Persistent Grace

Encouraged by John Newton's admonitions, William Wilberforce continued his fight to end the slave trade for many years. Even after suffering defeat after defeat, Wilberforce returned to Newton's words:

Though you have not, as yet, fully succeeded in your persevering endeavors to abolish the slave trade, the business is still in process.

But the grace of persistence shored up his ailing body and tortured spirit, giving him the strength he needed to see another day. On February 23, 1807 - twenty years after he had originally taken up the cause - the House of Commons rose to its feet in tribute to William Wilberforce. Cheering the weeping champion of abolition, they proceeded to vote by an overwhelming majority to abolish the slave trade throughout the British Empire.


A few months later, John Newton, the man who had encouraged Wilberforce to enter and continue the battle, died. But not before seeing the fulfillment of his prophetic admonition of William Wilberforce: Though he had enemies, they could not prevail against him. And not without seeing his young friend live out the lyrics he had penned many years before.

Persistent Grace
Lasting redemption often demands persistent dedication.

For an inspiring story on how the lives of John Newton, author of the hymn Amazing Grace, and William Wilberforce, the politician who led the fight against slave trade in England, see the book Finding God in the Story of Amazing Grace by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware.