A Faithful Steward

[William Wilberforce] did more than any other man, by his eloquence and courage, his industry and pertinacity, to bring about the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. No Englishman has ever done more to evoke the conscience of the British people and to elevate and ennoble British life.

—a plaque from Wilberforce’s birthplace

On the evening of Feb. 23, 1807, parliamentary debate commenced in England’s House of Commons on a bill to abolish the slave trade. Throughout the past 20 years, similar bills had been introduced, only to be defeated. As the debate began, one member of Parliament after another rose to praise the man who had been indefatigable in his efforts to abolish the slave trade: William Wilberforce. As soon as one member finished speaking, others would jump to their feet, wishing to add their voices to the overwhelming tide of support for this measure. The last to speak was Solicitor-General Sir Samuel Romilly.

Romilly concluded his speech by contrasting the French emperor Napoleon with Wilberforce, painting a picture of the reception each would receive when he returned home. Napoleon would arrive home in pomp and power, at the height of earthly ambition and tormented by the oppressions of war. Wilberforce would return to “the bosom of his happy and delighted family, . . . lay his head upon his pillow and remember the slave trade was no more.”

At this, the House of Commons rose to its feet and gave Wilberforce a tremendous ovation. He sat with his head bowed, tears running down his face. The vote to abolish the slave trade carried 283-16.

Historian G.M. Trevelyan described this triumph as “one of the turning events in the history of the world.” Two of America’s greatest presidents also paid tribute to Wilberforce. In 1858 Abraham Lincoln wrote, “I have not allowed myself to forget . . . the abolition of the slave trade by Great Britain.. . . School-boys know that Wilberforce . . . helped that cause forward.” In 1814 Thomas Jefferson told a young correspondent, “No good measure was ever proposed, which, if duly pursued, failed to prevail in the end. We have proof of this in the history of the endeavors in the English Parliament to suppress [the slave] trade.”

Unfortunately, William Wilberforce is, for most today, a forgotten man. Recently, however, his life and legacy have been frequent topics of discussion among representatives in our national legislature. Writers such as Charles Colson and scholars like Os Guinness have eloquently insisted that Wilberforce’s legacy as a reformer is one that has particular resonance for us today, particularly in light of the 30th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion on demand. His effort provides us a powerful example of a Christian committed to justice and the betterment of civil society.

Never give up

Wilberforce’s life powerfully reminds us of the importance of perseverance for any great reform. Throughout the 1790s he endured many trials that nearly broke his spirit. He was vilified in the press, physically assaulted, received death threats and once was challenged to a duel. For a while, he had to travel with an armed bodyguard.

Yet, he continued to reach out to any colleague, regardless of party, and to people of differing perspectives. Charles Fox was a colleague with whom Wilberforce had little in common, yet they worked to end the slave trade. The Utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham espoused an opposite worldview, yet he and Wilberforce worked to promote prison reform. Bentham’s respect for Wilberforce’s efforts to help the poor was such that he dedicated an early draft of his Essay on the Poor Laws to Wilberforce.

In 1796, Wilberforce finally had the votes to pass his abolition bill. But on the night of the final key vote, his opponents distributed free opera tickets for a highly anticipated performance to several of Wilberforce’s supporters — many of whom decided the opera was more important than the opportunity to end the slave trade. He lost by four votes.

Wilberforce also faced physical illness and appears to have suffered a nervous breakdown. He couldn’t sleep. Images of slaves plagued his mind. He considered retiring from politics. The price, it seemed, was too great.

Wilberforce remained undeterred. With encouragement, wise advice and support from friends such as John Newton, the former slave trader and author of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” he persevered and did good where he could.

The range of his reforming endeavors was impressive. Besides fighting the slave trade, he was a member of some 70 benevolent societies. He was also active in prison and educational reforms, promoted public-health initiatives and advocated for shorter working hours and improved conditions in factories.

Wilberforce founded the British and Foreign Bible Society and the Church Missionary Society. He also wrote A Practical View of Christianity, a manifesto of the evangelical movement in Britain and a best seller throughout the world.

Wilberforce fought vehemently for justice and integrity, at times even opposing his friend, Prime Minister William Pitt. It grieved Wilberforce to have to stand against Pitt, but Wilberforce believed that “the author of all moral obligation has enjoined us to renounce certain actions, without an inquiry as to reasons or consequences.”

Wilberforce’s work has particular relevance for contemporary debates regarding abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, multiculturalism and politics. As biographer Mary Seeley said: “One to whom the whole human race may be said to owe so much should not be forgotten.” Or as a memorial in the city of York more simply states, “Remember William Wilberforce.”