Rescue the perishing. “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously (with all morality), and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8, 9.
Last night I had the opportunity to watch a film I will never forget, “Amazing Grace.” It is the story of William Wilberforce, the British slavery abolitionist. He was one man who stood in his parliament alone against 300 other Members of Parliament (MPs)-all who were against his fight for freeing millions of African slaves. I loved to hear him speak passionately on the worth and equality of all people. He would not be quiet or let down his righteous assault no matter how much others tried to “boo” him down. I also thought it was brilliant how he “insulted” his opponents in a way that even his worst enemies howled with laughter at his wit.
To me the most powerful moment, though, was when one of Wilberforce’s fellow abolitionists read a West Indies’ account of a mother and young child being beaten. In their moment of suffering the mother spoke with much hope to her child, “Do not fear, King Wilberforce is on his way to free us.” “King Wilberforce” was not an actual “king” (he was an MP), but he acted like a true king and fought ferociously on behalf of those who were weak and powerless in his day. His reforms did not end with the abolishment of slavery. He fought for education and societal reforms throughout his entire life. I came back from this experience so inspired to become a teacher who makes a difference- a "queen" in my day.
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