On This Day: Wilberforce approaches John Newton, 2 December 1785

Ben Virgo

William Wilberforce wrote to John Newton: 

I wish to have some serious conversation with you. . . . I have had ten thousand doubts within myself, whether or not I should discover myself to you; but every argument against it has its foundation in pride. I am sure you will hold yourself bound to let no one living know of this application, or of my visit, till I release you from the obligation. . . . 
PS Remember that I must be secret, and that the gallery of the House is now so universally attended, that the face of a member of parliament is pretty well known. 

Two days later, 4 December 1785, Wilberforce delivered the letter by hand to John Newton at St Mary Woolnoth in the City of London. 

Two days later, Wilberforce arrived in Charles Square, where Newton lived.

After walking about the Square once or twice before I could persuade myself, I called upon old Newton. Was much affected in conversing with him. Something very pleasing and unaffected in him. He told me he always had entertained hopes and confidence that God would some time bring me to him. That he had heard from J. Thornton we had declined Sunday visits abroad. On the whole he encouraged me, though got nothing new from him, as how could I, except a good hint, that he never found it answer to dispute, and that it was as well not to make visits that one disliked over agreeable. When I came away I found my mind in a calm, tranquil state, more humbled, and looking more devoutly up to God. 

Newton and Wilberforce had first been acquainted when Wilberforce was living with his Uncle William and Aunt Hannah as a child. His uncle and aunt had been converted through the ministry of George Whitefield and had sought to bring young William up in the faith. When, however, his family learned that young William had come under the influence of the evangelical revival he was called home to Yorkshire - his grandfather making his position clear: 

“If Billy turns Methodist he shall not have a sixpence of mine”.

William, however, having graduated from Cambridge and having begun a brilliant career as a young Member of Parliament, had come back under the influence of gospel teaching. Travelling through Europe with with his friend the brilliant mathematician Isaac Milner he had read, with Milner, The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul by Philip Dodderidge. (For the rest of his life he would recommend this rigorous gospel text.)

It was in light of this fresh evangelical conversion that Wilberforce made his overture to John Newton. 

This re-acquaintance, at last, would prove profoundly significant: Wilberforce would go on to attend St Mary Woolnoth to hear Newton and, following Newton’s advice, would go to hear Thomas Scott at the Chapel at the Lock Hospital in Westminster. Scott had been converted to the evangelical faith through Newton’s gracious friendship and persuasive witness in Olney, Buckinghamshire. 

Two years after this meeting, and after exposure to regular, rich and gracious gospel preaching, Wilberforce would, on 28 October 1787, make the statement 

“God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.” 

Ben Virgo

Ben Virgo is a Director of Christian Heritage London. He studied Classics at University College London, and is currently church planting in East London.