The former slave trader and writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace” died on this day in 1807. According to The One Year Book of Christian History, Newton’s “final year was analogous to the setting of the sun. He had gradually lost his hearing and sight and he could no longer recognize some of his closest friends. He declined to the point where he could not walk unaided. Still, in his final month, John Newton the Wretch was able to say:

“My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things:
that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.”