Date: May 13, 1789

"[T]he Slave Trade has enslaved their [Africans'] minds, blackened their character and sunk them so low in the scale of animal beings, that some think the very apes are of a higher class, and fancy the Ourang Outang has given them the go-by."

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"Vice with them is rather an accidental and temporary, than a constitutional and habitual distemper; a noxious plant, which, though found to live and even to thrive in the human mind, is not the natural growth and production of the soil."

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"We learn from the Scriptures that it is one main part of the operations of the Holy Spirit, to implant those heavenly principles in the human mind, and to cherish their growth."

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"But it is sometimes not difficult to any one who is accustomed, if the phrase may be allowed, to the anatomy of the human mind, to discern, that generally speaking, the persons who use the above language, rely not so much on the merits of Christ, and on the agency of Divine Grace, as on their ow...

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"But 'the mind diseased' is neglected and forgotten."

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"Remember that the Divine Agency is promised, 'to take away the heart of stone, and give a heart of flesh,' of which it is the natural property to be tender and susceptible."

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"Beware of acquiescing in the evil tempers which have been condemned, under the idea that they are the ordinary imperfections of the best of men; that they shew themselves only in little instances; that they are only occasional, hasty, and transient effusions, when you are taken off your guard; t...

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"Examine carefully, whether the unchristian tempers, which you would eradicate, are not maintained in vigour by selfishness and pride; and strive to subdue them effectually, by extirpating the roots from which they derive their nutriment."

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"Dwell upon this affecting scene, till it has excited your pity; and this pity, while it melts the mind to Christian love, shall insensibly produce a temper of habitual sympathy and softness."

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"The impression becomes deeper; not in consequence of being reinforced by fresh arguments, but merely by dint of having longer rested in the mind; and as they [doubts] increase in force, they creep on and extend themselves. At length they diffuse themselves over the whole of Religion, and possess...

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)