Globe and Mail writer Neil Reynolds departs from his usual business beat today with a column about the hymn "Amazing Grace" and the abolitionist campaign shown in the film of the same name.  He points out that the word "wretch" in the magnificent hymn's first line grates on modern ears more receptive to the language of self-esteem and self-respect.

It was a tenderhearted bunch of people, a few years back, that first censored Amazing Grace, excising from the great hymn its reference to English slave trader John Newton's sense — hey, it's Theology 101 — of separation from God. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound," he had written, "that sav'd a wretch like me."

I have seen hymnbooks in which the first line has been bowderlised to read, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved and set me free".  Yecch!

As is usually the case, the original wording not only sounds right, it also carries deeper and truer theological meaning.

In our time, the word "wretch" has proved too demeaning. The campaign against it goes on to this day. Yet in its original sense, it meant exile — symbolically, in religious parlance, excommunication. It was the perfect word.

Mr Reynolds runs down the list of British evangelical Christians who laboured for decades to abolish the slave trade.  Inspired by John Newton and led by William Wilberforce, the small band of religious reformers included Governor of Sierra Leone Zachary Macaulay, Governor of India Lord Teignmouth, popular female author Hannah More, aristocratic philanthropist The Countess of Huntington, and Sunday school pioneer Robert Raiken.

Finally, and here we arrive at a business angle, there was the wealthy London banker Henry Thornton,

who gave away so much of his wealth that, toward the end of his life, he risked bankruptcy. Wilberforce gave away much of his wealth, too — in 1801, for instance, giving £3,000 more than he earned. Thornton, much richer, gave more. Proportionately, the very generous Bill Gates and the very charitable Warren Buffett can be regarded as tightwads. Thornton kept detailed accounts of his philanthropy. In 1790-1793, he donated £20,000 and kept £7,000 for all other purposes. He routinely gave away sixth-sevenths of his income.

These dedicated and self-sacrificing men and women are towering examples of the social good that Christians have brought, and continue to work for.  Their dedication to give their all for the good of others reflects Christian discipleship at its most profound.  Their example is humbling and truly inspiring.

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