"Strange Grace" a piece of history and a song

Slavery is an ancient system that has been active in all civilized societies for a long time. With the progress of civilization, this system gradually declined in Europe. By the seventeenth century, it mainly existed in the European America in the form of black slaves. territory. Due to the struggle of a group of people with lofty ideals, this system was abolished one after another in the nineteenth century. Although general history records that the British Empire passed legislation prohibiting the slave trade in 1807, and then completely abolished slavery in 1833, but for the ins and outs of this abolitionist movement, supporters and opponents, and what happened during the period. Conflicts and struggles are rarely mentioned. Compared with the abolition of slavery in the United States, the popularity of the peaceful abolition of slavery in Britain can be said to be very low, and I know almost nothing. As we all know, slavery in the United States was eventually ended in a civil war, and 600,000 people died. Later generations and bystanders are always more interested in vigorous and tragic scenes, but those who witnessed it had to endure an unbearable price. The history of the abolition of slavery in the United States has become a favorite theme of historiography and literature due to this famous civil war. History monographs and fictional works related to this period of history are abundant. But this effortless reform in the UK is like its many peaceful reforms in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Although the freedom and welfare of the people have been improved as a result, the society does not need to experience violent turmoil or even bloodshed, but it is often lacking. People pay attention. If I want to understand these reforms in a little detail, I have to spend a lot of effort just to find monographs.
So, thanks to director Michael Apted and his team, through their production of "Amazing Grace" (Amazing Grace), this little-known history can be revealed to people. Although limited to the space and film expression, the story is a bit brief and the perspective is a bit single. This film was completed in 2006 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the passage of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807, and records the promulgation, frustration and final victory of the Act. More meaningfully, this documentary film made us get to know William Wilberforce and his friends. This group of friends, inspired by the Lord Christ, used their knowledge, wisdom, wealth and social status to participate in this abolitionist movement that embodies the spirit of the times.
Through this movie, I also learned about this beautiful song "Strange Grace" and its author John Newton (John Newton). He was once the captain of a slave ship, repented, devoted himself to religion, participated in the abolitionist movement, and composed this classic song. It should be said that he is also a member of this group of friends. In the film, he appears as Wilberforce's mentor and friend. I heard this song for the first time in another movie with a similar theme-"Amistad" directed by Spielberg. I didn't know it at the time. It's called "Strange Grace", but I think the lyrics are very moving, full of gratitude, joy and joy that comes from finding meaning in life. I don't know if the director has similar feelings about this song, I think there should be.
The film reproduces the life and struggle of this group of friends. To a large extent, because of their efforts, the conscience of countless people was awakened, and people of insight from all walks of life began to think, reflect and even oppose slavery. The consensus of the whole society gradually formed, and slavery was eventually used throughout the British Empire. The way of legislation was abolished peacefully and once and for all. The story of the film ends with the abolition of the slave trade bill passed by the Parliament in 1807. According to some documents, these friends continued to use the Parliament as a platform to promote the complete abolition of slavery in 1833 and reform other social abuses. , To promote the human rights, freedom and welfare of the people. Compared with simple, boring and somewhat cold documentary records, the history of the film is naturally much more vivid, which helps us remember these people and events that are worth remembering. Although the whole film revolves around Wilberforce's story, it also tells us with many scenes and plots that a great cause is by no means a personal achievement, but depends on the cooperation, cooperation and support of many like-minded people.
This group of friends made me admire and impressed me especially, in addition to their goals, but also the means they used in the struggle: they always promote their goals in a legal and gradual manner. Although faced with many setbacks, and even though some friends could not help trying the radical and violent revolutionary road because of the hindrance of reform, they all insisted on choosing peaceful and legal means in the end. There is no doubt that belief in the gospel is an important source of their choice. Anyone who is familiar with and agrees with the gospel will get the idea that means and ends are inseparable, and wrong and even evil means cannot bring good the result of. What we should see at the same time is that these friends are also very lucky. The increasingly mature constitutional system of the United Kingdom has also provided conditions for their peaceful struggle so that they can exist legally and finally win.
In a sense, this group of friends are also spreading the gospel to the world, in their own way. Today, two hundred years later, through the literature and through this film that is as simple and beautiful as freedom, these evangelists themselves have become the gospel itself, enlightening and encouraging future generations to pursue a more meaningful life.

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