God Almighty has set before me two great objects: the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.
William WilberforceRead
It is the distinguishing glory of Christianity not to rest satisfied with superficial appearances, but to rectify the motives, and purify the heart.
Interpretation
Christianity emphasizes the importance of inner purity and motivation over external appearances.
This quote by William Wilberforce highlights a core tenet of Christianity, which is the focus on the internal state of a person rather than merely their outward behavior. It suggests that true virtue comes from a sincere heart and genuine motives, encouraging individuals to seek deeper moral integrity rather than conforming to superficial standards.
In practice
During a sermon discussing moral integrity, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of inner character.
God Almighty has set before me two great objects: the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.
The first years in Parliament I did nothing - nothing to any purpose. My own distinction was my darling object.
In an age in which infidelity abounds, do we observe parents carefully instructing their children in the principles of faith which they profess? Or do they furnish their children with arguments for the defense of that faith? ...it is not surprising to see them abandon a position which they are unable to defend.
No one expects to attain to the height of learning, or arts, or power, or wealth, or military glory, without vigorous resolution, strenuous diligence, and steady perseverance. Yet we expect to be Christians without labour, study, or inquiry.
O what a blessing is Sunday, interposed between the waves of worldly business like the divine path of the Israelites through the sea! There is nothing in which I would advise you to be more strictly conscientious than in keeping the Sabbath day holy. I can truly declare that to me the Sabbath has been invaluable.
I am disturbed when I see the majority of so-called Christians having such little understanding of the real nature of the faith they profess. Faith is a subject of such importance that we should not ignore it because of the distractions or the hectic pace of our lives.
Damn the great executives, the men of measured merriment, damn the men with careful smiles oh, damn their measured merriment.
If I survive, I will spend my whole life at the oven door seeing that no one is denied bread and, so as to give a lesson of charity, especially those who did not bring flour.
You make a deal. You figure out how much sin you can live with.
While religious tolerance is surely better than religious war, tolerance is not without its liabilities. Our fear of provoking religious hatred has rendered us incapable of criticizing ideas that are now patently absurd and increasingly maladaptive.
As riches increase and accumulate in few hands, as luxury prevails in society, virtue will be in a greater degree considered as only a graceful appendage of wealth, and the tendency of things will be to depart from the republican standard. This is the real disposition of human nature; it is what neither the honorable member nor myself can correct. It is a common misfortunate that awaits our State constitution, as well as all others.
There are some people, who place enormous value on their home and feel that it defines them, that a stain on the carpet is a personal defilement. There are others, and I think I am one of them, who are entirely indifferent to where they live.
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