William Wilberforce

If you are like me, you've never heard of William Wilberforce. Then, I heard about the newly released film "Amazing Grace".

More than likely, you have heard of the hymn, "Amazing Grace", words written by John Newton. John Newton was a person involved in the cross Alantic shipment of African slaves during the late 1700's and early 1800's. On a particular voyage back home, his ship was nearly lost in a terrible storm. After a night of praying to God for his life, John Newton believed there was truly a God. He devoted his life to God as a preacher and penned the lyrics to hundreds of hymns, one of which is the familiar "Amazing Grace".

Wilberforce met Newton while he was still a youth. As an adult, Wilberforce, who was a member of Parliament, saw the light of the Lord and found himself in a quandary as to whether he should get out of politics and focus on a life with God or not. He seeked the advise of John Newton. The slave issue was one that impassioned the speeches of both sides of the issue. Those opposed to the bill to abolish slave trade were fearful of job stability and the current onset of the French revolution. The proponents of such a bill were also afraid for the lives of innocent African men, women and children who were suffering at the hands of slavemasters. Yet, some of the people who felt slavery to be wrong, were too afraid to speak out against slavery and so kept quiet. Wilberforce decided that it was the will of God that he speak out against the slave traders and to use his position in Parliament to change the laws.

Kim and I viewed this film recently and was immediately drawn to the story. The life of Wilberforce was one of helping the man, who could not speak for himself, to a better existence. His passion for what he believed should inspire all of us to stand up for what we know is right. The filmakers did a supreme job of recreating the time period and sending us back to a 17th century England in a time when disease, human cruelty and a harder way of life existed. The African people were considered goods and not humans. Fortunately, people like Wilberforce saw the inhuman treatment of Africa's people and made it his life's mission to abolish it.

Go see it. You will be glad you did.