Justice vs. Corruption "Taking PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to uphold what is pure, right, and true"     JUSTICE– A One-Minute Testimonial Announcement Faith Committee, Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Contributed by B. E. Tumbleson Librarian, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Cincinnati, OH May 4, 2002 WILLIAM WILBERFORCE William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was an English politician whose life was characterized by justice. Because he despised the immoral slave trade, Wilberforce fought the political battle as an abolitionist in Parliament. Although his adolescent years were marked by wealth and idleness, he changed course on Easter 1786 through a spiritual rebirth. Thereafter, Wilberforce was committed to a life of public service and the pursuit of justice. He braved the vested interests of the slave trade and persevered from 1789 against filibusters, bigotry, personal vilification, fear, and illness until Parliament abolished the slave trade in the British Empire in 1807. His second cause was establishing piety and virtue, through the Society for the Suppression of Vice. He donated 25% of his income to the poor and defended the powerless: chimney sweeps, single mothers, orphans, and juvenile delinquents. He helped found the Society for Bettering the Cause of the Poor, the Church Missionary Society, the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the Antislavery Society. Wilberforce dedicated his lifelong efforts to upholding what was pure, right, and true despite fierce opposition. His life embodied the mandate in Micah 6:8. “…and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” [Adapted from 131 Christians Everyone Should Know, Mark Galli, Broadman & Holman, Nashville 2000.]     This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.