The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Katie P. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Reading - Book Report on God's Politician: William Wilberforce's Struggle by Garth Lean
God's politician, by Garth Lean, is a biography of William Wilberforce. Lean opens the first chapter with an in-depth description of the cruelty of the slave trade. He describes the conditions in which thousands upon thousands of slaves were transported from Africa to Great Britain. He describes how ships carried as many as 500 slaves at a time. Between 1783 and 1793, Liverpool alone carted 303,737 slaves to the West Indies.
Wilberforce was born August 24, 1759. He was a frail child with bad eye sight. At twenty one, he was elected to parliament. Lean explains that William was never a strong boy, but he had a beautiful voice that made people listen to him when he spoke. In 1785, Wilberforce converted to Christianity or "A Great Change" as he called it. He gave up gambling, dancing parties and even the theatre; because he believed they were corrupt.
Wilberforce fought for twelve years to abolish the slave trade in Great Britain, presenting his proposal annually. But due to the controversy, he was constantly outvoted. It wasn't until 1807 that the trade was finally abolished. That was not Wilberforce's ultimate goal, but he understood that it would take time. Finally in 1833, just three days before his death, Wilberforce heard the guarantee that the abolition would pass. He died on July 29, 1833. One month later, the House of Lords passed the Slavery Abolition Act.
William Wilberforce saw the pain and inhumanity of the slave trade, and felt a call from God to fight back. Even though slavery was widely practiced, Wilberforce took a stand for what was right in God's eyes, rather than the flawed sight of men. He devoted his life to abolishing slavery and God was faithful to him. He was able to see his life long battle victorious.
Garth Lean sums up the book in the epilogue speaking of how people in today's world believe they are helpless to bring about change. They have the idea that they are only one small person in this huge world and completely inconsequential. God proves over and over again his ability to use the smallest and most insignificant people to bring about substantial change. William Wilberforce was weak and frail his entire life, and yet God used him in incredible ways because he was open and ready for the Lord to work through him. Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, (Or small and insignificant) but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity. 1 Timothy 4:12.
