye. 0:18:13.621,0:18:15.003 - Oh... 0:18:15.002,0:18:17.919 (foreboding music) 0:18:54.203,0:18:58.342 Captured, carried away from my love against my will. 0:18:58.343,0:18:59.843 Imprisoned at sea. 0:19:03.269,0:19:06.652 Each day on the ocean took me further from Polly, 0:19:06.652,0:19:08.985 and increased my resentment. 0:19:19.699,0:19:23.257 - Hey Johnny, Johnny, you got to get along with 0:19:23.257,0:19:26.312 the other sailors, we've all got our crosses to bear. 0:19:26.311,0:19:27.728 - Leave me alone! 0:19:32.309,0:19:35.938 The smoldering anger that had always burned in me 0:19:35.939,0:19:38.355 was now a fire of resentment. 0:19:39.694,0:19:44.671 I obeyed orders, I did my job, but I did so with a solemn 0:19:44.671,0:19:48.671 attitude, in my mind God himself had cheated me. 0:19:51.201,0:19:53.368 Why did you do this to me? 0:19:55.334,0:19:57.510 Am I such a sinner that you just singled me out 0:19:57.510,0:19:59.427 for special punishment? 0:20:06.222,0:20:08.556 I've nothing to do with you. 0:20:12.102,0:20:15.185 (anticipatory music) 0:20:21.392,0:20:25.265 But I was no fool, I soon perceived that I had a greater 0:20:25.265,0:20:29.574 chance of liberty if I was promoted and so I began to focus 0:20:29.574,0:20:32.567 all my rage into hard work and efforts to please 0:20:32.567,0:20:37.126 the officers, not because I had any true respect for them, 0:20:37.126,0:20:41.293 but because I saw it as my opportunity for a change. 0:20:43.836,0:20:46.002 So I started to work hard. 0:20:46.864,0:20:47.697 Aye sir! 0:20:48.650,0:20:50.576 And I showed officers great respect. 0:20:50.576,0:20:51.409 - Newton. 0:20:53.064,0:20:54.196 - [John] Aye sir? 0:20:54.195,0:20:55.605 - Good job seaman. 0:20:55.605,0:20:56.813 - Thank you sir. 0:20:56.813,0:20:58.813 At least to their faces. 0:20:59.750,0:21:00.584 Fool. 0:21:15.125,0:21:16.225 You wish to see me sir? 0:21:16.226,0:21:18.331 - Aye, Mr. Newton. 0:21:18.330,0:21:20.266 Your father's a merchant captain. 0:21:20.267,0:21:21.748 - Aye sir. 0:21:21.748,0:21:24.452 - I've heard good things of him, he's written me 0:21:24.452,0:21:27.571 asking that I consider you for advancement. 0:21:27.571,0:21:30.064 I've spoken to the mate and he says that you have 0:21:30.065,0:21:32.527 been an exemplary seaman. 0:21:32.527,0:21:33.870 - I try my best sir. 0:21:33.869,0:21:37.565 - That's the attitude, what would you say to being promoted 0:21:37.566,0:21:38.732 to midshipman? 0:21:39.798,0:21:41.945 - Aye sir, I would like that very much. 0:21:41.945,0:21:46.241 - Didn't think you'd refuse, so be it, you are promoted 0:21:46.241,0:21:48.076 to midshipman. 0:21:48.076,0:21:51.160 (warm calming music) 0:21:59.571,0:22:02.061 - Being a midshipman meant that I was a sort of apprentice 0:22:02.061,0:22:06.246 officer and I was set over my former mates. 0:22:06.247,0:22:09.163 Come on you sluggards, get to work! 0:22:10.296,0:22:12.963 Do that mopping, I want that cleaned up, (mumbling). 0:22:12.963,0:22:16.630 Aye sir, set the topsail, belay the shrouds! 0:22:22.595,0:22:24.345 Sails mended, seamen. 0:22:29.780,0:22:33.486 While I behaved with perfect form to my superiors, 0:22:33.487,0:22:36.437 the rage inside me often was taken out on the sailors 0:22:36.436,0:22:40.003 who were now under me, much as I had once bullied smaller 0:22:40.003,0:22:40.836 children. 0:22:40.836,0:22:42.339 You call that a knot, seaman? 0:22:42.339,0:22:43.824 - Aye sir, figure-of-eight. 0:22:43.825,0:22:45.848 - It's a throbbing mess! 0:22:45.848,0:22:47.670 Take it apart and start again. 0:22:47.671,0:22:49.268 - Aye sir... 0:22:49.268,0:22:52.683 - Talk back and there'll be no rations for you tonight. 0:22:52.683,0:22:53.600 - Aye, sir. 0:22:57.470,0:23:00.430 - [John] After some months at sea patrolling the Channel, 0:23:00.430,0:23:03.979 and even fighting skirmishes with French ships, 0:23:03.979,0:23:06.729 (cannons firing) 0:23:10.121,0:23:12.064 (cannonball exploding) 0:23:12.064,0:23:14.890 we had to put back into Plymouth for repairs, 0:23:14.890,0:23:17.456 and then it was that I had my chance. 0:23:17.455,0:23:21.134 - Mr. Newton, while we have repairs I'm going to permit 0:23:21.134,0:23:23.991 a rotational shore leave for the seamen. 0:23:23.991,0:23:26.735 I'm assigning you to go ashore with them and supervise 0:23:26.736,0:23:29.074 to make sure none of desert. 0:23:29.074,0:23:29.907 - Aye sir. 0:23:31.301,0:23:35.468 It was as if the master had left the cat to guard the cream. 0:23:38.917,0:23:41.606 I'll be back at sunset, anyone not here and ready to 0:23:41.606,0:23:44.945 return to the ship shall be counted as deserting, 0:23:44.945,0:23:46.404 and you'll feel the lash. 0:23:46.404,0:23:47.976 - [Seamen] Aye sir! 0:23:47.977,0:23:49.901 - All right off with you! 0:23:49.901,0:23:53.326 (laughing) (chattering) 0:23:53.326,0:23:57.884 Here at last was my chance to go see my Polly. 0:23:57.884,0:24:00.973 I wasn't much on thinking things through in those days 0:24:00.973,0:24:03.083 and it didn't really occur to me 0:24:03.084,0:24:06.250 that desertion would catch up with me. 0:24:17.471,0:24:20.555 (anticipatory music) 0:24:27.605,0:24:29.749 - John Henry Newton! 0:24:29.749,0:24:33.486 I have a warrant for your arrest for the desertion 0:24:33.486,0:24:35.486 from His Majesty's Navy! 0:24:39.308,0:24:42.262 - Mr. John Newton, charged with desertion from 0:24:42.262,0:24:45.215 His Majesty's Royal Navy, a charge punishable 0:24:45.215,0:24:48.376 by death when found guilty by court-martial. 0:24:48.376,0:24:50.629 Or lesser punishment by a ship's captain 0:24:50.630,0:24:55.312 as defined by Article 16 of the Article of War. 0:24:55.311,0:24:59.189 Captain, what shall be the punishment? 0:24:59.190,0:25:03.362 - He shall be demoted from his present position 0:25:03.362,0:25:05.561 and stripped of all rank. 0:25:05.560,0:25:08.814 He shall be tied to the main mast and administered 0:25:08.815,0:25:10.731 12 lashes with the cat. 0:25:12.917,0:25:16.386 Let each of you witness what happen to those who desert 0:25:16.386,0:25:18.636 from His Majesty's service. 0:25:23.564,0:25:27.730 (drum banging) (whip cracking) 0:25:50.567,0:25:52.817 (groaning) 0:25:56.122,0:26:00.825 No one shall speak a word to Mr. Newton for seven days. 0:26:00.825,0:26:04.670 No one shall show him favor, no one shall share 0:26:04.670,0:26:08.595 any ration with him, other than the bread and water 0:26:08.595,0:26:11.916 assigned by the galley master. 0:26:11.916,0:26:14.112 Are these instructions clear? 0:26:14.113,0:26:15.696 - [Seamen] Aye sir! 0:26:21.816,0:26:25.730 - You got your own now don't you Mr. High and Mighty? 0:26:25.730,0:26:29.314 You got nothing more than what you deserve. 0:26:31.380,0:26:33.130 Enjoy your meal, sir. 0:26:38.218,0:26:41.134 (foreboding music) 0:27:19.702,0:27:23.869 - It's healing up, you can sleep in the hammock from now on. 0:27:24.778,0:27:28.695 We'll have you up swabbing the deck in no time. 0:27:34.316,0:27:36.649 (sad music) 0:27:41.436,0:27:43.088 - Mr. Jensen. 0:27:43.088,0:27:44.485 - Master word to Mr. Jensen. 0:27:44.486,0:27:45.569 - Mr. Smythe. 0:27:46.423,0:27:48.933 - Master word to Mr. Smythe. 0:27:48.933,0:27:50.350 - And Mr. Newton. 0:27:53.627,0:27:54.736 - But captain, sir? 0:27:54.737,0:27:56.820 - I said Mr. Newton, sir. 0:27:58.036,0:28:00.006 - Master word to Mr. Newton. 0:28:00.006,0:28:02.432 - [John] The captain had conscripted two gunners from 0:28:02.432,0:28:05.925 a passing ship, maritime law required that he replaced them 0:28:05.925,0:28:08.906 with able-bodied seamen, so that the civilian ship 0:28:08.906,0:28:11.400 would not be shorthanded. 0:28:11.401,0:28:14.558 This gave Captain Carteret the perfect opportunity 0:28:14.558,0:28:16.732 to get rid of some troublemakers. 0:28:16.732,0:28:20.536 - Able-Bodied seamen my arse, two here with scurvy 0:28:20.536,0:28:23.698 and one barely recovered from the scourge. 0:28:23.698,0:28:25.605 Well I can tell ya, you'll feel the cat again 0:28:25.605,0:28:27.151 you disobey on this ship. 0:28:27.151,0:28:28.718 - [Seamen] Aye sir. 0:28:28.718,0:28:33.192 - This is a slave ship, we'll be 18 months on the Triangle. 0:28:33.192,0:28:37.836 Serve well and you'll be rewarded, serve poorly 0:28:37.836,0:28:40.574 and you'll be punished, understood? 0:28:40.574,0:28:42.610 - [Seamen] Aye sir. 0:28:42.609,0:28:43.442 - Dismissed! 0:28:43.442,0:28:46.526 (anticipatory music) 0:29:09.760,0:29:13.261 - [John] I came to like many of the sailors of the Levant. 0:29:13.261,0:29:17.015 But the old rage still burned inside me. 0:29:17.016,0:29:19.452 But now it was directed all at the captain. 0:29:19.452,0:29:22.744 - That's a sloppy bit of work there Mr. Newton. 0:29:22.744,0:29:24.735 If that's the way you worked on the Eridge, 0:29:24.736,0:29:26.903 no wonder you got flogged. 0:29:34.502,0:29:37.156 - Aye listen up mates, I've come up with a little song 0:29:37.156,0:29:39.896 about old Mr. Phelps up here. 0:29:39.896,0:29:43.020 ♫ Did you ever see the lines since you been to sea 0:29:43.020,0:29:45.776 ♫ Let the good ship rock 0:29:45.776,0:29:48.509 ♫ A benty-leggy captain with a bent back knee 0:29:48.509,0:29:51.344 ♫ Wobbling down the dock 0:29:51.344,0:29:53.962 ♫ Wobbling down the dock 0:29:53.962,0:29:56.872 ♫ Let the good ship roll and rock 0:29:56.872,0:29:59.878 ♫ Better call a coward, or cower up the wall 0:29:59.877,0:30:02.917 ♫ Wobbling down the dock 0:30:02.917,0:30:05.617 ♫ Wobbling down the dock 0:30:05.617,0:30:08.446 ♫ Let the good ship roll and rock 0:30:08.446,0:30:11.059 ♫ Better call a coward, or cower up the wall 0:30:11.059,0:30:15.117 ♫ Wobbling down the dock 0:30:15.117,0:30:18.201 (anticipatory music) 0:30:23.186,0:30:25.810 - We'll anchor at the Banana Islands in Sierra Leone 0:30:25.810,0:30:28.644 tomorrow, I'll need a crew of three to row me in 0:30:28.644,0:30:30.644 to meet with the trader. 0:30:31.564,0:30:33.897 Harkness, Smythe and Newton. 0:30:37.686,0:30:40.344 The following day we'll sail to (mumbling) Bay 0:30:40.345,0:30:42.595 where we'll load the cargo. 0:30:52.349,0:30:53.516 - I like that. 0:30:56.604,0:30:59.701 (mumbling) staying here (mumbling). 0:30:59.701,0:31:01.841 - You like what you see then? 0:31:01.840,0:31:05.894 - Do I, I bet the young trader there lives like a king. 0:31:05.894,0:31:07.966 What's not to like. 0:31:07.967,0:31:09.495 What do you think Newton? 0:31:09.494,0:31:11.613 - Ah you both are daft. 0:31:11.614,0:31:13.689 It might be nice for a while. 0:31:13.689,0:31:16.267 I wanna get back to England, 0:31:16.267,0:31:18.350 and I wanna see my Polly. 0:31:24.971,0:31:28.641 - Smythe, Harkness, make ready the boat. 0:31:28.641,0:31:31.141 Newton, you stay here with me. 0:31:32.101,0:31:35.623 Mr. Campbell, this is Mr. Newton, the young man 0:31:35.623,0:31:37.845 I was telling you about. 0:31:37.845,0:31:38.952 - It's a pleasure to meet you Mr-- 0:31:38.952,0:31:41.572 (groaning) (anticipatory music) 0:31:41.573,0:31:45.403 - You won't be so pleased once you understand the deal. 0:31:45.403,0:31:48.591 I've traded you Mr. Newton, you're gonna stay here 0:31:48.590,0:31:52.757 as a servant, how do you like them apples Mr. Funnyman? 0:32:10.252,0:32:12.336 - So you've met the lash? 0:32:13.423,0:32:17.590 You'll meet again soon enough if you don't serve well. 0:32:19.756,0:32:22.504 You're my property now Newton, and there's no way 0:32:22.503,0:32:25.913 off this island without me knowledge or me permission. 0:32:25.913,0:32:29.220 So don't you go be getting any bright ideas. 0:32:29.220,0:32:33.163 You have to be a servant for me wife, serve her well, 0:32:33.163,0:32:37.006 do as your told, and your life will be much easier. 0:32:37.006,0:32:40.019 But you buck against, and you'll find out just how 0:32:40.019,0:32:41.602 hard a life can be. 0:32:43.443,0:32:46.499 You guards, take him to Peyai. 0:32:46.499,0:32:49.875 She's always wanted to have a white man as a slave. 0:32:49.875,0:32:51.709 And now she's got one. 0:32:54.515,0:32:57.432 (foreboding music) 0:33:05.140,0:33:08.637 - He is not much to look at, is he? 0:33:08.636,0:33:12.873 Give him a mat, and chain him behind the house. 0:33:12.873,0:33:14.873 First we must break him. 0:33:27.258,0:33:32.175 - [John] My defiance, my sins, had all caught up with me. 0:33:32.175,0:33:33.425 I was a slave. 0:33:40.086,0:33:43.410 They gave me only a little to eat for days, 0:33:43.410,0:33:46.526 just enough to drink to keep me alive. 0:33:46.526,0:33:49.442 (foreboding music) 0:34:17.563,0:34:21.521 - We take the chains off today, you are Peyai's slave. 0:34:21.521,0:34:23.021 Do you understand? 0:34:24.849,0:34:27.516 You must do exactly as she bids. 0:34:29.396,0:34:32.729 If you try to run away, we will hunt you 0:34:33.827,0:34:37.994 and chain you, if you disobey you will be whipped. 0:34:41.125,0:34:45.215 If you try to run away twice, we will kill you, 0:34:45.215,0:34:49.382 slowly, in a way that will make you wish for death to come. 0:34:50.844,0:34:52.517 Do you understand? 0:34:52.518,0:34:53.998 - Yes. 0:34:53.998,0:34:57.831 - [Head Guard] Now go and serve your mistress. 0:35:06.480,0:35:08.563 - Ah my little white man. 0:35:09.855,0:35:13.148 Oh you must be so terribly hungry, how could you 0:35:13.148,0:35:16.532 have treated my little white man so badly? 0:35:16.532,0:35:19.199 Here, let me give you some food. 0:35:21.364,0:35:24.822 You would like something to eat, wouldn't you? 0:35:24.822,0:35:29.226 I'm sure you would, I'm sure you are starving. 0:35:29.226,0:35:31.559 The food will taste so good. 0:35:35.693,0:35:37.943 (laughing) 0:36:03.427,0:36:06.344 - [John] She worked me like a mule. 0:36:10.509,0:36:14.634 She seemed to take particular delight in watching me suffer. 0:36:14.634,0:36:18.800 Often making me do chores that were simply pointless. 0:36:20.175,0:36:24.342 - Ah, very good, now that you have placed the logs here, 0:36:27.007,0:36:30.911 put them back and place them exactly where you found them. 0:36:30.911,0:36:35.078 (laughing) (ominous music) 0:37:05.298,0:37:09.215 Newton, Newton, I want some fresh coconut milk. 0:37:12.050,0:37:13.467 Go bring me some. 0:37:35.432,0:37:38.432 (monkey screeching) 0:38:02.534,0:38:03.784 Newton, Newton! 0:38:10.452,0:38:11.286 Newton! 0:38:15.585,0:38:17.166 (anticipatory music) 0:38:17.166,0:38:19.916 Where is my coconut milk, Newton? 0:38:22.427,0:38:24.677 I want my coconut milk now. 0:38:25.514,0:38:26.514 Where is he? 0:38:31.757,0:38:34.674 - You are useless, even as a slave. 0:38:44.195,0:38:47.530 - [John] For a long time I felt nothing but hunger 0:38:47.530,0:38:51.448 and despair, I could never forget that I was the lowest 0:38:51.447,0:38:55.641 form of life on the island, even the native slaves 0:38:55.641,0:38:58.463 had thatched huts to live in. 0:38:58.463,0:39:02.438 While I had to sleep on the ground under the stars. 0:39:02.438,0:39:05.547 On the other hand, Campbell and Peyai lived in 0:39:05.547,0:39:10.175 a great brick house at the center of the island, 0:39:10.175,0:39:13.260 I was seldom allowed in the big house. 0:39:13.260,0:39:16.010 And then only to do menial labor. 0:39:17.329,0:39:21.527 But as long as I obeyed Peyai's abusive commands, 0:39:21.527,0:39:25.445 they fed me a little, and I regained some strength 0:39:25.445,0:39:27.445 in mind as well as body. 0:39:29.411,0:39:32.327 (foreboding music) 0:39:34.038,0:39:37.367 One night I lay looking at the expanse of the heavens. 0:39:37.367,0:39:39.501 I began to try and see how many constellations I could 0:39:39.501,0:39:44.141 identify, how many stars I could name, this became 0:39:44.141,0:39:47.593 a nightly game, that became a private area of freedom 0:39:47.592,0:39:51.759 for me, and I began to dream again of my dear Polly, 0:39:53.472,0:39:55.055 my beautiful Polly. 0:39:56.981,0:40:00.148 I wonder if I will ever see her again. 0:40:01.704,0:40:04.074 Then one night it seemed to me that a group of stars 0:40:04.074,0:40:08.108 formed a circle, a ring, a constellation I had never seen 0:40:08.108,0:40:10.025 before and never since. 0:40:11.108,0:40:13.109 It may have been my eyes playing a trick 0:40:13.108,0:40:16.371 or perhaps a planet had wandered into an unusual position 0:40:16.371,0:40:20.960 visible from this latitude but that night I could indeed 0:40:20.960,0:40:24.626 see a ring, a ring like the one in my dream. 0:40:27.005,0:40:29.715 - You're not able to keep it. 0:40:29.715,0:40:33.882 But I will preserve it for you and whenever it is needful 0:40:35.518,0:40:38.268 I will produce it on your behalf. 0:40:48.820,0:40:51.825 During the days when Peyai was in a mood, 0:40:51.824,0:40:55.742 I would work very hard but then there would be hours 0:40:55.742,0:40:59.076 of boredom when there was nothing to do. 0:41:03.382,0:41:07.423 One day I found a small lime tree growing near the village, 0:41:07.422,0:41:09.675 that seemed much like me. 0:41:09.675,0:41:13.407 Beating and starving, despairing of life. 0:41:13.407,0:41:15.985 I adopted that little tree as my own 0:41:15.985,0:41:20.688 and began to take care of it to water and to fertilize it. 0:41:20.688,0:41:23.539 I found other seedlings and planted them in what became 0:41:23.539,0:41:25.231 my own little garden. 0:41:25.231,0:41:27.898 (calming music) 0:41:35.827,0:41:38.789 One day, Campbell had me move heavy crates 0:41:38.789,0:41:42.956 into the big house, I was alone for a few moments, 0:41:43.869,0:41:47.869 and there I came upon a dusty old geometry book. 0:41:50.130,0:41:52.963 I took it and hit it under my mat. 0:41:55.726,0:41:58.971 I began in my spare time to work geometry problems. 0:41:58.971,0:42:02.396 Scratching diagrams in the sand. 0:42:02.396,0:42:06.065 Using the sun and the shadow of my little lime tree, 0:42:06.065,0:42:08.479 I calculated the latitude and longitude of the islands 0:42:08.478,0:42:09.395 we were on. 0:42:10.353,0:42:14.025 Which were commonly called the Banana Islands. 0:42:14.025,0:42:16.908 Just like the stars, like the little lime tree, it gave 0:42:16.909,0:42:20.124 me something to focus on, a space that was mine 0:42:20.123,0:42:21.373 and mine alone. 0:42:22.844,0:42:24.994 There was little that I could do with the knowledge, 0:42:24.994,0:42:27.913 but the exercise did much to keep my mind occupied 0:42:27.913,0:42:28.746 and sharp. 0:42:34.130,0:42:36.474 One day when I was tending to my little garden 0:42:36.474,0:42:39.745 and passing the time with equations written in the sand, 0:42:39.744,0:42:42.304 Mr. Campbell and Peyai walked down the path 0:42:42.304,0:42:45.387 and caught sight of what I was doing. 0:42:46.815,0:42:50.103 - Newton, what are you doing man? 0:42:50.103,0:42:52.567 Are you growing your own limes? 0:42:52.567,0:42:56.152 - [John] I was terrified that Peyai, as cruel as she was 0:42:56.152,0:42:59.695 would make me destroy my little place of sanity. 0:42:59.695,0:43:02.162 - Well who knows, maybe one day before those 0:43:02.161,0:43:04.014 trees are full grown you can sail back 0:43:04.014,0:43:07.879 to England and you can be the captain of your own boat. 0:43:07.880,0:43:09.548 Then you can come back here and enjoy the fruits 0:43:09.547,0:43:10.689 of your labor. 0:43:10.690,0:43:13.590 - Then again perhaps he will become the King of Poland. 0:43:13.590,0:43:15.840 (laughing) 0:43:21.532,0:43:22.782 - What is this? 0:43:24.773,0:43:27.018 Do you understand the mathematics? 0:43:27.018,0:43:29.268 - Yes sir, I taught myself. 0:43:30.478,0:43:34.644 - Oh, you might not be a complete waste after all. 0:43:39.574,0:43:42.491 (foreboding music) 0:43:53.083,0:43:56.530 Here are a set of equations, I'd like for you to solve them. 0:43:56.530,0:43:58.690 - What is it, a test? 0:43:58.690,0:44:01.608 - Aye if you will, I want to see just how good you are 0:44:01.608,0:44:05.192 with these mathematics, sit down, sit down. 0:44:15.358,0:44:18.441 (anticipatory music) 0:44:35.170,0:44:38.922 I'm in need of a clerk to manage me factory at Kittam. 0:44:38.922,0:44:41.501 They don't very many people in Sierra Leone who understand 0:44:41.501,0:44:43.018 numbers. 0:44:43.018,0:44:44.117 - Factory? 0:44:44.117,0:44:47.284 - Aye, it's me slave trading post, it's where 0:44:47.284,0:44:49.787 the Bombo bring the slaves from the interior 0:44:49.786,0:44:52.736 and make them ready for transport to the West Indies. 0:44:52.737,0:44:55.108 My brother runs the factory, but he's in need of someone 0:44:55.108,0:44:58.655 who can keep the accounts, you will go there, 0:44:58.655,0:45:01.154 you will serve him now. 0:45:01.155,0:45:03.155 The guard will take you. 0:45:04.278,0:45:07.195 (foreboding music) 0:45:43.501,0:45:46.618 - At Kittam my life changed dramatically, 0:45:46.617,0:45:50.085 I had new clean clothes to wear, Angus Campbell 0:45:50.085,0:45:53.085 treated me well, almost as an equal. 0:45:55.791,0:45:58.458 (calming music) 0:46:17.657,0:46:19.967 The Bombo treated me with respect, 0:46:19.967,0:46:22.510 inviting me to their feasts. 0:46:22.510,0:46:26.677 (cheerful drumming) (cheering) 0:46:37.628,0:46:41.376 I thought of Polly often, before long I had given up 0:46:41.376,0:46:45.011 any hope of ever returning to England. 0:46:45.010,0:46:46.637 My circumstance had changed from one 0:46:46.637,0:46:50.260 of daily despair to one of comfort, 0:46:50.260,0:46:54.427 I had all I needed, food, shelter, clothing, respect. 0:46:55.516,0:46:56.766 And even women. 0:46:57.902,0:47:01.728 Thoughts of England faded, and my life in Kittam 0:47:01.728,0:47:05.529 began to envelop every part of my being. 0:47:05.530,0:47:08.200 The other settlers even had an expression for it, 0:47:08.199,0:47:10.532 they called it going native. 0:47:11.367,0:47:13.784 (applauding) 0:47:14.871,0:47:19.038 (anticipatory drumming) (singing foreign language) 0:47:25.760,0:47:27.976 What are they saying? 0:47:27.976,0:47:29.559 - It means freedom. 0:47:46.030,0:47:48.947 (foreboding music) 0:47:58.913,0:48:01.210 - [John] But then came the day when my entire world 0:48:01.210,0:48:04.757 would suddenly change again as if a lightning bolt 0:48:04.757,0:48:05.922 had struck. 0:48:05.922,0:48:08.617 - Mr. Newton, a man here to see you. 0:48:08.617,0:48:11.478 - Mr. Newton, Mr. John Newton. 0:48:11.478,0:48:12.470 - Yes. 0:48:12.469,0:48:15.263 - I'm Archibald Gother, Captain of the HMS Greyhound, 0:48:15.264,0:48:16.181 out of Liverpool. 0:48:16.181,0:48:18.009 - Ah, welcome Captain Gother, are you here to pick up 0:48:18.009,0:48:18.842 a shipment? 0:48:18.842,0:48:22.698 - Not exactly, you see I'm here to take you home. 0:48:22.697,0:48:24.692 - Me, what are you talking about? 0:48:24.692,0:48:27.273 - Your father commissioned me to find you 0:48:27.273,0:48:29.987 and bring you back to England whatever the cost. 0:48:29.987,0:48:31.613 I've been stopping at every trading post south of 0:48:31.612,0:48:35.779 the Canaries searching for you, and finally here you are! 0:48:38.369,0:48:39.369 - My father! 0:48:42.248,0:48:43.331 - Mr. Newton! 0:48:45.179,0:48:48.096 (foreboding music) 0:49:04.574,0:49:07.402 - There she is, the Greyhound. 0:49:07.402,0:49:09.699 After this, we got two more ports of call. 0:49:09.699,0:49:11.898 To pick up ivory and beeswax. 0:49:11.898,0:49:14.782 And then we should set sail for Liverpool, 0:49:14.782,0:49:16.282 and for you, home. 0:49:17.998,0:49:20.327 - Captain Gother, a month ago I would've told you 0:49:20.327,0:49:24.411 I had no hope or even dreams of seeing England again. 0:49:24.411,0:49:26.920 I was prepared to live out my days here. 0:49:26.920,0:49:29.648 Perhaps marry a native, even have my grave right here 0:49:29.648,0:49:33.648 in West Africa, if I believed in God I would say 0:49:34.523,0:49:36.596 his hand had brought you here. 0:49:36.597,0:49:39.680 - Believe it, for who else can it be? 0:49:40.682,0:49:44.182 (warm anticipatory music) 0:50:10.519,0:50:13.177 - [John] And so I began my journey home. 0:50:13.177,0:50:17.770 Not as a crewman but as a passenger on the Greyhound. 0:50:17.771,0:50:20.773 Freed of the duties I was used to, I had many hours 0:50:20.773,0:50:24.526 at sea to think, to think about my life, 0:50:24.525,0:50:26.692 to think about life itself. 0:50:26.693,0:50:29.360 (calming music) 0:50:57.882,0:50:59.925 It was during these long hours of leisure 0:50:59.925,0:51:03.431 that I discovered a book, The Imitation of Christ 0:51:03.431,0:51:06.681 by Thomas a Kempis, I began reading it, 0:51:07.559,0:51:11.148 not as a meditational work but as a work of fiction 0:51:11.148,0:51:14.240 and entertainment to pass the time. 0:51:14.240,0:51:18.775 But as I read the involuntary suggestion came to me. 0:51:18.775,0:51:22.117 What if these words were true, what if the faith 0:51:22.117,0:51:25.451 of this long dead writer was in fact a reality 0:51:25.451,0:51:28.985 that I simply did not understand. 0:51:28.985,0:51:33.152 I could not bear the inference as it related to myself. 0:51:34.213,0:51:36.844 Dimly remembered Scripture verses came unbidden 0:51:36.844,0:51:40.141 to my mind, especially fearful passages that speak 0:51:40.141,0:51:43.146 of the judgment of those who know the way of truth 0:51:43.146,0:51:45.188 but then depart from it. 0:51:45.188,0:51:47.853 What if I were one of them? 0:51:47.853,0:51:51.205 What if the faith I had abandoned was in fact 0:51:51.206,0:51:54.533 the driving reality of the universe? 0:51:54.532,0:51:57.493 What if God's hand had in fact been the moving force 0:51:57.494,0:52:00.780 that brought me to this point, brought Gother 0:52:00.780,0:52:03.784 to Sierra Leone to rescue me. 0:52:03.784,0:52:06.704 What if I had turned my back on the very God 0:52:06.704,0:52:08.537 who sought to save me? 0:52:11.291,0:52:15.130 I was so caught up in my own thoughts and meditation 0:52:15.130,0:52:17.753 that I had not even been aware of the storm that 0:52:17.753,0:52:18.928 had engulfed us. 0:52:18.927,0:52:21.844 (thunder rumbling) 0:52:25.766,0:52:27.961 - All hands on deck John! 0:52:27.960,0:52:31.043 (anticipatory music) 0:52:41.505,0:52:44.505 - Mister, hey, get that canvas down! 0:52:50.172,0:52:52.422 (shouting) 0:53:06.684,0:53:09.327 - [Sailor] Pilot down, pilot down! 0:53:09.327,0:53:12.945 - Get Newton, get Newton! - I know where he is! 0:53:12.945,0:53:17.112 (anticipatory music) (storm brooding) 0:53:57.355,0:53:58.521 - God save us! 0:54:15.335,0:54:18.001 (calming music) 0:54:36.670,0:54:37.503 Thank you. 0:54:38.643,0:54:42.318 I thought back then on that powerful recurring dream 0:54:42.318,0:54:44.402 that had haunted my life. 0:54:45.532,0:54:50.492 - I will preserve it for you, and whenever it is needful, 0:54:50.492,0:54:53.205 I will produce it on your behalf. 0:54:53.204,0:54:55.871 (calming music) 0:55:05.824,0:55:08.197 - [John] We had survived the most terrifying storm 0:55:08.197,0:55:09.697 of my life at sea. 0:55:10.695,0:55:13.810 But more than that I had a glimmer of new hope, 0:55:13.811,0:55:18.441 a spark of faith in my heart, in my darkest moment, 0:55:18.440,0:55:21.652 I discovered a chance of reconciliation, 0:55:21.652,0:55:25.819 with a God that I had long dismissed as mere fiction. 0:55:26.777,0:55:28.944 That was March 10th, 1748. 0:55:30.110,0:55:32.708 A day that I would mark for the rest of my life 0:55:32.708,0:55:35.041 as the day of my conversion. 0:55:39.503,0:55:42.170 (calming music) 0:55:45.844,0:55:50.760 There is little doubt that our very cargo had saved us. 0:55:50.760,0:55:52.954 The beeswax and the (mumbling) we carried 0:55:52.954,0:55:56.027 being both lighter than water. 0:55:56.027,0:55:58.418 The Greyhound was so swamped with water that we surely 0:55:58.418,0:56:01.074 would've sunk if it were not for the flotation 0:56:01.074,0:56:02.741 of the cargo itself. 0:56:04.032,0:56:08.529 But was God's hand not present even in this detail? 0:56:08.530,0:56:11.656 As we limped back toward England, tripled with only a few 0:56:11.655,0:56:15.822 sails, I spent most of my time reading the Scriptures. 0:56:16.827,0:56:20.111 Meditating and praying to the Lord for mercy 0:56:20.110,0:56:21.443 and instruction. 0:56:30.010,0:56:34.259 I began to see my life in a different perspective. 0:56:34.259,0:56:36.719 The burning anger that had driven me as a younger man 0:56:36.719,0:56:37.886 was now faded. 0:56:39.271,0:56:41.853 I began to see that my entire life was that as 0:56:41.853,0:56:44.794 the Parable of the Prodigal Son. 0:56:44.795,0:56:48.784 Not in a figurative way, as most people understand it, 0:56:48.784,0:56:51.916 but in the most literal reality. 0:56:51.916,0:56:53.583 - [Watcher] Land ho! 0:56:55.536,0:56:58.459 - [John] We sighted land on April 7th, the Irish island 0:56:58.460,0:57:01.960 of Tory, the next day we landed at Swilly. 0:57:03.960,0:57:08.182 Finally I was safely home, after misadventures 0:57:08.182,0:57:10.599 that seemed like a storybook. 0:57:13.302,0:57:15.719 - So did you see your father? 0:57:16.885,0:57:17.719 - No. 0:57:19.648,0:57:22.315 See God's ways are very strange. 0:57:23.184,0:57:25.844 You see the day I arrived in Liverpool 0:57:25.844,0:57:29.291 I discovered that my father had shipped out only the day 0:57:29.291,0:57:32.703 before for Canada, he'd been appointed 0:57:32.704,0:57:37.077 Governor of York's Fort in Hudson Bay Colony. 0:57:37.077,0:57:39.533 I never saw him again. 0:57:39.532,0:57:40.793 - How sad. 0:57:40.793,0:57:42.706 Did he know that you were safe? 0:57:42.706,0:57:45.373 - Oh yes we were able to write one another 0:57:45.373,0:57:48.791 so he knew the whole story, but he died there 0:57:48.791,0:57:52.958 in Canada and was buried there and I never saw him again. 0:57:53.880,0:57:58.137 However, God gave me a new father as it were, 0:57:58.137,0:58:00.692 Joseph Manastee who owned the ship that 0:58:00.693,0:58:03.182 I had returned on, took me under his wing 0:58:03.181,0:58:07.143 and treated me as if I were his own son. 0:58:07.143,0:58:08.633 He got me a commission as first mate 0:58:08.634,0:58:11.918 on a trade ship and I did very well. 0:58:11.918,0:58:15.367 Much of the rebellion in my spirit, the burning anger, 0:58:15.367,0:58:17.987 had been washed away in Africa and I no longer found 0:58:17.987,0:58:20.904 myself always attracted to trouble. 0:58:22.498,0:58:26.452 My new station in life secure, I could at long last 0:58:26.452,0:58:29.202 go back to Kent, and to my Polly. 0:58:30.509,0:58:31.925 My beloved Polly. 0:58:35.835,0:58:39.778 After years of remember her face as in a dream, 0:58:39.778,0:58:43.146 I was finally able to marry my dear Polly, 0:58:43.146,0:58:44.813 the love of my life. 0:58:46.268,0:58:49.933 - According to God's holy ordinance, and thereto, 0:58:49.934,0:58:51.601 I give you my truth. 0:58:52.983,0:58:55.442 - With this ring I give you my heart. 0:58:55.443,0:58:57.735 With my body I give you worship. 0:58:57.735,0:59:01.782 And with all of my worldly goods, I thee endow. 0:59:01.782,0:59:06.526 In the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. 0:59:06.525,0:59:07.358 Amen. 0:59:15.800,0:59:19.554 Before long my benefactor Joseph Manastee promoted me 0:59:19.554,0:59:23.269 to captain, captain of my own ship. 0:59:23.269,0:59:24.853 The Duke of Argyll. 0:59:28.146,0:59:31.686 The Duke of Argyll was a slaving ship. 0:59:31.686,0:59:35.501 So my job as captain was to take the ship 0:59:35.501,0:59:37.943 to the West coast of Africa, very close to 0:59:37.943,0:59:41.404 where I had been held captive myself, pick up slaves 0:59:41.405,0:59:44.661 there, transport them to the West Indies, there to 0:59:44.661,0:59:48.420 exchange them for molasses and rum, and return those 0:59:48.420,0:59:52.750 to England, that's why we called it the Triangular Trade. 0:59:52.750,0:59:56.333 - Wait, you were a captain of a slave ship? 0:59:58.291,1:00:01.677 After you were a slave yourself? 1:00:01.677,1:00:04.011 How could you do that? 1:00:04.012,1:00:06.762 - You're a very astute young man. 1:00:07.976,1:00:11.461 No I was infant in the faith, and I really did not 1:00:11.460,1:00:15.950 see the evils of the slave trade at the time. 1:00:15.951,1:00:20.197 None of us did, it was considered an honorable way 1:00:20.197,1:00:21.907 to make a living. 1:00:21.907,1:00:25.117 - But you were held captive, how could you do that 1:00:25.117,1:00:26.451 to someone else? 1:00:27.710,1:00:29.460 - It was all too easy. 1:00:31.168,1:00:33.585 You see attitudes are starting to change now, 1:00:33.585,1:00:37.545 but 20 years ago, no one questioned the slave trade, 1:00:37.545,1:00:40.672 well save the Quakers and a few Moravian missionaries 1:00:40.672,1:00:41.838 in St. Thomas. 1:00:43.010,1:00:46.011 Everyone in England that had any money at all, 1:00:46.010,1:00:50.686 had it invested in the slave trade it was very profitable. 1:00:50.686,1:00:54.853 And where profit is concerned we turn a blind eye, don't we? 1:00:57.070,1:00:59.489 All I could see at the time was that as a Christian 1:00:59.489,1:01:03.613 ship captain, my job was to safely transport the slaves 1:01:03.614,1:01:06.320 from one port to the other and treat them as well 1:01:06.320,1:01:10.919 as possible, the same as I might do with a load of cattle. 1:01:10.918,1:01:14.036 It wasn't an uncommon on slave ships for almost 1:01:14.036,1:01:18.338 a third of them to die on that middle passage. 1:01:18.338,1:01:23.174 They were kept chained below decks, fed little food. 1:01:23.175,1:01:27.340 I prided myself on the fact that only a few had ever died 1:01:27.340,1:01:28.350 on my ships. 1:01:28.349,1:01:31.432 (anticipatory music) 1:01:32.983,1:01:36.845 I devised a routine of regular exercise for the slaves, 1:01:36.844,1:01:39.673 so that each day they would see the sunlight and keep 1:01:39.673,1:01:43.494 themselves as fit and healthy as possible. 1:01:43.494,1:01:46.286 I insisted with Mr. Manastee that we have sufficient 1:01:46.286,1:01:48.742 provisions so that the slaves could maintain 1:01:48.742,1:01:52.288 proper nourishment, and not arrive starved. 1:01:52.288,1:01:55.710 I did the same with the crew, I was proud that my ship 1:01:55.710,1:01:57.874 had one of the best records for delivering slaves 1:01:57.873,1:01:59.742 in good health. 1:01:59.742,1:02:04.058 We only had a few deaths at see, I felt each one personally 1:02:04.059,1:02:06.890 and worked harder on each voyage to make sure 1:02:06.889,1:02:10.692 that both crew and cargo stayed healthy and fit. 1:02:10.692,1:02:13.735 It may not seem like much, but it was far more 1:02:13.735,1:02:17.481 than most captains did in those days. 1:02:17.481,1:02:20.777 I engaged the crew in regular times of worship. 1:02:20.777,1:02:22.838 Ye shall have a song, as in the night 1:02:22.838,1:02:25.657 when a holy solemnity is kept, 1:02:25.657,1:02:28.450 and gladness of heart, as when one go with a pipe 1:02:28.449,1:02:30.955 to come into the mountain of the Lord, 1:02:30.956,1:02:33.289 to the mighty one of Israel. 1:02:34.257,1:02:35.257 Let us pray. 1:02:36.168,1:02:39.668 (warm anticipatory music) 1:02:51.768,1:02:53.687 It was on this journey that I had the chance 1:02:53.688,1:02:56.228 to return to the Banana Islands, 1:02:56.228,1:02:59.559 to my own place of enslavement. 1:02:59.559,1:03:02.210 I was even able to find one of the lime trees 1:03:02.210,1:03:06.377 that I had planted with my own hands so many years before. 1:03:22.509,1:03:26.342 Then came my third voyage, in 1753, as captain 1:03:27.224,1:03:28.474 of The African. 1:03:29.847,1:03:32.930 We landed in Ghana to pick up a load of 600 slaves 1:03:32.929,1:03:35.012 for transport to Jamaica. 1:03:36.385,1:03:38.719 (sad music) 1:04:25.666,1:04:29.833 (chains clanging) (chanting) 1:04:43.746,1:04:46.826 It was on that voyage that I began to first wonder 1:04:46.826,1:04:48.659 about the slave trade. 1:05:06.710,1:05:09.043 (sad music) 1:05:18.123,1:05:20.540 That would be my last voyage. 1:05:26.431,1:05:28.213 The weather looks good. 1:05:28.213,1:05:30.757 I'm gonna sail the day after tomorrow. 1:05:30.757,1:05:33.672 - I shall miss you terribly, I so wish you did not 1:05:33.672,1:05:35.396 have to be gone so long. 1:05:35.396,1:05:36.885 - Yes I know. 1:05:36.885,1:05:39.922 But it is the nature of the trade. 1:05:39.922,1:05:41.610 (groaning) 1:05:41.610,1:05:42.443 - John? 1:05:44.226,1:05:45.143 John, John! 1:05:45.976,1:05:49.059 (ceramic shattering) 1:05:50.815,1:05:53.148 (sad music) 1:05:54.427,1:05:57.427 - I'm afraid he's suffered a stroke. 1:06:01.786,1:06:05.082 - [John] I could no longer command a ship. 1:06:05.083,1:06:06.666 - [Samuel] How sad. 1:06:08.797,1:06:11.718 - It seemed very hard at the time, but we were 1:06:11.719,1:06:14.858 later to understand that it was a blessing from God. 1:06:14.858,1:06:16.213 - A blessing? 1:06:16.213,1:06:19.681 - Yes a blessing, you see when God closes one way 1:06:19.681,1:06:22.141 it is often for a reason that we do not know 1:06:22.141,1:06:25.811 or understand, Captain Potter, the man who 1:06:25.811,1:06:28.940 took over the ship for me, and his entire crew 1:06:28.940,1:06:30.527 were killed on that voyage. 1:06:30.527,1:06:31.905 - God preserve us! 1:06:31.905,1:06:33.943 - Yes he did preserve us. 1:06:33.943,1:06:36.363 And it was a deep lesson because what we thought 1:06:36.362,1:06:39.828 was a curse at the time, actually was filled 1:06:39.829,1:06:41.162 with much grace. 1:06:42.532,1:06:46.051 We moved back to Polly's family home in Kent, 1:06:46.052,1:06:47.688 for my recuperation. 1:06:47.688,1:06:50.355 (calming music) 1:07:01.483,1:07:04.893 During this time living in Kent I had many hours 1:07:04.893,1:07:08.794 of leisure, which I often spent outdoors, I had hours 1:07:08.795,1:07:12.898 and hours for Bible study and for meditation. 1:07:12.898,1:07:16.001 I spent many hours discovering the layers of grace 1:07:16.001,1:07:19.085 present in our Lord's redeeming work. 1:07:29.588,1:07:33.210 Slowly I regained some of my strength. 1:07:33.210,1:07:36.967 But I knew I would never again captain a ship. 1:07:36.967,1:07:39.509 However, my knowledge of the business enabled me 1:07:39.510,1:07:44.064 to obtain a position as tide-surveyor of Liverpool. 1:07:44.063,1:07:46.940 A position of great responsibility. 1:07:46.940,1:07:51.440 - Ahoy, (mumbling) surveyor, state your cargo. 1:07:51.440,1:07:54.984 - 100 barrels of rum and a hundred barrels of molasses 1:07:54.985,1:07:57.664 from the island, 75 barrels... 1:07:57.664,1:07:59.875 - [John] I worked for the Custom's Office 1:07:59.875,1:08:02.405 and was responsible to inspect incoming ships 1:08:02.405,1:08:05.035 to make sure the proper import customs were paid 1:08:05.034,1:08:07.702 to the government, even with the remaining weakness 1:08:07.702,1:08:10.592 from my stroke, I could still discharge the work 1:08:10.592,1:08:14.278 with responsibility, and yet have the free time 1:08:14.277,1:08:17.360 to study the scriptures as I desired. 1:08:18.685,1:08:21.301 Now that we were settled in a house in Liverpool, 1:08:21.301,1:08:24.134 I made the most of my free time. 1:08:24.135,1:08:26.637 I determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ 1:08:26.636,1:08:31.226 and him crucified as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians. 1:08:31.226,1:08:33.452 And I resolved to do nothing that would not serve 1:08:33.452,1:08:34.952 that main purpose. 1:08:36.036,1:08:38.905 I began to learn Greek, enough to allow me to understand 1:08:38.905,1:08:42.073 The New Testament and The Septuagint, and then I began 1:08:42.073,1:08:45.743 studying Hebrew the following year. 1:08:45.743,1:08:48.276 I never attained a critical skill in any of these 1:08:48.275,1:08:51.557 languages, but I had no goal but to truly 1:08:51.557,1:08:54.087 and faithfully understand the scriptural words 1:08:54.087,1:08:57.764 and phrases so that I could judge for myself 1:08:57.764,1:09:00.717 the meaning of any particular passage. 1:09:00.716,1:09:02.552 Together with this I kept up a course 1:09:02.552,1:09:05.023 of reading the best writers of Christian theology 1:09:05.023,1:09:06.105 I could find. 1:09:08.020,1:09:11.889 Out of this gradually arose a new desire. 1:09:11.889,1:09:14.606 My mother's hope when I was a child was that I should 1:09:14.606,1:09:16.734 enter the Ministry. 1:09:16.734,1:09:20.702 Now for the first time I began to feel a strong calling 1:09:20.703,1:09:24.365 in that direction myself, it was not a calling of 1:09:24.365,1:09:27.953 which I felt worthy, but I felt in some ways 1:09:27.953,1:09:30.367 I was the perfect person to proclaim 1:09:30.367,1:09:33.248 the faithful saying from 1 Timothy. 1:09:33.247,1:09:35.913 That Jesus Christ came into the world to save the 1:09:35.913,1:09:37.331 chief of sinners. 1:09:38.421,1:09:41.383 My life had been full of such remarkable turns, 1:09:41.382,1:09:45.465 I seemed selected to show what the Lord could do. 1:09:47.536,1:09:50.730 My initial enthusiasm was damped by refusal 1:09:50.729,1:09:54.396 after refusal to consider me for ordination. 1:09:55.600,1:09:58.814 I did not give up easily, but in rapid order 1:09:58.814,1:10:01.319 I was turned down by the established church, 1:10:01.319,1:10:04.224 by the Dissenters, by the Methodists, 1:10:04.224,1:10:06.306 and by the Presbyterians. 1:10:09.202,1:10:11.908 Though not yet ordained I began to preach at churches 1:10:11.908,1:10:15.408 around Liverpool, and to be well received. 1:10:16.416,1:10:20.759 The Lord bestows many blessings upon his people, but unless 1:10:20.759,1:10:24.130 he likewise gives 'em a thankful heart, 1:10:24.130,1:10:25.449 they lose much of the comfort 1:10:25.449,1:10:28.693 they might have in them, and this is not only a blessing 1:10:28.693,1:10:31.525 in itself, but in earnest of more. 1:10:32.810,1:10:35.688 King David, when he was peacefully settled in 1:10:35.689,1:10:40.024 his kingdom, purposed to express his gratitude 1:10:40.024,1:10:42.774 by building a place for the arch. 1:10:43.704,1:10:46.628 I began to receive more and more invitations to preach 1:10:46.628,1:10:49.796 or to speak about my life experiences. 1:10:52.658,1:10:54.576 Polly, Polly read this. 1:10:57.123,1:10:58.871 - You're to be the pastor of 1:10:58.871,1:11:03.336 the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Olney? 1:11:03.336,1:11:07.217 Oh John, it is an answer to our prayers! 1:11:07.216,1:11:10.466 (church bells ringing) 1:11:11.680,1:11:14.348 - I had to wait over seven long years, 1:11:14.349,1:11:17.476 but finally my dream to server as a parish pastor 1:11:17.475,1:11:18.975 would become true. 1:11:21.731,1:11:24.528 And that Samuel is how I came to be the pastor 1:11:24.529,1:11:27.124 of this parish, of course that was a number of years 1:11:27.123,1:11:29.036 ago before you were born. 1:11:29.037,1:11:30.742 - It is quite a story. 1:11:30.742,1:11:33.204 - Yes and let it be a lesson to you. 1:11:33.204,1:11:35.405 For the story that God has in mind for you may 1:11:35.405,1:11:39.015 be very different from what you have planned. 1:11:39.015,1:11:42.681 The great adventure is finding God's will for your life. 1:11:42.681,1:11:45.005 - Oh I did not know you had company. 1:11:45.006,1:11:47.971 - Yes this is Samuel, we met in the village. 1:11:47.970,1:11:50.718 - Ah, aren't you Ms. Watson's oldest? 1:11:50.719,1:11:52.641 - Aye she's me stepmom. 1:11:52.641,1:11:56.394 - Oh why don't you join us on Tuesday, 1:11:56.395,1:11:59.975 John and I have begun a Bible School for the area children. 1:11:59.975,1:12:02.644 - Yes, you'll improve your reading skills and at the same 1:12:02.644,1:12:04.858 time learn more about the Bible. 1:12:04.858,1:12:07.195 - If you're leading it, then I'll come. 1:12:07.194,1:12:08.858 - Oh very good. (laughing) 1:12:08.859,1:12:11.289 - John please remember that William Cowper is coming 1:12:11.288,1:12:13.034 later to work on the poem. 1:12:13.034,1:12:14.244 - Yes I do. - Hmm-mm. 1:12:14.244,1:12:17.926 - Mr. Cowper and I are working on some spiritual poems 1:12:17.926,1:12:21.703 which can be sung to popular tunes like Black-Eyed Susan 1:12:21.703,1:12:23.021 or Mad Robin. 1:12:23.021,1:12:24.015 - I know them! 1:12:24.015,1:12:25.310 - Of course you do. (laughing) 1:12:25.310,1:12:27.758 - You must be off now, Mr. Newton and Mr. Cowper 1:12:27.757,1:12:31.045 have some very important work to do. 1:12:31.046,1:12:32.081 - Mr. Newton? 1:12:32.081,1:12:32.913 - [John] Yes? 1:12:32.913,1:12:34.475 - Thanks for telling me your story. 1:12:34.475,1:12:36.262 - [John] Well thank you for listening Samuel, 1:12:36.262,1:12:37.846 and you'll be here on Tuesday. 1:12:37.846,1:12:39.599 - Aye, I'll be here on Tuesday. 1:12:39.600,1:12:43.767 - Very good, very good. (laughing) 1:12:52.582,1:12:55.665 (warm calming music) 1:13:43.850,1:13:47.100 (calming violin music) 1:13:55.358,1:13:56.440 - Here it is. 1:13:58.270,1:13:59.233 - John Newton? 1:13:59.233,1:14:00.900 - Yes here, read it. 1:14:03.225,1:14:05.016 - John Newton, Clerk. 1:14:05.016,1:14:09.106 Once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa 1:14:09.106,1:14:12.994 was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 1:14:12.994,1:14:16.072 preserved, restored and pardoned, and appointed to preach 1:14:16.072,1:14:19.954 the faith he had long labored to destroy. 1:14:19.954,1:14:22.381 - He changed my life. 1:14:22.381,1:14:25.762 A few years later he was called to St. Mary Roman Church 1:14:25.762,1:14:26.595 in London. 1:14:27.432,1:14:30.298 When I was old enough I joined him there. 1:14:30.298,1:14:32.625 And through him I met William Wilberforce. 1:14:32.625,1:14:36.639 And joined the movement to abolish the slave trade. 1:14:36.639,1:14:41.253 It took years, the bill passed Parliament in 1807, 1:14:41.253,1:14:44.362 the same year that Mr. Newton died. 1:14:44.362,1:14:48.362 And the same year that you were born Alexandria. 1:14:50.110,1:14:54.323 But he lived to see the abolition of the slave trade. 1:14:54.323,1:14:56.445 - Oh so he did it? 1:14:56.445,1:15:00.911 - Well not he alone, but many working together. 1:15:00.911,1:15:02.911 He did change the world. 1:15:05.546,1:15:07.546 And he changed my life. 1:15:08.792,1:15:13.343 The life of a little boy who was hurt and angry 1:15:13.342,1:15:14.425 at the world. 1:15:15.967,1:15:19.417 He taught me something of gentleness. 1:15:19.417,1:15:21.000 And of God's grace. 1:15:23.280,1:15:27.448 And I hope you have a chance to learn of that grace as well. 1:15:31.493,1:15:34.576 (warm calming music) 1:18:13.529,1:18:16.529 (warm violin music) 1:19:01.985,1:19:05.068 (warm calming music) 1:20:02.913,1:20:05.913 (warm violin music)