Today is the death anniversary of a Christian who ranks in my top 10 category of most committed Christians who have ever lived - William Wilberforce, 19th Century England.
A member of British Parliament, he courageously spent 18 years in working to abolish the English slave trade. Just 4 days before his death, a bill to abolish all slavery in British territories finally passed. A year later in 1833, 800,000 slaves were set free.
United Methodists have a connection with this incredible man of faith not just because of Wilberforce's work toward social justice but also because John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, also greatly admired him. Wesley's last letter before he died was sent to Wilberforce encouraging him to not give up in his uphill battle to defeat the terrible evil of slavery.
I am so proud to live near Wilberforce University which reminds me again and again of what it means to pray, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven."
Prayer - Let your continual mercy, O Lord, enkindle in your Church the never-failing gift of love, that, following the example of your servant William Wilberforce, we may have grace to defend the children of the poor, and maintain the cause of those who have no helper; for the sake of him who gave his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
2 comments:
I didn't know much about Wm Wilberforce until I watched the movie Amazing Grace. He is certaily in my top ten.
Thanks for the post. Some others in my top 10 include Desmond Tutu (fighting against apartheid), John Woolman, (an American Quaker who also worked to end slavery), & Dietrich Bonhoeffer (resisting Hitler which eventually cost him his life.)
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