I just finished reading Once Blind: The Life of John Newton .  Author Kay Marshall Strom details the life of John Newton in a story like readable fashion.

Newton was a living testament to the power of God's transforming grace.  In his early days, He captained slave ships bringing slaves from Africa.  After experiencing God's amazing grace, he became a minister and worked in abolishing the slave trade along side William Wilberforce. 

Newton wrote the great hymn "Amazing Grace" that has been sung in churches across the land.  If you were raised in the church like I, you will have at least a portion, if not all, of the great hymn memorized.

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ'd!

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis'd good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be for ever mine.

In 1962, slavery was finally made illegal throughout the world, but yet slavery still exists in our day through sex trafficking, bonded labor and child labor.  According to Strom's research and documented in the epilogue, it is estimated that there are 12 million slaves today.  The U.S. Government estimates that there are 15,000 to 18,000 trafficked into America each year.

In the epilogue of Strom's well written book, she informs how we can be twenty-first century abolitionists.  I recommend you read this book and get involved in being a twenty-first century abolitionist.  We can make a difference in our day just as Newton did in his day.