Ending the British Slave Trade

This month marks the 200th anniversary of the vote in the House of Commons to end the British slave trade. World Magazine editor Marvin Olasky pays tribute to William Wilberforce, a Christian member of parliament who was at the center of efforts to oppose the slave trade. It was a cause that Wilberforce engaged for decades before this landmark vote was finally achieved.

Wilberforce emphasized teaching about Christianity but not imposing it, and wrote that Christians should "boldly assert the cause of Christ in an age when so many who bear the name of Christian are ashamed of Him. Let them be active, useful, and generous toward others. Let them show moderation and self-denial themselves. Let them be ashamed of idleness. When blessed with wealth, let them withdraw from the competition of vanity and be modest, retiring from ostentation, and not be the slaves of fashion."