And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.  - Galatians 6:9-10

In this verse I am reminded of the work of William Wilberforce.  He was a member of the English Parliament in the early 1800’s and began a long battle against slavery in the British Empire. In his early years Wilberforce was a bit of a gambler and lived what he described as a wasted life of excess.  In his mid-twenties he came to a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  His new faith formed both his public and personal life from then on out.  It is interesting, that in addition to his long battle spanning decades against slavery in the British Empire, he was also committed to many works of charity, including being a charter member of the Society Against the Cruelty to Animals, and also established, along with other evangelicals in England, a tremendous mission effort that reached throughout the world with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Much of this mission work was through the Church Mission Authority, primarily an Anglican outreach which he established with other evangelicals.  The Society for Missions to Africa and the East (as it was first called) was founded on April 12th, 1799, at a meeting of the Eclectic Society, supported by members of the Clapham Sect, a group of activist evangelical Christians, whose number included Henry Thornton and William Wilberforce.  Wilberforce was asked to be the first president of the Society, but he declined to take on this role, and became a vice president.  Over its 200-year history, this mission outreach has sent 1000’s of missionaries throughout the world.  Its work was primarily an Anglican outreach.  Wilberforce’s work in the fight against slavery and other efforts are a good example of setting long term goals and not losing heart in God’s work.   It’s interesting that we orthodox Anglicans here in the U.S. are now reaping benefits as we partner with Anglican leadership from Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Southern Cone.   One of William Wilberforce’s mentors in the faith was John Newton, an Anglican Priest who before his conversion was a slave ship captain.  He was the author of several hymns including Amazing Grace.  I found a hymn written by Newton for a coming New Year called “Prayer for a Blessing.”  I close asking God to bless us as a congregation in this coming year as we take the opportunity to do good to all, and each other, as Apostle Paul urges us to do.

Prayer for a Blessing by John Newton

Now, gracious Lord, thine arm reveal,

And wake thy glory known;

Now let us all thy presence feel,

And soften hearts of stone!

Help us to venture near thy throne,

And plead a Savior’s name;

For all that we can call our own,

Is vanity and shame.

From all the guilt of former sin

May mercy set us free;

And let the year we now begin,

Begin and end with thee.

Send down thy Spirit from above

That saints may love thee more;

And sinners now may learn to love

Who never loved before.

And when before thee we appear

In our eternal home;

May growing numbers worship here,

And praise thee in our room.

Suggested resources:

See the DVD of last years movie about Wilberforce: Amazing Grace

Listen to the message by Nicky Gumble about Wilberforce at FatherDalton.com – Click Here