I am in the process of reading "Hero for Humanity: A Biography of William Wilberforce" by Belmonte, looking for more insight into the man who lead the fight for the abolition of the slave trade in Britain, for which he is best known. His focus changed after his "great change", namely that nominal Christianity was not enough and he turned to evangelical Christianity. From the book, "Scarcely, more than a year after his spiritual transformation, on Sunday, October 28, 1787, he found his life's work. On a blank page of his diary he wrote, 'God Almighty has set before me
two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners [morals].'" (p. 102)
That second great object, the reformation of manners, involved various avenues of life including education, charity, health, among others. From Wilberforce's book "A Practical View of Christianity", he addressed "stewardship, respect for the rights of others (a key concept for a pluralistic society), forwarding the views of others, and the promotion of the happiness of others." (p. 175, Hero for Humanity)
Wilberforce was not one to shy away from his true thoughts. Certainly his faith played a vital role in every aspect of his life. As it pertains to education, Britain and Christianity, Belmonte says "Wilberforce was not advocating a theocracy where Christian values were imposed on his fellow Britons. He was asking that Christian teaching be a valued part of curriculums at all levels of education in Britain, affording her citizens the same opportunity he had to choose, based on an informed decision, whether or not to embrace a faith that had so changed his own life, and one he believed lay at the heart of so many wonderful philanthropies in which he had been privileged to take party. His purpose was to commend his faith, not command it."
(p. 239)
From Wilberforce's last public speech: ". . .the same Being who commands us to love mercy, says also, 'Do justice.'" (p. 318)
