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 Taken from his spiritual journals and his one published book, as well as his unpublished works, letters and recorded reflections on scriptures, we meet in these writings a man who is introspective and self–deprecating, believing he fell far short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.

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.

Just in time for the release of Amazing Grace, the movie about the life of William Wilberforce. This edition of his classic book from 1797, Real Christianity, is paraphrased in modern language and made more accessible to contemporary readers. This is the book that helped abolish the slave trade in the United Kingdom and called Christians to live a more authentic life of faith more than two hundred years ago. The timeless truths it contains will speak to readers in fresh ways today. Christians who eschew cultural Christianity in favor of a real faith in Christ, will find the principles here thought-provoking and applicable. The social justice orientation will appeal to readers of Jim Wallis, Os Guinness, Charles Colson, Shane Claiborne, John Perkins, Bono, and Nancy Pearcey. Readers will also find the book is a good litmus test of the authenticity of their own faith.