Page 43 - Heros of the Faith - Textbook w videos short

Minister, would remain a good friend and mostly a loyal supporter of William in later life. (Except during the war
with France, when they fell out on politics)

As his time at University was drawing to a close, William decided to run for parliament. Spending £8,000 he was
able to win the seat in his native Hull, entering parliament at the age of 21. He decided to be an independent,
although he would lean towards the reform element of the Tory party.

After four years in Parliament, William travelled to Europe with his sister and Mother. It was during their
European vacation that the religious urge came back to William. A key factor was reading the evangelical
book, Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. This encouraged him to lead a religious life, such as getting up
early to read the Bible; he lost interest in card games and drinking. He became a committed Christian for the
remainder of his life, and his religion profoundly influenced his outlook on life. On returning to England, he
spoke with John Newton, one of the leading Anglican churchman of his day. This further encouraged him to lead
a religious life, but also, he was encouraged to stay in politics and work for social reform.

William Wilberforce and the Anti-Slavery Movement

It was shortly after this ‘conversion’
period in 1786 that Wilberforce was
invited to take an active role in the
abolitionist movement. The Leading
figures in the anti-slavery campaign
(such as Thomas Clarkson) wished
Wilberforce to be their figurehead for
passing legislation through
parliament. Although Wilberforce was
in complete sympathy with their aims,
initially he was skeptical of his own
abilities. However, after deliberation,
he decided to take the campaign on.

”If to be feelingly alive to the
sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to
be a fanatic, I am one of the most
incurable fanatics ever permitted to
be at large.”

 An example of a poster which was
effective in highlighting the conditions of
the slaves in ships.

Following successful public campaigns
by the Committee for the Abolition of
the Slave Trade in raising awareness
of the conditions of slaves, William
Wilberforce was encouraged to try
and pass a bill in the year of 1789.

In 1789 Wilberforce spoke in the

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