Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-04-20
Wilbsrfsrse's Religious Zeal.

II there was Gay one thing more out Of
fashion 10 England a, that day III an other,
q was religion. Not iss stats formAlities
Tor they wore guarded wish slric,ssI obssr.
vance Of iest oaths, and Catholic disabilities,
Snd oontsinPt for dissent Bat among the
higher radks the form was All--ths spirit
only name. IL was quite ia keeping With
The temper OF the time that the serious
feeling which began TO influence WILDER.
force even IN hiI t-slfth year should have so
alarmed his family a. 70 cause his removal
iron the danger Of recipient Msihodism 70
The Distractions Of gay soois,y. 10 London,
~ the opening Of his Parliamentary life, he
wAs immersed IN politics aud fashion, a
member OF i've olu b., and, ike al the young
msn-And old ones too-of the Gay,
possessed With strong taste for play. At
their tavorits resort Piu suddenly gave up
cards, alarmed by the intense sArnsstneIs
inso which gambling bsguilsd him, setting
81 example which Wilberlores soon fol
lossd After gaining sIill more distin.
guishsd position IN ParliAmsHt BY his cleo.
ZOO, Al the age Of tvsnty five. As member
for the ooun'y Of York, he made . shor,
tour 10 Earope With the rough philosopher
Isaac Miner, which gave 81 opportunity
tor much speculative discussion on religious
Subjects. The iollouing year they renewed
thor travel aud their rsAsouingi, reading
'he Grssh Testament together, while exam
iniag ns doctrines carefully, with such effect
that on bis rsIurn 10 England Wilbsrtorcs
became sincerely aud thoroughly religious
mAn IN belief aud pracGoe.-Ssrious con.
creations With his friends among the clergy
dsepensd ms i'm pressions, until he made the
usual open professions Of his faith, ooutinu-
ing IhsncsforWArd earnestly aud avovsdly
10 gaide hs lie IN AeoordAncs with the
dictates Of the highest duty.
His position in the world Of EAyetJ aud
business naturally directed Wilbsrforoe's
zsai toward the correction Of that absolute
mas Of morals which shocked his newly
awakened oonsoisnos BY iis general prevA-
lsuos. he believed ''that God had SET be.
fore him a. MS object the reformation Of his
ooanIrya manners In this narrower
sphers he SCI himself actively N work TO
prepare those CON binEtious and organize
the corrsspondsnoe which we're destined
AfssrvArd TO minister 40 signAlly 10 the sue
cess Of grAnder design. Using his in.
husnee as legislator 10 obtain the issue of
q royal proclamation against vice and i'm
morality, he Gvailsd himself, too, Of his
social popularity and winning address TO
engage the interest Of the better Glasses for
bis plans. Visiting moai Of the bishops, be-.
sides many influential lAymen, he prevailed
upon Numbers Of thom TO become mem beis
Of . society formed By him for the reformA-
ton Of manners, which long continued in
actively useful operation, directing legislA-
ton with much effect 10 ohsekinR the
spread Of immoral principles and irrslieious
publications.
A . later period, when the contest over
the great object Of his life was most vshs-
msn,. Wilberforos found time and occasion
TO render another important service TO the
cause Of religion diIIineIively. Before the
year 1903 the difficulty Of obtaining Bibles
OF both home and foreign circulation had
been complained Of In vain. The subject
was quite Out OF the range Of the govern.
meats duties nor could the Church, TO
vh'oh The work properly belonged, find
eteer iunda or energy for its discharge.
"Hoerioree once more applied the plan of
combining The scattered energies Of Chris
hAn men IN an association. LATHE aid for
suoh an Undertaking could be s1psotsd
from hm worldly political ffisnda M an
Hme-leaat OF oil while Pitt Wa. On, Z,
othos during his daAgreemsnt Win A..
kiLR on Catholic emancipation. and while
the preservation Of the hollow peace win
France srErosssd the thoughts OF ali stat.
msn. Bu, Wilbsrfosos's oonnsotion,
and influence extended far beyond the more
political sphere. He called all scots and
parties, merchants, missionaries, msn Of
rank, Ohurohmsn and Disseutsra, to help in
90 catholic plan. The result was tho for
mstIon, IN 1900, Of the British and Foreign
BIBLE Socis,y, The parent Of many organise
hOns with the same object.