"William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was an English politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire (1784–1812)... In 1785, he became an Evangelical Christian, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform.
Wilberforce was convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education. He championed causes and campaigns such as the Society for the Suppression of Vice, British missionary work in India, the creation of a free colony in Sierra Leone, the foundation of the Church Mission Society, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His underlying conservatism led him to support politically and socially controversial legislation, and resulted in criticism that he was ignoring injustices at home while campaigning for the enslaved abroad...
In later years, Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery, and continued his involvement after 1826, when he resigned from Parliament because of his failing health. That campaign led to the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire; Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, close to his friend William Pitt." From: Wikipedia online 10-21-15, including image: public domain.
Comments:
What so impresses me about his story is that he started out as a fairly secular man. But, God touched him in a way that would change his whole habit of living-he became an Evangelical Christian (in the terms of those times.). Then he, William, responded to the gospel by living it out himself and vigorously encouraged others to do the same. He received much criticism as the trade he opposed was very lucrative. Yet, he and others, did bring about a change in their society to end the Slave Trade.
Could Christians now bring about such a change regarding Abortion (a lucrative business) in our land-to end it? God will honor a group of people that seek to obey Him, and judge those that do not. Let us seek the welfare of those around us-help single parents/orphaned children/the poor and homeless/the unborn and born with food and supplies and emotional support and the gospel, Let us, by God's strength and grace, be a source of light in the darkness.
Wilberforce was convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education. He championed causes and campaigns such as the Society for the Suppression of Vice, British missionary work in India, the creation of a free colony in Sierra Leone, the foundation of the Church Mission Society, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His underlying conservatism led him to support politically and socially controversial legislation, and resulted in criticism that he was ignoring injustices at home while campaigning for the enslaved abroad...
In later years, Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery, and continued his involvement after 1826, when he resigned from Parliament because of his failing health. That campaign led to the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire; Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, close to his friend William Pitt." From: Wikipedia online 10-21-15, including image: public domain.
Comments:
What so impresses me about his story is that he started out as a fairly secular man. But, God touched him in a way that would change his whole habit of living-he became an Evangelical Christian (in the terms of those times.). Then he, William, responded to the gospel by living it out himself and vigorously encouraged others to do the same. He received much criticism as the trade he opposed was very lucrative. Yet, he and others, did bring about a change in their society to end the Slave Trade.
Could Christians now bring about such a change regarding Abortion (a lucrative business) in our land-to end it? God will honor a group of people that seek to obey Him, and judge those that do not. Let us seek the welfare of those around us-help single parents/orphaned children/the poor and homeless/the unborn and born with food and supplies and emotional support and the gospel, Let us, by God's strength and grace, be a source of light in the darkness.
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