The situation may have remained unchanged if not for the arrival of a merchant ship in February 1747. The ship's captain had been ordered by the owner, a friend of Newton's father, to inquire for the young man. Through a series of circumstances, contact was made and Newton was persuaded to give up his profitable business and return to England. It was during this trip that Newton experienced spiritual change of life. While caught in a fierce storm, the ship was heavily damaged and he was brought face to face
