A new documentary is building on the popularity of last year's Amazing Grace feature film, the story of British abolitionist William Wilberforce, which took in nearly $30 million worldwide.
Sheila Weber conducted some of the interviews for the documentary, The Better Hour: The Legacy of William Wilberforce, which provides more content, commentary and historical perspective. She is vice president of communications at The Better Hour and spoke with CitizenLink about Wilberforce's legacy:
1. Tell me about Wilberforce.
William Wilberforce is a lost figure of American history. Frederick Douglass, the great abolitionist, said years ago, "Let no man forget the name of William Wilberforce." And, in fact, Abraham Lincoln said that every schoolboy knew the name of William Wilberforce.
Wilberforce was a parliamentarian in England. He led the fight for the abolition of the slave trade, which ended in 1807. This is actually our 200th anniversary year of the end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Not only did he leave behind this tremendous legacy, but he also left behind a tremendous number of philanthropies that changed the face of England.
2. What do you want people to take away from the documentary?
We would like to restore William Wilberforce to his rightful place in history. It has been a largely lost story. This documentary is going to be available for use in social studies and history classes.
We want to inspire and mobilize people, today, to follow in his footsteps because it's a remarkable story of faith. Wilberforce had a dramatic conversion. It was because he was compelled by his newfound Christian faith that he undertook such an arduous task to end the evil of human trafficking. He spent many hours every morning in private prayer and Bible reading and devotions with his family. This is, in large part, what gave him the strength to persevere.
We hope people will host screenings in their communities — at a local school or library or community center, and to reach out beyond the faith community, because that is what Wilberforce did. This is a way for people to come together to collaborate, to create some of the service works and projects in your own neighborhood that reflect the concerns of William Wilberforce.
3. Why is it so important to teach the next generation not only about the scourge of slavery, but specifically about Wilberforce?
We need to teach the next generation about the scourge of slavery because man is so frail and so likely to repeat the offense. Wilberforce is an example of principled leadership and character and perseverance. We would do well to learn more about his life and model our actions after him.
4. What might Wilberforce think about America today?
He might view America in much the same way as the late 1700s and early 1800s of England, which was a time that (Charles) Dickens had written, "It was the worst of times and the best of times." There was cheap gin and rampant drunkenness, public hangings, lewd behavior. Wilberforce gathered around him a group of friends in Clapham, England, whose aim was to love God, love each other and serve the needs of others. Wilberforce wrote in his diary that "God Almighty has set before me two great objects: the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners."
5. What would you like to say to Wilberforce?
"Thank you. Thank you for your perseverance, but also, thank you for your example of what it means to be a dedicated follower of Christ."
Wilberforce puts a new face on what it means to be a Christian — that we can be true to the tenets of the faith and yet show forth compassion to the world.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Better Hour: The Legacy of William Wilberforce is airing nationally this month on public television. Check your local listings. If you missed it, you can buy the DVD.
Creating The Better Hour: Lessons from William Wilberforce is a companion book to the documentary that is great for small groups. It features discussion questions and a foreword by Rick Warren.
The 2007 feature film Amazing Grace is available through Focus on the Family.
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
