The second reading of the Abolition of Slavery Bill on 23rd February 1807 was carried by 283 to 16! The spontaneous applause acknowledging William Wilberforce’s 20 year effort was quite unprecedented and the bill received royal ascent on 25th March 1807. Although many fought for the abolition of slavery there is no doubt that the Christian faith, prayers and brilliant parliamentary speeches of Wilberforce awoke the conscience of Britain and the world.

The bill for the total abolition of slavery did not arrive until 26th July 1833 when the Emancipation Bill passed its second reading as Wilberforce lay on his death bed. When he was told the news he said, “Thank God that I have witnessed a day in which England is willing to give 20 millions sterling for the abolition of slavery.” He died only 3 days later aged 73 at 3am on Monday 29th July 1833.

Wilberforce became the force that he was, entirely because in 1784 he went on a continental tour with a friend named Isaac Milner who he didn’t know was a keen Christian. The following summer he again toured with Milner and together they studied the New Testament. That winter Wilberforce came under deep conviction of sin, he wrote, “True Lord, I am wretched and miserable and blind. What infinite love that Christ should die to save such a sinner.”

Wilberforce now wondered whether he should leave politics and enter the church, but Rev. John Newton, formerly the captain of a slave ship, advised him to serve God in politics. Newton had also experienced the work of God’s grace in his heart which he describes in his famous hymn we now know as, ‘Amazing Grace’. He became God’s man to keep Wilberforce well informed about the horrors of the slave trade.