The character and career of William Wilberforce (1759-1831) are too well known to need description; it will be sufficient here to touch upon those points in which the great philanthropist was directly concerned in the Evangelical revival.  Only it should be distinctly borne in mind that the main work of his life cannot be separated from his Evangelical principles.  His earnest efforts in behalf of the negro were as plainly the result of Evangelicalism as was the munificence of the Thorntons or the preaching of Venn.  When Wilberforce was first impressed seriously, and was in doubt what plan of life to adopt, he consulted, like many others, John Newton.  He could not have had recourse to a better adviser.  Newton counselled him not to give up his proper position in the world, but to seek in it opportunities for employing his wealth, talents, and influence for his Master’s work.  The wise old man saw that the young enthusiast could help the cause far more effectually as a member of Parliament and friend of the Minister, than ever he could have done as a parochial clergyman or as an itinerant.[829] Hence, Wilberforce, instead of becoming a second Rowland Hill, as he might easily have been persuaded to do, became the staunch supporter of the Evangelical cause in Parliament, and the successful recommender of its principles in general society.

Evangelicalism had been gradually making its way upwards among the social strata.  The earlier Methodism had been influential almost exclusively among the lower and lower middle classes.  Good Lady Huntingdon’s efforts are a proof, rather than an exception to the rule, that Methodism in this form was out of harmony with the tastes of the upper classes, and had little practical efficacy with them.  But Evangelicalism was beginning to excite, not a mere passing curiosity such as had been created by Whitefield’s preaching, but a really practical interest among the aristocracy.  No one contributed more largely to this result than William Wilberforce.  Here was a man of rare social talents, a thorough gentleman, a brilliant orator, and an intimate friend of some of the most eminent men of the day, not only casting in his lot with the ‘calumniated school’ (as Hannah More calls it), but straining every nerve to recommend its principles.  It has been said, indeed, that Wilberforce was not, properly speaking, an Evangelical.[830] This is so far true, that Wilberforce did not identify himself entirely with any religious party, and that he was, as Thomas Scott observes, ‘rather afraid of Calvinism.’  But it would be robbing Evangelicalism of its due, to deny that Wilberforce’s deep religious convictions were solely derived (so far as human agency was concerned) from the Evangelical school.  He was early impressed by the preaching, and perhaps the private counsel, of his schoolmaster, Joseph Milner.  These impressions were afterwards revived and deepened by his intercourse with Isaac Milner, whom he accompanied