The first eight and a half years of the diary (1756- May 1764) are written from various places in England; the last eight years (27 May 1764 - 31 December 1772) are written from Olney.
Written on the rectos and versos of 230 leaves; being a spiritual diary kept by Newton that covers a sixteen year period which includes the years before he entered the ministry (1756-1764) when he was exploring a vocation and the early years of his ministry at Olney from 27 May 1764 through December 31, 1772, the last entry for this diary; the diary covers the days Newton was composing the hymn "Amazing Grace" (entries for Friday, December 25 and Saturday, December 26, 1772).