William Wilberforce is probably best known as the leader of the parliamentary campaign for the abolition of the slave trade in the United Kingdom. But behind his heart for justice lay a commitment and desire to serve God that permeated not only his life, but also his writings. Michael D. McMullen has worked extensively on the life and manuscripts of Wilberforce and has carefully selected these daily readings to help readers not only know the man better, but also to point their eyes to the God whom he served. Taken from his spiritual journals and his one published book, as well as his unpublished works, letters and recorded reflections on scriptures, we meet in these writings a man who is introspective and self–deprecating, believing he fell far short of the standards expected of a Christian. But his devotion and love for the God who called him to be an ‘Agent of Usefulness’ is abundantly clear. These words that he wrote to challenge and encourage himself will do the same for a new generation of readers.

Despite his prominent role during the last quarter of the eighteenth century in promoting evangelical Calvinism among British Particular Baptists, only portions of the diary of Andrew Fuller (1754-1815), one of the most important surviving manuscripts from that century, have appeared in print in various volumes published between 1816 and 1882, portions usually inaccurately transcribed and highly editorialized. The current edition is the first complete and accurate transcription of Fuller's diary based on the sole surviving volume now residing at Bristol Baptist College. This edition, with exhaustive identifications, notes, and valuable appendices for students of Baptist history, provides a fascinating glimpse into Fuller's ministry at Soham and Kettering during a period (1780-1801) when he became the titular head of the Particular Baptists as a result of his preaching throughout Northamptonshire and surrounding counties; his writing, such as his influential work, The Gospel Worthy of All Acceptation (1785); and his multi-national work as founding secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society (1792), a position he diligently maintained until his death in 1815, having left a legacy unequalled by any other minister of his generation.

These spiritual journals will give readers insight into the heart and mind of one of Britain's leading abolitionists. William Wilberforce (1759-1833) is best remembered as a leading figure in the movement to have the slave trade abolished throughout the British Empire. He was a Member of Parliament from the age of 21 until he retired due to ill health at the age of 66. His conversion in 1785 caused him to change his lifestyle and to commit his future life and work to the service of God. He wrote a series of spiritual journals as a record of his spiritual pilgrimage. These journals are an honest record of Wilberforce's spiritual life: the Scriptures and Christian books he read; people he met; people he witnessed to; his spiritual and physical struggles; and many other fascinating insights. Throughout his writings his constant desire to be a better Christian is striking. This man, admired by many, saw himself as a sinner, and his diaries are filled with his striving to put this sin to death. He follows a Puritan pattern of self-introspection and his journals are form of spiritual confession. Michael McMullen has transcribed the original manuscripts and has added many helpful annotations and footnotes. Scripture passages, book titles, names of people and events are clarified. These annotations will assist the reader to better understand the context and value of the journals. This work gives an invaluable insight into the life and motivations of William Wilberforce. There is much to be gleaned from his example in life and culture today.