• Abolishing Slavery: Wilberforce And Moses

  Contributed by Ken Pell on Mar 21, 2011 (message contributor)

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  Tags:  Endurance

  Denomination: Nazarene

ABOLISHING SLAVERY: WILBERFORCE AND MOSES

I found myself reading William Wilberforce’s speeches to the British Parliament the other day, particularly his speeches to abolish the slave trade. I was struck by the tenacity, patience, and confidence that he showed. He was convinced that this evil would eventually be halted and refused to give up. He was convinced that it had an expiration date.

Wilberforce, over a period of years and amidst much opposition, fought to have slavery abolished by presenting a number of bills to the British Parliament.

He began his quest in 1791. Wilberforce continued his push for full abolition until the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833 declared slavery illegal and ensured slaves would be freed, or paid and later completely freed. The final abolition did not occur until a month after his death.

40 years. That reminds me of another slave abolitionist's struggle ... Moses.