William Wilberforce: Greatest WorksThe 29th Pure Gold Classic, William Wilberforce presents the very best of this great man's life and work. It includes his Practical View of Christianity, historic papers, and a wonderful biography of the man who became the conscience of the world and helped bring an end to the practice of slavery in the civilized world. William Wilberforce, the son of a wealthy merchant, was born in Hull in 1759. William's father died when he was young, and for a time William was brought up by an uncle and aunt. William came under the influence of his aunt, who was a strong supporter of John Wesley and the Methodist movement. Disturbed by these developments, Mrs. Wilberforce brought her son back to the family home. In 1784 Wilberforce converted to Evangelical Christianity. He joined the Clapham Set, a group of evangelical members of the Anglican Church, centered around John Venn, rector of Clapham Church in London. As a result of this conversion, Wilberforce became interested in social reform and was eventually approached by Lady Middleton and was asked to use his power as an MP to bring an end to the slave trade. As a member of the evangelical movement, Wilberforce was sympathetic to Mrs. Middleton's request. In his letter of reply, Wilberforce wrote: "I feel the great importance of the subject and I think myself unequal to the task allotted to me." Despite these doubts, Wilberforce agreed to Mrs. Middleton's request, but soon afterwards, he became very ill and it was not until 12th May, 1789, that he made his first speech against the slave trade. |
Contents
| 1 | |
Gallery | 27 |
THE CLAPHAM GROUP THEY SET OUT TO CHANGE THEIR WORLD | 33 |
EXCERPTS FROM A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christian in the Higher and Middle Classes Contrasted with Real ... | 41 |
INTRODUCTION AND INADEQUATE CONCEPTIONS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY | 43 |
CORRUPTION OF HUMAN NATURE | 53 |
CHIEF DEFECTS OF THE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM THE USE OF PASSIONS IN RELIGION | 75 |
ON THE EXCELLENCE OF CHRISTIANITY | 115 |
NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS OF WILBERFORCES FUNERAL | 131 |
WILLIAM COWPERS POEMS | 141 |
SPIRIT OF THE AGE A Contemporary Evaluates Wilberforce | 145 |
TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM WILBERFORCE | 151 |
TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM WILBERFORCE ON THE PLAQUE IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY WHERE HE IS BURIED | 169 |
WILBERFORCES TEXT | 175 |
| 185 | |
| 187 | |
TRIBUTES TO William Wilberforce | 123 |
EPISTLE TO WILLIAM WILBERFORCE ESQ ON THE REJECTION OF THE BILL FOR ABOLISHING THE SLAVE TRADE | 125 |
Common terms and phrases
Abolishing the Slave abolition of slavery apostle argument believe Bible blessed Savior British cause character Christ Clapham Group Clapham Sect consideration Contrasted with Real corruption death depravity diligent divine divine grace doctrines eateth emancipation endeavor England evangelical evil excellence eyes faith fear feel friends glory Gospel grace Granville Sharp hath heart heavenly Henry Thornton Holy Spirit hope House of Commons human nature influence Isaac Milner Jesus John Newton judgment live look Lord mankind Member of Parliament mercy mind moral nation nominal Christians object observe opponents ourselves Parliament passions person political Practical View prayer precepts pretensions Prevailing Religious System principles Professed Christians proof Real Christianity reason reform regard religion religious affections repentance revelation Romans sinner slave trade Society soul suffered things Thomas Clarkson true truth unto virtue weak Westminster Abbey William Cowper William Pitt William Wilberforce words wrote