I endeavored to renounce society, that I might avoid temptation. But it was a poor religion; so far as it prevailed, only tended to make me gloomy, stupid, unsociable, and useless.

During the first leg of this voyage while in west Africa (1748–1749) Newton acknowledged the inadequacy of his spiritual life. Still he did not renounce the slave trade until later in his life. After experiencing a religious conversion he became a minister hymn-writer and later a prominent supporter of the abolition of slavery.

Starting his career at sea at a young age he became involved with the slave trade for a few years and was himself enslaved for a period. John Henry Newton (24 July 1725 – 21 December 1807) was a British sailor and Anglican clergyman. After experiencing a religious conversion he became a minister hymn-writer and later a prominent supporter of the abolition of slavery.