Friday, and I’m feeling it’s time for another movie scene. This time a movie script.

One film that I have watched too many times to count is the 2007 film, Amazing Grace. With an all-star cast, it tells the story of William Wilberforce’s attack on the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, working towards his much awaited abolition of the trade through his philanthropic and political work.

However, Wilberforce’s life was not a bed of roses and one of my favourite scenes is actually the low-point of the political journey for Wilberforce. In it, he has just been defeated in debate in The House of Commons. At this time he is ready to give up. Along comes Thomas Clarkson, one of his crew, who never gives up.

Clarkson’s lines in this scene are what make it a favourite.

If ever I feel like I’m confused or wrong on something, about which I thought I was right, and am ready to just toe the line, instead of breaking new ground: Clarkson’s lines are a great antidote.

Even just reading them makes me emotional.

Here’s the scene:

WW: They are cleverer than us, Thomas.
TC: And yet…outside the House of Commons, the mood is with us.
WW: And what good is that?
TC: I have friends in France. Our counterparts. Men of principle, like you and I. They bring me only good news.
WW: News of what?
TC: Revolution. They’re certain it’s coming. In Paris they speak openly in the streets of emancipation. Freedom for all men, and women too. The Americans pulled the cork out of the bottle, Wilberforce. Now the French share the wine.
WW: You talk about revolution as if it were a safe thing.
TC: It’s just a word.
WW: Every day we change things, by degrees. Education, factories.
TC: By degrees. You sound like Dundas! Gradually.
WW: An imperfect order’s better than no order.
TC: No. We must fight for a perfect order!
WW: I’ve pledged an allegiance to the king.
TC: You know as well as I do… the king is insane. He shakes hands with oak trees and claims he can see Germany through his telescope. I know you have your loyalties, Wilberforce, but underneath it you’re more radical than any of us. You see, you never doubt you’re right. What we say of the slave is true of the worker in the field, the weaver, the miner. Shouldn’t they be free to prosper too, instead of the fruits of their labours going to men like Tarleton? Men who spend their money on whores and comic operas. Young girls debauched. Soldiers forced to beg. It’s a natural wave that’s flowing, Wilber. First Boston, then Paris. Next London.
WW: Thomas…you must never speak of revolution in my presence ever again.
TC: I’m going to Paris to see for myself. Why don’t you come with me? Drink some of that wine?

Whatever battle you face, I hope you’re encouraged to soldier on with Clarkson’s great lines.

As Christians we aim to make society a better place, not because we think humanity is great, but because we know how much grace we all need.

As believers we should all be trying to share that grace whether people agree with us or not.

Yours keeping her idealism and realism in balance,

Alison