July 30 Devotion

[Pastor Joelle]

Willliam Wilberforce, Renewer of Society
30 July 1833

William Wilberforce was born into an affluent family in England in
1759. He considered becoming a priest but decided he could serve
Christ as a member of parliament. He served for 45 years, advocating
for free education, prison reform, missions to India, publice health
and animal welfare. He founded the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals.
But William Wilberforce spent the bulk of his time and energy to
bringing about an end to the slave trade and slavery. Every year for
eighteen years he introduced legislature into Parliament to outlaw
slavery and every year it was defeated. Finally July 26, four days
before his death, slavery was outlawed in all the British territories.
A year later, on 31 July 1834, 800,000 slaves, chiefly in the British
West Indies, were set free.

Eighteen years his efforts were defeated. And yet every year he would
bring it up again. He would not go away. He would not be shut up.
He knew what was right, even in the face of failure and opposition.
He’s a great example for perseverance. You don’t give up in the face
of overwhelming opposition.

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, enkindle in your Church the never-
failing gift of love, that, following the example of your servant
William Wilberforce, we may have grace to defend the the poor, and
maintain the cause of those who have no helper; for the sake of him
who gave his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever