A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country Contrasted with Real Christianity - Softcover

Wilberforce, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1162730722 ISBN 13: 9781162730721

Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, 2010

Synopsis

A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country Contrasted with Real Christianity is a book written by William Wilberforce. The book provides a critical analysis of the religious practices of the upper and middle classes in England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Wilberforce argues that the religious system of these classes is characterized by a focus on external forms and rituals rather than the true essence of Christianity. He contrasts this with what he considers to be the true nature of Christianity, which he defines as a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. The book is a call to action for Christians to live out their faith in a genuine and meaningful way, rather than simply going through the motions of religious observance. Overall, A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country Contrasted with Real Christianity is a thought-provoking and insightful critique of the religious practices of its time.1829. Contents: Inadequate Conceptions of the Importance of Christianity; Corruption of Human Nature; Chief Defects of the Religious System of the Bulk of professed Christians, in what regards our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit-with a Dissertation concerning the Use of the Passions in Religion; On the prevailing inadequate Conceptions concerning the Nature and the Strictness of Practical Christianity; On the excellence of Christianity in certain important Particulars. Argument which results thence in proof of its Divine Origin. Brief Inquiry into the present State of Christianity in this Country, with some of the Causes which have led to its critical Circumstances. Its Importance to us as a political Community, and practical Hints for which the foregoing Considerations give occasion; and Practical Hints to various Descriptions of Persons.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

About this title

About the Author

William Wilberforce (1759–1833) was an English politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire. In 1785, he underwent a conversion experience and became an evangelical Christian, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform. In 1787, he came into contact with Thomas Clarkson and a group of anti-slave-trade activists, including Granville Sharp, Hannah More and Charles Middleton. They persuaded Wilberforce to take on the cause of abolition, and he soon became one of the leading English abolitionists. He headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for twenty-six years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. Wilberforce was convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education. He championed causes and campaigns such as the Society for the Suppression of Vice, British missionary work in India, the creation of a free colony in Sierra Leone, the foundation of the Church Mission Society, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His underlying conservatism led him to support politically and socially repressive legislation, and resulted in criticism that he was ignoring injustices at home while campaigning for the enslaved abroad. In later years, Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery, and continued his involvement after 1826, when he resigned from Parliament because of his failing health. That campaign led to the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire; Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, close to his friend William Pitt.

Edition details

• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1162730722
• ISBN 13: 9781162730721
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 410