Indiana National Guard Specialist Madeline Douglas left a crowd within the U.S. Capitol Rotunda speechless as she performed a solemn, reverent rendition of the classic Christian hymn, “Amazing Grace.” Douglas’s performance was impromptu and was not part of any planned event. As her voice rang out, it drew lawmakers, staffers, and visitors into a moment of unity and reflection.
The song, “Amazing Grace” has, for many years, been a song that has captured the moment of conversion for many souls to the Christian faith. The hymn was written and composed by John Newton, an 18th-century English sailor who later converted to Christianity and became a clergyman in the Anglican Church. Newton was once involved in the Atlantic slave trade, but renounced that life following his conversion.
Newton’s hymn chronicles his transformation during this time in his life, as showcased in lines that mention being “lost” and then “found” by the love of Jesus Christ. The song has been credited with helping individuals cope with loss and grief, as well as being played at battlefield vigils for many, many years. Many believers feel Douglas’s choice to sing the song in a place rich with historical significance carried weight and symbolism.
The song was also greatly inspired by Newton’s own struggles with moral failings, along with several times that he believed God spared him from death, according to the Library of Congress. His mother died from tuberculosis In a video clip of the performance posted on Facebook, a commenter pointed out that music could play a vital role in helping Americans of different political beliefs and backgrounds to find common ground, writing, “Is music the one language that can still bring us together?”
Other commenters noted that they could feel the Holy Spirit through the performance and felt it helped them experience a deeper connection to God. “I felt the Holy Spirit listening to this! Stunning! Beautiful! Breath Taking! Alleluia! Praise God our Father,” another user said in the comment section.
“All praise and glory to the father God in heaven who’s one and only son is Jesus Christ our lord and savior This is beautiful and I’m filled with joy for the lord God is with us in the United States of America and all her people,” another user commented, noting their hope in God blessing the country, despite the current level of division that has rocked the nation.
Others pointed out that Newton’s popular hymn helps those who hear it address important questions concerning sin and the solution to those inner struggles that plague humanity. Some stated that with the current fighting among Democrats and Republicans over the foundational principles of the country, the song was a hearkening back to the Founding Fathers and their original vision for the future of the republic.
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Douglas was identified in several social media posts as being a specialist with the Indiana National Guard who was deployed to the D.C. area with her unit when she was asked to sing in the Capitol Rotunda. In the National Guard, a Specialist is an individual with an enlisted rank of E-4, which means she has officially completed her initial training and serves in a professional capacity for the Guard. Douglas was given full permission to sing before her performance.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video