Amazing Grace - A Magnificent Story

I recently saw the movie Amazing Grace on DVD. I had also seen it at the theater. I was amazed and inspired by this true story. William Wilberforce began as a rich young heir with political ambitions and later became a converted evangelical Christian and abolitionist. He was also a long-time friend of William Pitt, who would become the youngest prime minister in British history.

Wilberforce was also a friend of John Newton, whose life was equally amazing. Newton was a slave trader for 20 years until he was stung by guilt for his sins, quit the slave trade, and became a minister. After his conversion, Newton wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, which is widely considered to be the most well-known and popular hymn in the world.

Wilberforce tried for years to get pariliament to legislatively end the slave trade. But it was only after many years of defeat and failure that he succeeded in 1806, and the British slave trade was no more.

I was especially impressed by several aspects of this story:

1. Wilberforce and Pitt were both in their twenties when they took parliament by storm. Pitt as the youngest prime minister then or since, and Wilberforce as the fiery advocate of abolition.


2. Slave trading in Britain may have continued for decades more were it not for the tireless fight of one idealist. It was 50 years later before slavery ended in the United States.


3. Wilberforce failed for years before finally succeeding.


4. John Newton became a minister and wrote Amazing Grace after repenting of his 20 years of slave trade activity. His life and counsel influenced Wilberforce and ultimately abolition.