The life of William Wilberforce / by his sons, Robert Isaac Wilberforce and Samuel Wilberforce ; abridged from the London edition by Caspar Morris.
- Robert Isaac Wilberforce
- Date:
- 1839
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The life of William Wilberforce / by his sons, Robert Isaac Wilberforce and Samuel Wilberforce ; abridged from the London edition by Caspar Morris. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
11/546
![the Isle of Wight, still from so small a seed has started up so noble a growth as has caused, and will cause to the end of time joy in the presence of the angels of God more abundant than can now be known or conceived. What countless numbers in every quarter of the world owe their salvation to the agency of Legh Richmond's writings—and but for Wilberforce's Practical View, Legh Rich- mond had passed through life unconverted himself and unblessed to others. But zealous and faithful as he was in all he undertook, there was always an unwillingness to put himself forward, and discretion in judging what might be promoted and what injured by his agency. When, for instance, the friends of Jenner sought to procure for him parliamentary compensation for the pecuniary loss to which he was subjected in the prosecution of those experiments which resulted in conferring upon mankind the highest temporal boon which ever was be- stowed on our race, Wilberforce was applied to, to take upon himself the lead in the House of Commons. What were the motives by which he was induced to decline we are not informed, but that they were wholly foreign from any want of interest in the case itself, is proved by the following letter, which has recently been printed in the life of Jenner. Palace Yard, Feb. 24, 1802. My dear Sir, I have often thought of addressing you on the subject we con- versed about formerly; that, I mean, of your valuable discovery be- coming the topic of parliamentary discussion, with a view to your receiving some compensation for your eminent services to the com- munity. I hoped long ere now to see the matter brought forward, and always intended, whenever it should be so, to give you my best assistance on a principle of duty. I really thought, as I told you, there were reasons why I was by no means an eligible introducer of the subject; and I could not just now undertake it, on account of my being engaged to render a similar service (though contrary to my own judgment) to another gentleman. But are you aware that Friday next is the last day for presenting private petitions, and that a petition is the proper mode of bringing your discovery before Par- liament ] If I can be of any use in advising you, I shall be unaf- fectedly glad, and in rendering you any assistance I am able. At all events I am persuaded you will do justice to the motive which prompts me to address you thus frankly, and believe me, with esteem and regard, Dear Sir, Your faithful servant, W. Wilberforce. There was nothing more remarkable in his whole history, than the triumph it exhibits of the Divine Grace over natural imperfec- tion. Most truly could he say, by the grace of God I am what I am. Naturally versatile, nay by more than one of his warmest admirers his mind is spoken of as volatile, nothing short of the powerful control of the all-absorbing feeling of love in return for the love bestowed on him, could have enabled him to persevere](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21163959_0011.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
