AMAZING GRACE

          I read a book while on vacation.   Amazing Grace is the story of William Wilberforce’s heroic campaign to end slavery.  What a great story!  My appetite was whetted upon hearing a radio dialogue between Harding University’s president, Dr. Bruce McLarty and Eric Metaxas (the author of the book).  McLarty had chosen this volume as the 2016-2017 “Harding Reads” selection - - a relatively new program that encourages all faculty and students to read the same book during the school year.   Subsequently the university hosted Metaxas for a speaking engagement.  Even though I graduated from Harding long ago (in 1976), I relish this opportunity to take part from afar and view such assignments as “continuing education”.      

          Physically, William Wilberforce was a small man, but he possessed a keen mind and a huge heart for the things of God.  His im-passioned vision instigated a radical shift in thinking that brought about a revolution in behavior in England and throughout much of Europe.  What he began in his early twenties took a lifetime to achieve.  In 1780, at age twenty-one, Wilberforce sat for the first time in the House of Commons as a member Parliament.  Confronted by powerful opponents, many in high places, he was buoyed by an inner-circle of friends who joined him in fighting tirelessly for this noble cause.  John Newton, a former slave-trader who came to be a Christian and the author of the beloved hymn, Amazing Grace, inspired Wilberforce to hang tough and not relent.  Isaac Milner, a  gigantic friend (in both body and soul), instilled within him a strong obligation to ACT upon that which he held to be true and right.

          This book is a vivid reminder of how a small cluster of men and women standing together for truth can change the world for the good.  In the opening chapter of the book of Acts, we read of group of one-hundred and twenty believers gathered in an upper room (Acts 1:15).  By the end of chapter 28, the gospel has penetrated and permeated the entire Roman empire (cf. Col.1:6 & 23).  Those ancient words spoken so long ago still remain true - - WITH GOD all things are possible (Mt.19:26).             

                                                                                              Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ