William Wilberforce was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the Atlantic slave trade. He was a native of Kingston on Hull, Yorkshire beginning his political career in 1780 and becoming an independent MP for York-shire in 1784-1812.
He was converted in 1785 and became an evangelical Anglican which meant huge changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform.In 1787 he came into contact with a group of activists against the slave trade. These included amongst others Granville Sharp, Hannah More & Charles Middleton.
Wilberforce championed missionary work in India and saw the foundation of the Church Missionary Society (now Church Mission Society) . And the establishment of a free colony in Sierra Leone.
In his later years he supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery. That led to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. Wilberforce died just 3 days after hearing that the passage of the act through Parliament had been assured. He is buried in Westminster Abbey close to his friend William Pitt the younger.
Wilberforce also sought out John Newton the converted slave trader. And throughout their friendship and correspondence Newton encouraged Wilberforce to stay the course, to continue the fight against the evils of the slave trade. He considered that God had raised up Wilberforce to serve God and the church. He viewed Wilberforce as a rare combination of “Christian and statesman.”!
Newton referenced him as a Daniel who in dire and critical circumstances trusted God and was faithful. He went further to reassure him that God’s grace would be sufficient, but that Wilberforce could do nothing without Him. In these words “May the Lord bless you, my dear Sir. May He be your Sun and Shield and fill you with all joy and peace.”
Those encouragements allowed Wilberforce to stay the course, to win the prize – abolition of slavery and to receive the crown of Life!
May we be like Newton and encourage one another every opportunity we have. And take heart from William Wilberforce’s trust and Godly commitment to a cause that changed the face of British history. Great and small victories are achieved and we are blessed by knowing that with God nothing is impossible!
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