Heart of a Man

(In Development)

The sky is ominous and dreary in 1784 as the English statesmen meet to make a decision on the Consolidated Slave Law. If passed this legislation will prevent the harsh treatment of slaves and will work towards abolishing slavery. A graying, elderly man slowly makes his way towards the middle of a large, ornate room. All eyes are on him; questioning what wise words he could possibly utter to change a number of negatively made-up minds. Cane in hand, voice trembling; Reverend John Newton begins to tell his audience of his own enslavement; both physical and spiritual.

John’s listeners are taken on a journey through his life, beginning with his childhood. His firm foundation is crumbled at the mere age of seven when his mother tragically passes and his father, Captain Newton Sr., breaks his seafaring promise and sends John to boarding school. As the years pass, spiritually sound and intellectually stable John looks ahead to his future with great joy, until his father forces him to a once longed for life at sea. His trials and tribulations grow as the lure of living without a conscience begins to overtake him. At the deaths of his two best friends, John begins to question the God that he once loved. An internal Armageddon is occurring and unbeknownst to John many more tragic events lie ahead. In the midst of his dark life, a ‘light’ by the name of Polly Catlett catches his eye. A childhood friend, Polly is painfully falling for John and waiting for him to end his hazardous life of sailing the ocean blue. Hardened and acclimatized to a successful life at sea, John is recruited (unwillingly) to the Royal Navy and spends his time flocking from ship to ship, eventually branding and capturing slaves. His downward spiral seems to be at a halt. Astonished at the money and ease of slave trading, John is happy to accept a business deal given to him by his friend Clow, who makes him a partner on his plantation. In a well thought out scheme from P.I, Clow’s wife, John is forced to become a slave. Near death he is given away, nursed back to health, and continues with the slave trading business. His enlightenment occurs on a stormy night as he wrestles with the sea for his ship. The Heavens open and an omnipotent voice calls out to John. As John cries out and throws his hand to the sky, he is reborn. His childlike faith returns to him and he slowly begins his ascent to a better life.

John’s fellow sailors and, more importantly, Polly notice his change and she agrees to marry him. Continuing with the Slave business becomes increasingly difficult for John. He begins to detest the grim conditions that the slaves are placed in. When John is named Captain of his own ship, he takes it upon himself to improve the living quarters of the slaves and becomes a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

The elderly John Newton succeeds in persuading Parliament to pass the Slave Law on that ominous and dreary morning in 1784. As the song he authored, “Amazing Grace” plays through the streets, a tear comes to John’s eye as he walks; cane in one hand, Polly in the other.