Amazing Grace and the Life of William Wilberforce

By Ray Young

For a long while now, I’ve intended to read a biography on a Mr. William Wilberforce, a great man who helped end slavery.  But that’s about as much as I knew of him.

If you grew up in America, there’s a good chance you’ve never even heard of him, even if you are a Christian.  And that’s a travesty.  Any discourse or study of slavery and its abolition is derelict without beginning with him and the group of abolitionist Christians who met and worshipped south of London in the late 18^th Century.  Consider the following: 

-         William Wilberforce spent most of his adult life fighting for the abolition of the slave trade, 46 years in all.

-         For 20 years beginning in 1787 (the same year the U.S. Constitution was being debated in America), he resolutely introduced his abolition of the slave trade bill in Parliament.  And every time, until 1807, it was defeated – most times overwhelmingly. 

-         He was virtually alone in his effort to abolish the trade, supported nominally by the some members of Parliament and vigorously by evangelical Anglicans in Clapham.

-         Wilberforce’s perseverance in overcoming public ridicule, personal threats and professional exclusion changed how millions of people in the British Empire lived and died. 

-         His efforts led to the practice of slavery being outlawed in 1833 and influenced the abolitionist movement in our own country, after having already cut off the trade to the United States.

-         He changed Western Civilization both socially and economically with his efforts.

Now to the movie: This is a must see for all, but especially for believers.  Why?  Because this is an important story that must be told and hopefully will prompt people to read more about what one Christian man can do if he’s obedient.  Second, we as Christians must continue to make a statement with our movie dollars.  Hollywood needs to know that we appreciate good wholesome entertainment that has a Higher Purpose.   

That said, the movie is very entertaining and in many places, quite moving, such as when Wilberforce meets with John Newton – author of many hymns, including Amazing Grace – who agrees to give him written testimony surrounding the conditions on slave trading ships.  (Newton was a slaver for many years before coming to Jesus Christ and becoming a minister in the Anglican Church.)  During the discussion, he tells Wilberforce, “My mind is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I’m a great sinner and Christ is a Great Savior!”  That’s a line I don’t think I’ve ever heard on the big screen. (He actually said this to William Jay, not Wilberforce.)

Don’t misunderstand and think that this movie is heavy on Christian doctrine.  It’s not, but the motivation behind men like Wilberforce and Newton is quite clear and the movie does a decent job of developing its main characters.  The focus is on Wilberforce, for obvious reasons, but we also do get into the lives of his close friends and relatives, like Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger and his wife Barbara.  William and Barbara’s courtship scenes are both amusing and believable.  The acting was quite good throughout.

The movie tracks Wilberforce’s life beginning before his conversion in 1785, his struggle with leaving politics for the ministry and eventually realizing that he could do both: serve God and stay in the House of Commons.  It continues through the lean years and culminates with the ultimate victory in 1807.

I do wish the producers had mentioned at the end of the movie that the total abolition of slavery passed in 1833 just days before Wilberforce was called Home.   This story is definitely richer than what you’ll see in the movie, but all in all, the historical accuracy was good.  After all, it’s hard to pack 20 years of blood, sweat, tears and joy into 118 minutes on the silver screen.

Feb. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment