The Character of William Wilberforce

In reading "Hero for Humanity" there were many things about the beliefs and character of W. Wilberforce that impressed me. Here are a few of them:

1. His conversion to Christ was sincere and impacted every aspect of his life. He genuniely sought to bring every thought captive to Christ. He meditated on Scripture daily and memorized and recited long passages on a regular basis. He saw his entire life in the context of his faith in Christ.

2. He had a resolute confidence in the sovereignty and providence of God and applied this to his life by finding humility in his successes and encouragement in his setbacks and failures. He was "easily" encouraged. Late in his life, when his son lost nearly the whole family fortune (about $2,000,000 in our money) in a bad business dealing Wilberforce willingly sold his home to pay the bills and rejoiced in the opportunity to live more simply and to be able to live with his children and grandchildren.

3. He was deeply committed to an industrious and profitable life and to using his God-given gifts for the benefit of mankind and to the best of his abilities. He was diligent, ambitious for God and others, and persevering. He hated to waste time and yet knew the importance of quietness, reflection and communion with God. Early in his career he set out to accomplish two great objectives, (1) the abolition of the slave trade and slavery, (2) the improvement of public morality and manners. His steadfast determination endured his whole life and his accomplishments were spectacular.

4. He worked tirelessly for the sake of the oppressed when the majority of his generation (at first) thought it wrong or impossible. He was never satisfied that he had made significant progress in helping others, but it is difficult to know how he could have done more. Selflessness is frequently unaware of its own goodness and impact.

5. He was known as the best conversationalist and most personable figure of his generation. He focused his life on being interested in others and being interesting to them. He was genorous and sincere in his hospitality and entertained in his home regularly.

6. He focused and used his uncommon gift of public speaking as a powerful weapon of righteousness. His colleagues in parliament marveled at his felicity with words and speech, and that was in a day of many great orators.

7. He married only because he found a woman whose beliefs and character matched his own. He had no intention of marrying without such qualities. He genuinely loved his wife and never wavered in that devotion (although there is not nearly enough said about her in this biography).

8. He was known as a loving, playful father who cared deeply for his children. His children grew to speak of him in glowing terms. This was and is a contrast to a multitude of public figures.

9. He was an avid reader and dedicated himself to reading the best literature, philosophy and theology available - both ancient and recent. He even taught his family to read "demanding" books and constantly discussed books with his children.

10. He loved nature and studied the glory of God in nature in daily walks.

11. He loved great music, art and beauty and brought into into his home. He considered development in appreciation for fine arts was an essential part of forming good character and sensitivity.

12. He was exceedingly difficult to dislike and attack. Those who attacked him, and many did, found themselves in a difficult public situation since nearly everyone thought, even many of those who disagreed with him, that he was one of the kindest, fairest minded men of their time.

13. He consistently used his wealth to help promising young men rise to their potential, often paying their debts and school bills.

14. It was striking how many of his contemporaries commented on how much larger his mind and soul were than his body. People were struck by how such a small man could have had such a large impact.

His biography is well worth reading.