A Note from Hixon Frank
Hey Church!
The first few lines of the book, A Man Who Changed His Times, reads like this
“One evening in 1787 a young English man poured over papers by candlelight in his home beside the House of Parliament. William Wilberforce had been asked to propose the abolition of the slave trade, although most Englishmen thought the trade necessary, if nasty, and that economic ruin would follow if it stopped. Only very few thought, at least publicly, the slave trade wrong, evil.” John Pollock
For years I have been enamored by the journey of the British abolitionist, and his 46-year journey from youthful exuberance to the final collapse of the British slave trade in 1833.
Born into a wealthy family, he entered Parliament at 21. The course of his life was set on fire when in 1785 he experienced a profound Christian conversion, which reshaped his priorities. Encouraged by abolitionists like Thomas Clarkson and influenced by his faith, Wilberforce devoted his life to ending slavery.
For over two decades, he faced fierce opposition while introducing anti-slavery bills, yet his relentless advocacy helped build public awareness. In 1807, his efforts culminated in the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. Wilberforce then turned to abolishing slavery itself, which was achieved only three days before his death in 1833 through the Slavery Abolition Act. Known for his compassion and perseverance, Wilberforce’s legacy extends beyond politics, inspiring human rights movements worldwide.
In a 1996 lecture by noted biographer John Pollock, he lists several qualities of Wilberforce’s that are worth noting.
First: His whole life was animated by his deeply held, personal faith in Jesus Christ!
It appears that many people that initially surrounded him, though professing Christians, were more concerned with social status or impressing the ones who could elevate them politically. He was unlike many of his day who professed Christ by simply ascribing to lifeless dogma and conventional religious thinking, Wilberforce was wholly animated by a robust personal belief in a living God, Who, as he put it when addressing the House of Commons, “is concerned with individual human lives, justice and the transformation of societies.”
He seemed to take inspiration from Philippians 3:13-14, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Secondly, he had a deep sense of calling. He knew what he was to be about…he had PURPOSE. To pursue something for 46 years is remarkable enough but something as selfless as the abolition of slavery. After all, Wilberforce neither profited from nor was engaged in slave trading and could have easily had the notion that slavery, though evil, was not his concern. Like Nehemiah’s remarkable story about rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1-7), Wilberforce faced significant obstacles but believed he was called to accomplish a certain task and went about doing it as “doubters, detractors and despots” looked on.
Thirdly, Wilberforce surrounded himself with like-minded Christian people who would later be called “the Saints.” Sometimes the designation was spoken with contempt and other times with admiration. Often quoting Ecclesiastes 4:12 “And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken”. His group of “Saints” supported, emboldened, and protected one another for almost 40 years.
Lastly, He was willing to pay a steep cost for his public stands. Early in his journey towards abolishing the British slave trade, Wilberforce, faced with the enormity of the task before him, was warned he might lose his status, positions, and likely his fortune, should he continue to pursue “the egregious course of action.” The Bible tells us in Luke 14:28-30 to “count the cost.”
These qualities, worth imitating, always strike me in the form of questions…
- Is my life as a believer “wholly animated for the cause of Christ?” Not the cause of religion, not the cause of position, and certainly not the cause of promotion….but the cause of Christ?
- Do I even know what it is I am to be about? Specifically.
- Have i surrounded myself with people who will support what God has asked of me?
- Am I willing to pay whatever cost is necessary to fulfill the call of God in my life?
Some of us know what God has asked of us, but the price is too high.
Some of us quit before the tasks are completed.
Some of us know but are crippled by what others think, expect, or will admire in us.
Some of us know we have surrounded ourselves with people who hinder us in our calling.
We don’t need to be a British Parliamentarian to be obedient… that was God’s call on William Wilberforce … not yours.
Yours may be
Missions … So, what’s holding your back?
Restoring a relationship … what are you waiting for?!
Teaching a class… Have courage and do it!
Planting a church … It won’t plant itself!
What has God called you to do?
You have been prayed for today!
Hixon