Souvenir Issue SLAVEBicentenary TRADEcommemorating ABOLITION 1807-2007

musically in a worship service attended by Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Tony Blair, a congre- gation of 2,000, including descen- dants of former slaves, and a TV and radio audience of several million. Burton said he looked at the commemoration service as an opportunity for healing and reconcili- ation. He said the group chose to perform the song, ‘There Is A Balm In Gilead’ with the hope that ‘as people listen they will hear that God is willing to heal, forgive our sins and make us whole.’ Robin Taylor- Hunt, the great, great, great grand- son of William Wilberforce, in a letter to The Times newspaper, complemented ‘the wonderful A news roundup of special events staged in Britain to commemorate the bicentenary of the singing of the black Adventist Abolition of the Slave Trade Vocal Ensemble’ as part of ‘an by Victor Hulbert, Communication director, BUC outstandingly nuanced, balanced and creative act of worship’. dventists believe in freedom of ‘Amazing Grace’ in real life. reality of how Britain was a ‘major This followed a special edition of and the bicentenary of the Historic Westminster Abbey beneficiary of slavery’; yet it was Songs of Praise two days earlier in Abolition of the Slave Trade hosted a service on Tuesday, 27 also the British who ‘led the struggle which the Ensemble joined together AAct on 25 March 1807 gave March to commemorate the bicente- to abolish the system’. The Adventist with Antonia Francis of the Chiswick Adventists across the country nary of the Abolition of the Slave Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Ken church and baritone Sir Willard opportunity to show the meaning Trade Act. The occasion spoke of the Burton, were among those who led White, in a moving programme that

AllStar challenged the past and considered the importance of healing in the present. An especially touching part of the programme was an interview with Vonetta Winter, a Barbadian descendant of slaves who had a particular hatred for slave trader John Hawkins. She had cursed him and his descendants, yet in a recent visit to Gambia had met up with Andrew Hawkins, a descendant of the infamous sea captain. Hawkins is part of Lifeline Expedition and went to the Gambia to apologise personally for the wrongs of his ancestors. It was a profoundly moving moment when the two came together. LifeLine was also active in >2

Top left: Sir Willard White (centre), Ken Burton (right) and the Adventist Vocal Ensemble rehearse for Songs of Praise. Left: Wilberforce needed all his skills as an orator, plus a great deal of stamina, to present the case against the Slave Trade to a House of Commons of powerful, dug-in vested interests. Britain during the bicentenary events think that my great, great, great the legacy of Slavery?’ It was an recording, ‘Let the sound of free- including a 200 mile walk from Hull aunts and uncles and grandparents evening of hot debate which ended dom’, performed by the Chorale to London. Adventist Chris Rogers, were chained up like this for no rea- with a strong challenge by the along with St John’s College Choir in along with wife Su and daughter son at all. But Jesus teaches us to evening’s co-ordinator, Marge a special programme from Asha, joined the walk in Billinghay, forgive and I would like to forgive Lowhar, ‘It’s not enough simply to Cambridge University, appearing on and were so impressed by the spirit those who did this to my ancestors.’ talk about these issues. We have to BBC Radio 2’s ‘Good Morning of forgiveness and love being shared Daniela Charles, from Year 4, added, ask ourselves, What difference am I Sunday’ with Aled Jones on 25 by the 14-strong team of marchers ‘I don’t think it matters what colour going to make.’ March, and the Songs of Praise and that they joined them for a day’s you are, the important thing is never Those attending the lecture also Westminster events mentioned marching on Sabbath 10 March and to lose sight that God loves us all got a taster from Mervyn Weir’s pro- above, I asked Ken about his per- then again as part of the Walk of and that in his eyes, we are all duction ‘Nobody Knows’ to be spective on Amazing Grace and the Witness from Whitehall to special.’ launched this September at the current bicentennial. He replied, Kennington Park. Su said, ‘Singing On Sabbath 24 March, Adventist Drum Theatre in Birmingham. This ‘Freedom has always been at the top “Amazing Grace” in the cold out- churches across the country joined will coincide with a brand new exhi- of God’s agenda from the beginning Equiano and the priest in a taster for Mervyn Weir’s upcoming ‘Nobody Knows’ doors with people united by the in singing ‘Amazing Grace’. In Level Forum, ‘Let My People Go’ bition at the Birmingham Museum of the world and will be a true reality vision to see modern day slavery Beckenham Hope Community church on the life of former slave and when this world as we know it will abolished was certainly exhilarating.’ the hymn instilled passion for com- for all Seventh-day Adventists and ery. It was his essay on Slavery that ardent abolitionist, Olaudah Equiano. give way to a new world where all The walk also gave the family oppor- munity mission in the context of makes the hymn, “Amazing Grace” enlisted William Wilberforce MP to The segment provided a thought- will be peace and justice. This is tunity to be interviewed by film- their inauguration as a church that to be of particular meaning. be the public voice that led to the provoking illustration of some of the my firm belief, and the very thing maker, Michael Lienau as part of the very Sabbath. In multi-cultural I applaud the work of men like abolition of the Slave Trade. Their issues between church and slavery that gives me hope from day to LifeLine project. Newbold, a saxophone rendition in Clarkson, Wilberforce, and Newton. music ministry was appreciated by as a priest and freed slave dialogued day.’ During the journey, LifeLine both church services reminded wor- What was common to them all was the many relatives of Thomas together. That is the hope in the heart of passed by Hyland House Adventist shippers of God’s amazing grace to that they were Christians . . . and Clarkson and Granville Sharp in Many other events, lectures and every Seventh-day Adventist. school, taking morning assembly all of us. This was also emphasised without the efforts of these men attendance at the service. promotions took place around the A more comprehensive report of and sharing with the children what by BUC President, Pastor Don perhaps I would not be here today.’ A Level 7 Evangelistic forum Union. However, events can best be Adventist participation in the events slavery meant and what had hap- McFarlane. In a video interview on It was Thomas Clarkson who the aimed at the business community in summed up by London Adventist of the bicentenary is available on the pened in the past. They explained the BUC website, downloaded or Ipswich Adventist Gospel Choir had the London area focused on the role Chorale director, Ken Burton. After a BUC website, the importance of forgiveness and viewed over 700 times and shown in in mind as they sang the spiritual, of the church as an oppressor or lib- heavy schedule this spring, including www.adventistnews.org.uk/news looking to the future. Volunteers then a number of churches, he stated, ‘I ‘Ev’ry Time I Feel De Spirit’, in erator of slaves. In a 3 April meeting an especially commissioned BBC abolition. yoked and chained both children and am a product of slavery, and many morning worship at St Mary’s at the London Docklands museum, adults of the European members of members of our church here in the Church, Playford. Clarkson is buried specialist speakers tackled the topic, LifeLine. It made an impression on United Kingdom are products of in the local churchyard and was one ‘Has the church been more respon- the children. Genevieve, a Year 3 slavery.’ He continued, ‘This makes of the great British Abolitionists who sible for enslaving rather than (Above & below) Hull to London LIFELINE march x2 caught the attention of film-makers as well child, said, ‘I feel really sad when I the bicentenary of the abolition of devoted his whole adult life to end- emancipating Africans and what is as TV crews see what a yoke looks like and to the slave trade a very special event ing the African slave trade and slav- the role of the church in dealing with

NUTRIENT HOW IT HELPS FOODS TO EAT Beta carotene Converted to vitamin A in the body and is a key antioxidant, Yellow / orange and dark green helping to dispel ‘free radicals’ that cause disease. vegetables & fruits Bioflavenoids This group of phytonutrients aid the immune system by Fruits and vegetables protecting the cell membranes against incoming infection. Carotenoids Natural plant chemicals, such as beta carotene, increase the Sweet potato, orange fruits and vegetables amount of infection-fighting cells and are powerful antioxidants. LIFELINE walk from Hull (home of Wilberforce) to London, reaches Hyland House SDA School, Walthamstow Glyconutrients Act as a natural immune-boosters by enhancing ‘killer’ and Garlic, onions, yams, sweet potato, ‘T Helper’ cells to fight infection. parsnip, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomato, berries, pineapple, pawpaw, rice bran and aloe vera Omega 3 fatty These help to boost immunity by increasing the activity of Seeds, in particular linseeds (flax) acids phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up bacteria. Phytonutrients Health supporting compounds acting as antioxidants, cholesterol Vegetables, nuts and herbs THE IMMUNE SYSTEM (part 2) fighters and immune-boosters. Probiotics Supplements that contain ‘good’ bacteria. They assist the body’s Yoghurt Immune-boosting foods naturally occurring flora in the digestive tract in re-establishing While it is best to eat food as close as possible themselves. to its natural state as often as we can, some Selenium Helps increase the number of natural ‘killer cells’. Brown rice, sunflower seeds, Brazil foods are better eaten slightly cooked as it nuts, (egg yolks, cottage cheese for increases the absorption of nutrients to boost ovo-lacto-vegetarians) immunity. Foods rich in beta carotene are an Vitamin C It increases the production of infection-fighting white blood Kiwi fruit, citrus fruit, strawberries, example of this. cells and antibodies, while increasing levels of interferon, tomatoes, green peppers The table below identifies foods known to the antibody that coats cell surfaces to block the entry of viruses. boost immunity, their food group and vitamin Vitamin E An important antioxidant and immune-booster that stimulates Seeds, vegetable oils, grains, nuts content and how they work to deliver good the production of natural cells. Needed to fight wrinkles as well! immunity to the body. Zinc Increases the production of white blood cells that fight infection, Nuts, seeds as well as increasing ‘killer cells’. Ipswich Adventist Choir with Playford Benefice Choir sing ‘Amazing Grace’. Pastor Don McFarlane interviewed for ‘Amazing Grace’

2 Messenger 3 Messenger Lest We Forget Don W. McFarlane As with the Holocaust, the Slave Trade is a blot on history’s landscape that we must never forget.

ne could be forgiven for shrieks of the women, and the thinking that too much is groans of the dying, rendered the being made of the 200th whole a scene of horror almost Oanniversary of the Act to inconceivable.’ The Interesting abolish the Slave Trade, when the Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Captain Joseph Bates history of the world is littered with Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the the enslavement of people in differ- African, London, 1789, from ‘The instinct to enslave is still ent times and places. The enslave- chapter 2. very much present in the ment of the Hebrews by the As in the case of the Holocaust, modern world: it’s as if slavery is Egyptians readily springs to mind as we now look back and ask: How a kind of compulsion for human an example of such historical reali- could this have happened? How societies, people go back again ties. Additionally, ‘Slavery was could it have been allowed? These and again to treating people as deeply embedded in the ancient two questions are even more perti- objects, as possessions, and I Near-eastern and Greco-Roman nent when one remembers that the don’t think we can simply sit worlds. . .’ (Carl Saunders, ‘The Slave Trade was initiated and main- back and say “it’s a thing of the

Bible in the American Slavery tained by Christian nations whose past.”’ One of the most meaning- Only two images were ever officially sponsored by England’s Abolitionist Society. One was the Society’s emblem. The other was this plan of the Debates: Text and Interpretation,’ missionaries were to ‘preach’ to the ful ways in which the United Liverpool slave ship, the Brookes. Wilberforce House, Kingston upon Hull City Museums and Art Galleries, UK The Bible in Transition – a Forum world the freedom that the Gospel Kingdom and other developed for Change in the Church and engenders. The Church of England countries can mark the 200th Culture, Spring 2007). However, the itself owned slaves in the West anniversary of the Act to abolish Exploitation the perpetration of injustice. The However, the apostle goes on to transatlantic Slave Trade, with its Indies, who were freed in 1833. the Slave Trade is to seek to • The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Bible is quite clear about our say, ‘Therefore, there is now no attendant dehumanising practices, Many Christians ‘ . . . believed bring an end to present-day in an article entitled, ‘Modern equality and oneness in Christ, condemnation for those who are stands alongside the Holocaust as that the Bible legitimated both the slavery. Slavery in the United Kingdom,’ whatever our gender, social posi- in Christ Jesus, because through an indelible stain on modern history institution and the practice of says that there are three essen- tion, or ethnic background: ‘For Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit and a scar on mankind. It is right, slavery. . . . They quoted extensively An Under-class in the UK tial elements of an exploitative all of you who were baptised into of life set me free from the law of then, that the bicentenary of the from the Old and New Testaments, • That economic slavery is a reality relationship which constitute Christ have clothed yourselves sin and death.’ (Romans 8:1, Act to abolish the Slave Trade be they argued lucidly and convincingly, in sophisticated Western society slavery: ‘severe economic with Christ. There is neither Jew NIV.) celebrated enthusiastically and and they were able to integrate today. To a large degree, capital- exploitation, the lack of a human nor Greek, slave nor free, male Olaudah Equiano, a slave who had purchased his freedom and who played a major role in the extensively. scriptural teaching into a coherent abolition of the Slave Trade ism is sustained by having a rights framework; and control of nor female, for you are all one in Jesus is Emancipator Supreme. Olaudah Equiano, a slave who system.’ (Carl Saunders, ‘The Bible large work-force that is poorly one person over another by the Christ Jesus. If you belong to His death on Calvary paid the pur- had purchased his freedom and who in the American Slavery Debates: paid. The experience of some prospect or reality of violence.’ Christ, then you are Abraham’s chase price for our freedom and played a major role in the abolition Text and Interpretation,’ The Bible in injustices that resulted from the unconverted heart of even those recently-arrived workers from The article goes on to say: seed, and heirs according to the those who accept his offer of of the Slave Trade, gives a graphic Transition – a Forum for Change in enslavement of Africans and took who claim to be Christians is Eastern Europe illustrates this ‘Many relationships of enslave- promise.’ (Galatians 3:27- 29, salvation stand in the liberty that description in his autobiography of the Church and Culture, Spring steps to end it. Joseph Bates, the capable of planning and execut- point clearly. They left their ment do not involve actual NIV.) his righteousness provides and look his trip from Nigeria to Barbados: 2007.) former sea captain who had so ing unbridled evil. While we countries with promises of being physical violence but the forward to his return to earth to ‘The closeness of the place, and While it is a matter of regret that much to do with Adventists accept- berate others for unbelievable paid the minimum wage here in nature of the relationship – The Enslavement of Sin establish a kingdom free of sin the heat of the climate, added to many of those who were deeply ing the Sabbath, helped found the acts of violence and crimes the UK and being given accom- appalling working and housing • That the severest enslavement of and its consequences. Like John, the number in the ship, which involved with the Slave Trade were Abolitionist Society in his home against humanity, we must modation at a fairly cheap rate. conditions, the withdrawal of all is that caused by sin, which I feel inspired to shout, ‘“Even so, was so crowded that each had Christians, it is encouraging to know town. (Joseph Bates, The not forget the pages of history When they arrived, they found passports or ID documents, has condemned us all to death. come, Lord Jesus.”’ scarcely room to turn himself, that those who worked tirelessly for Autobiography of Elder Joseph littered with the crimes of working conditions that were deceit and abuse of power, the Speaking of this enslavement, almost suffocated us. This pro- its abolition were also Christians. Bates (1868), pp. 232, 233, 236- ‘Christians.’ inhumane and degrading, were use of physical intimidation – the apostle Paul says, ‘We know duced copious perspirations, so The latter were Christians who 238.) Ellen White said that paid much less than they had renders the possibility of that the law is spiritual; but I am that the air soon became unfit for understood the meaning of the Adventists should not obey the law Slavery in Today’s World been promised and were given flight remote. There is much unspiritual, sold as a slave to respiration, from a variety of brotherhood of all men and the which required escaped slaves to be • That slavery is still prevalent in filthy accommodation for which evidence that those who do sin. I do not understand what I loathsome smells, and brought Fatherhood of God. Wilberforce, returned to their masters and openly the world today. It is estimated they had to pay nearly twice as protest about such conditions do. For what I want to do I do not on a sickness among the slaves, Clarkson, Equiano, Sharp, eventually advocated disobeying Federal that there are at least 12 million much as they had initially been may be beaten, abused, raped, do, but what I hate I do. . . . of which many died, thus falling Newton, and others realised that statutes with regard to the unjust people worldwide who are work- told. Then we cannot forget that deported or even killed.’ What a wretched man I am! Who victims to the improvident slavery was incompatible with the treatment of slaves. (Testimonies, ing as slaves. They are forced to many major firms, some of which (February 2007 - Ref 2035) will rescue me from this body of avarice, as I may call it, of their most basic Christian principle – love vol. 1, p. 202) work against their will and are are UK-based, rely on people death? Thanks be to God – purchasers. This wretched situa- for God and love for our fellow men. As we celebrate the abolition of bought and sold as if they were working in the most appalling Oneness in Christ through Jesus Christ our Lord! So tion was again aggravated by the They set about working for its aboli- the Slave Trade, is important not to mere chattels. The Archbishop of conditions overseas and being • That the denial to others of the then, I myself in my mind am a galling of the chains, now tion as if their very lives depended forget: Canterbury, Rowan Williams, in paid abominable wages. Complex rights we enjoy can be seen as a slave to God’s law, but in the become insupportable; and the on it. his Online Reflection – Slavery sub-contracting and supply form of enslavement. Whether sinful nature a slave to the law filth of the necessary tubs, into It is also heart-warming to know The Crimes of ‘Christians’ Still with us, 14 March 2007, chains, managed by agents that denial is based on educa- of sin.’ (Romans 7:14, 15, 24, which the children often fell, and that the pioneers of the Seventh-day • That there is potential for evil in says that the instinct to enslave elsewhere, often obscure the tional, economic, cultural or gen- 25, NIV.) If the story ended here, were almost suffocated. The Adventist Church understood the the heart of every person. The others is a contemporary reality: involvement of the major firms. der differences, it is most likely we would be without hope. Ellen G. White with her husband 4 Messenger 5 Messenger AllStar embraced the Methodist faith as a response to a the power of the pen successfully to influence spiritual yearning in his life. This brought him into the process of political change in Britain and The Legacy of Olaudah Equiano, the the third stage of his remarkable life. Later, in the its colonies. Thus, the power of a deter- 1780s, he joined forces with Christian abolitionists mined intellectual argument should not African Abolitionist by Keith Davidson and other Afro-Britons such as Ignatius Sancho be underestimated as a great tool to and Quobna Ottabah Cugoano to campaign for the conquer the forces of inequality and abolition of the slave trade and an end to slavery. injustice. Introduction you are listening to the authentic voice of a victim He and his friends took the argument for In the midst of adversity and The success of the transatlantic Slave Trade and his journey to freedom. His narrative, which emancipation to the highest political and constitu- exploitation, Equiano displayed a abolitionists’ movement of 200 years ago helped by any standards is a great piece of literature, tional levels. Writing to the Lords Spiritual and spirit of enterprise. While a slave, he determine the course of history. The outcome of suppressed for centuries, charts his experiences Temporal, and the Commons of the Parliament of found creative and industrious ways of earning their effort changed the nature of world trade, through three phases: (1) his struggle under the Great Britain, he said: ‘Permit me with the great- the money needed to secure his freedom. Thus, commerce, politics, international relationships brutality of slavery; (2) his adventure and travels est deference and respect, to lay at your feet the the will to succeed cannot be forever suppressed and our attitude and perceptions to racial equality as a seaman; and (3) his spiritual development following genuine Narrative; the chief design of or blocked by obstacles, nor by the combined and justice. and work as an abolitionist. which is to excite in your august assemblies a forces of injustice and inequality. Thus, this bicentenary celebration of the 1807 sense of compassion for the miseries which the As we contend with the struggles faced by this Abolition of the Slave Trade Act should not just be As a slave Equiano’s character in the recent film Amazing Grace Slave Trade has entailed on my unfortunate coun- generation of the descendants of African slaves in an occasion to acknowledge a significant and Equiano was born around 1745 in what is now trymen. By horrors of that trade I was first torn our society today, Equiano’s experience, quoting major historical event. Rather, in addition, it South-eastern Nigeria. At age 10 (1755) he was description chained together, every countenance away from all the tender connexions that were again when he says, ‘By horrors of that trade I should be seized upon as a time for us to ponder kidnapped from his village and, after seven expressing dejection and sorrow, I no longer dear to my heart. . . .’ His representation did not was first torn away from all the tender connexions and reflect on how best we can invest the legacy months of passing from one native slave owner to doubted of my fate. . . .’ only rest with parliamentarians, he also wrote to that were dear to my heart. . . ,’ suggests that of the abolitionists to inspire our vision and mis- another, he finally came to the sea coast. In his Equiano was eventually taken to the West Her Majesty the Queen, saying: ‘I supplicate your there could be a link between a person’s motiva- sion as we ourselves are engaged in shaping the book he describes this moment: ‘The first object Indies for a few days before being brought to Majesty’s compassion for millions of my African tion (the inner spirit of hope) and his/her history future for the twenty-first century. which saluted my eyes when I arrived on the coast Virginia, USA. He was sold to a local planter but countrymen, who groan under the lash of tyranny and identity in life. It seems apparent that Equiano was the sea, and a slave-ship . . . waiting for its stayed there for only a month before being bought in the West Indies . . . what is inhuman must ever drew on the positive aspects of his early upbring- African Writers cargo. . . . When I looked round the ship too, and by Michael Henry Pascal, an officer of the Royal be unwise.’ ing as he endured the gruesome experience of As a contribution to this reflection and visioning, saw . . . a multitude of black people of every Navy. He served Pascal until 1762 when he was slavery. And we know from the richness of the through persuasion and reason, oppression and this article focuses on the life and work of SipaPress/RexFeatures Equiano’s Legacy Negro Spirituals composed by slaves that they injustice. For Isaiah 58:6, NIV, says: ‘Is not this Olaudah Equiano. He was one of a number of free In considering Equiano’s legacy to us today, it is retained hope and endurance from their traditional the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the African writers in the eighteenth century, along clear that his writings, and those of his fellow musical heritage. chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, with other Christian leaders such as William African friends, had a profound impact on the Finally, as a Church committed to the Gospel to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?’ Wilberforce, who led the campaign for the debate and the campaign to abolish the truth, let us go forward with boldness like Equiano To champion the cause of the downtrodden is abolition of the slave trade and slavery. Transatlantic Slave Trade. They effectively used and the early Christian abolitionists, and confront, biblical. Whereas Wilberforce mobilised the parliamen- tary forces that eventually ensured the passage of the famous Act, Equiano and other African writers such as Ignatius Sancho and Quobna Ottabah Cugoano were very instrumental in providing: (a) the factual accounts of the moral decadence of the trade (from their experiences as victims of the Slave Trade); and (b) the intellectual arguments from their writings to support parliamentary campaigners. Equiano’s classic work entitled The Interesting Narrative provides a unique firsthand account of the Transatlantic Slave Trade experience from the perspective of the slave. In reading his narrative

SipaPress/RexFeatures

Eighteenth century engravings showing (above) recently enslaved Africans being led to the ‘Slave Coast’ of West Africa, (below) slaves being offered at auction in Virginia again sold, this time to a merchant captain who returned him to the West Indies. However, Equiano was able to purchase his freedom in 1766 from his master on the island of Montserrat, paying him £40.00.

Freedom As a free man, and now in the second phase in his life, Equiano remained for a while in employ- ment with his former master as a seaman, making several trading journeys to Georgia, Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Then between 1767 and 1773, based in London, he worked on commercial ves- sels sailing to the Mediterranean and the West Indies. He also joined a pioneering expedition to the Arctic in 1773, but on his return to London he

6 Messenger 7 Messenger principle he sought to establish was that if, by some chance, a person categorised ‘slave’ overseas came to The Abolitionists and England, that person became free. Sharp believed that so passionately that repeatedly he was prepared to test the principle in the courts. ‘The Accursed Thing’ Escaped slaves sought out Sharp knowing that he would champion their cause. he story of John Newton – the plantations. In his cabin Newton the Slave Trade in 1772, slave trader who became a read the Bible. On deck he conduct- he knew that slaves in Thomas Clarkson. Below: Thomas Clarkson monument in Thymn writer – is well known. ed Sunday services for the crew. the American colonies Wisbech It is popularly believed that Below deck was a human cargo in were kept even by some Newton’s conversion occurred during chains. of his fellow Quakers. a storm at sea and that after that he When Newton did finally abandon Nevertheless, so influ- abandoned – and campaigned the slave trade to begin training for ential was Benezet’s pub- against – the Slave Trade. the Anglican ministry, the reasons lication that, though it John Newton William Wilberforce, played by Ioan Gruffudd, on board the slave ship, the Madagascar, in the What Newton abandoned at his given related to his health, not his was published in London, film ‘Amazing Grace’ conversion was swearing, not the ethics. within five years no American slave trade. At the time of his con- Until the Abolitionist campaign of Quaker owned slaves. Similarly Granville Sharp, however, was what had worked as a clergyman among Cause’ was his tireless diligence in version Newton had been a slave the 1780s Christians across the influential was John Wesley’s played the major role in awakening the plantations and a medic on gathering factual data. Certainly captain for three years. For the next spectrum kept slaves. When Thoughts Upon Slavery published in British opinion to the evils of (his slave ships), Thomas Clarkson and, Clarkson did this and left his data in six years he continued to ship Granville Sharp published A 1774, an impassioned appeal to words) ‘The Accursed Thing’. eventually, William Wilberforce. print. But to reduce Clarkson’s con- enslaved Africans to Caribbean Representation of the Injustice and slavers, merchants and plantation Granville was one of the fourteen tribution to a collector of data for Dangerous Tendency of Tolerating owners to abandon ‘the iniquitous offspring of Archdeacon Thomas The Quakers others to use is to underestimate the Slavery in 1769 he was appealing to trade’ – if only to save their own Sharp. The whole highly cohesive At least as important, it was at passion and extent of his commit- the sensitivities of Christians with souls. family was both enlightened and Teston that Sharp and Clarkson ment. Both Clarkson and Wilberforce regard to a barbarous institution. gifted. One member of this Yorkshire began to learn campaigning had been at St John’s College, When Anthony Benezet published An Sharp family became an influential bishop techniques from the Quakers. Cambridge. If Wilberforce had a Inquiry into the Rise and Progress of The sheer, dogged persistence of in the North. The other family mem- The Quakers pioneered modern higher profile as an abolitionist it bers lived in London within a few campaigning methods: petitions, was because he came from a streets of one another. Each one networking, the consumer boycott, wealthier background and had the excelled in music. A wonderful paint- images, logos. political and social skills. Both men, ing of the whole boiling of them, with The image they relentlessly put however, had connections with the their musical instruments, appears before the public was the engraving major political figures of the day: in the National Portrait Gallery over of The Brookes, a fully-loaded William Pitt, Charles James Fox, the title ‘The Sharp Family’. They Liverpool slave ship. The logistics Edmund Burke, inter alia. met most evenings to discuss and of inhumanity boggled thousands of practise their music. On summer minds and won tens of thousands Wilberforce Granville Sharp evenings they made up a small of converts to the abolitionist cause. Wilberforce came from a wealthy orchestra and played from a barge The Quakers cared for the mass dis- on the Thames. Vast crowds met on tribution and publishing needs of the the embankment to be entertained mass campaign. Josiah Wedgwood by them. Among them, from time to provided the logo: a slave encircled time, were King George III and Queen by the words, ‘Am I not a man and a Charlotte. brother?’ Following the American York, Granville Sharp was also very In one such case, that of James The abolitionist campaign was Declaration of Independence in much aware that he was descended Somerset in 1772, Sharp achieved a out of the courtroom and into the 1776, Granville Sharp resigned from from a long line of Yorkshire landmark judgement from Lord Chief headlines. his post in the civil service in protest Puritans. Part of his legacy from the Justice Mansfield upholding the at British Government policy. Among Puritans was a religious obligation to principle he held dear. Clarkson Sharp’s close friends was Benjamin defend English freedom – and to Among Sharp’s valuable friend- Thomas Clarkson, the son of a Franklin. His commitment to freedom extend that freedom to all of ships was that with self-liberated Wisbech schoolmaster, won a prize was uncompromising. More so, in humanity. ex-slave Olaudah Equiano (aka at Cambridge for his essay, ‘Is it fact, than that of Franklin, as The London in which Sharp lived Gustavus Vassa). Sharp worked with lawful to enslave others against their became evident as the American was a city with a large black com- Equiano to expose the iniquity of the will?’ Clarkson was as dead set War of Independence proceeded. munity. Sharp believed that, though Zong affair in which an insurance against slavery as he was against Sharp was quick to point this out. lawyers bent the law to favour the fraud revealed that slavers had the trade that made it possible. Franklin and the American ‘Founding wealthy, the Common Law of drowned part of their human cargo Clarkson and Wilberforce embraced Fathers’ were not prepared to extend England provided for ‘the equal because they believed that it paid the abolitionist cause. Both men the ‘inalienable right’ of freedom to protection of the King’s laws’ to be them to do so. with Granville Sharp and ten other black people. In Granville Sharp’s extended to ‘all men, women and The Zong case served to put Christians formed a ‘brotherhood of words, ‘The home of the brave will children of whatever colour’. He Sharp and Equiano in touch with Sir Christian politicians’ dedicated to continue to be the home of the further believed that, under the Charles and Lady Middleton at ending the infamous trade. The Sharp Family, by Johan Zoffany, 1779-81. From left to right, the Sharp brothers, James playing the serpent, and Granville leaning on the piano, slave.’ Common Law of England there could whose home at Teston in Kent he It has often been said that The statue of William Wilberforce outside his William in Windsor uniform with hat raised and John dressed in black. The grandson of an Archbishop of be ‘no property in persons’. The encountered James Ramsay (who Clarkson’s contribution to ‘the home in Hull 8 Messenger 9 Messenger merchant family in Hull. Family slaves were taken across the began with the Spanish and ment, but more especially the Lords. cities (where Wilberforce had his had folded, Ramsay and Equiano For a few months prior to his Act on 25 March 1807 Wilberforce’s connections in Wimbledon put him in Atlantic, half of them in British Portuguese exploration and colonis - We cannot but admire the energy greatest support). Wilberforce’s were dead, Sharp was in his 60s, untimely death, Charles James Fox righteous cause had reached a sig- touch in his youth with John Newton, ships. ation of the late fifteenth century. and tenaciousness with which celebrity supporters, like Wilberforce Newton in his 70s, and Clarkson had came out of retirement to give vital nificant stage. Closure was officially by then an evangelical preacher. The Slavery had been endemic in the England became involved in the Wilberforce, year after year, intro- himself, lived in Clapham during this withdrawn to Lakeland solitude. support to the Cause. called on British involvement in ‘The evangelical Christianity of Newton ancient world, but there had been no late sixteenth century, Sir John duced bills and motions against the period. Hence they were sarcastic - In the early years of the new In October 1806 a general Accursed Thing’ on 1 January 1808. was deeply unfashionable in the ‘slave trade’ on that scale. Nor had Hawkins being the first Englishman slave trade and, after impassioned ally referred to as ‘the Clapham century, Wilberforce and his election was fought, in part, on the Only in 1833, after many more circles in which the Wilberforces there been anything to compete with to build a fortune on the trade. By speeches of more than three hours Sect’ or ‘The Saints’ by their various ‘Clapham Sect’ found time to found issue of the slave trade. The political years of campaigning, did a govern- moved, and William was removed the dehumanisation resultant from the eighteenth century the Trade had duration and early signs of hope, detractors, in recognition of the the British and Foreign Bible Society nation showed how it stood. ment led by one of the proposers of from the sphere of his influence to a conditions in the West African slave become a major source of invest- saw them fail, but came out Christian commitment that drove (Sharp was chair) and the Church The Duke of Gloucester, the Wilberforce’s Bill, Charles, Earl Grey, typical country grammar school in forts, where Africans were kept prior ment capital for the Industrial fighting. them. Missionary Society which financed King’s nephew, broke ranks with the preside over the Abolition of Slavery East Yorkshire. Only years later, by to shipment, and conditions on Revolution. In addition it financed Thomas Clarkson had a nervous Before his breakdown, Clarkson the sending of missionaries to India. royals and, following Lord Grenville’s itself in British-owned territories. which time Wilberforce was a board the slave vessels in which the the purchase of vast country estates breakdown, lost heart and withdrew was responsible in whipping up the Ironically it was the death of introduction of the Abolition Bill in Only two days later William Member of Parliament and had Africans lived and died in the (mini- and huge, extravagant houses to an isolated home in the Lake support of 300,000 for a boycott of Wilberforce’s close friend, Prime the Lords, said, ‘My Lords, I cannot Wilberforce passed to his rest. inherited the Wimbledon house, did mum four week) passage to the bought and built by the English aris- District. Wilberforce’s political allies, West Indian sugar. Minister Pitt, that created the find language sufficiently strong to ‘Thank God that I should have lived he renew his connection with Caribbean and the Americas. tocracy, gentry and the emerging including Pitt, prioritised the war On some occasions Wilberforce’s political context in which Abolition express my abhorrence of this to witness a day in which England is Newton. Hence it was as a rising African slave traders sold class of industrial entrepreneurs. with France. Fox retired for some bills passed the Commons and came was, first, revived and, then, abominable traffic in human blood.’ willing to give 20 millions sterling for young politician, moving in the most Africans to slave captains in West That meant that men like years. Wilberforce, often struggling to grief in the Lords. On two occa- succeeded. The fact that the Lords passed the abolition of slavery,’ he said. exalted parliamentary circles, that Africa; the evidence brought to the Wilberforce and Clarkson had taken with health issues, toiled on. sions the Duke of Clarence, the For Pitt, abolition was a personal the bill first helped to win ‘a terrific That such a day dawned owed Wilberforce experienced the attention of Parliament by on the largest, most powerful vested Outside Parliament there was King’s son who would one day be ambition: one among many. For list of doubtfuls’ over to Wilberforce much to a tight-knit group of friends Christian conversion that was also a Wilberforce indicated that some interest in Britain. The West Indies massive support for Abolition. King William IV, played a pivotal role Pitt’s successor, Lord Granville, it and the Cause of Abolition in the who now, without Wilberforce, conversion to the Abolitionist Cause. were prisoners of war and others the sugar industry and the transatlantic Hundreds of petitions against the in ensuring the failure of was a political priority. He had been Commons. continued the fight against slavery The Slave Trade was at its height victims of raiding parties. slave trade had disproportionate slave trade were presented to Wilberforce’s efforts. Wilberforce’s most consistent When George III gave his assent in the wider world. in the 1780s. 794,000 African The transatlantic slave trade support in both houses of parlia- Parliament annually from Yorkshire By 1800 the abolition committee supporter in the Lords. to the Abolition of the Slave Trade Their work is by no means done.

grandfather, so these people were real family. As I Dates and Figures perpetual servitude, is a crime as unjustifiable as it by other slaves and was well-known as a preacher and ple. This is the last obstacle that both black and reflected on this reality, I asked the question: How did The enslavement of Africans by the English started with is cruel; but to avow and to defend this infamous leader. Sharpe also became a deacon in the Burchell white peoples can join together to tackle and Abolition and my great, great grandfather and my great grandfather the first English slaving expedition by Sir John Hawkins traffic required the ability and the modesty of you Baptist church in Montego Bay, Jamaica. As he travelled eradicate. cope with slavery back then, and what part did they in 1562. When slavery was abolished in 1833, £20 mil- and Mr. Tobin. Can any man be a Christian who to different estates in the St James parish, he would The Department of Education published an official play in its abolition? They survived slavery, because I lion was voted as compensation to slave owners for asserts that one part of the human race were educate the slaves about Christianity and freedom. In a report in 2006, which showed that African-Caribbean Legacy of The am here, but how did they do that? It is important to loss of property. Nothing at all was for the enslaved ordained to be in perpetual bondage to another?’ mistaken belief that emancipation had already been children are three times more likely to be excluded know your history and to learn how with love, determi- Africans. It is estimated that between 9 and 12 million granted by the 1807 Abolition of Slavery Act, Sharpe from school because of ‘systematic racial discrimina- nation, altruism and courage others before you and, Africans were transported to the Americas, and an In 1792 Equiano married Susan Cullen of Ely. The organised a peaceful strike across many estates in tion’ against them. Figures published by the depart- Transatlantic consequently you, can ‘make a way out of no way’ equal number to the Caribbean and other places by couple had two children, Anna Maria and Johanna. western Jamaica. ‘The Christmas Rebellion’ began on ment in 2005 showed that the rate of permanent through God’s love. European slavers between 1560 and 1807. There are However, Anna Maria died when she was only four 25 December 1831 at the Kensington Estate, but was exclusions for African-Caribbean children was four in Slave Trade I met William Wilberforce’s great, great granddaugh- no accurate figures for the myriad numbers smuggled years old. Olaudah Equiano died on 31 March 1797, halted within two weeks and approximately 300 slaves, 10,000, compared with around 1.3 for white British ter at the service for the commemoration of the 1807 across the Atlantic to avoid regulations, and no ac - aged only 52. including Sharpe, were hanged. The Rebellion caused pupils. However, the rate for black African children by Beulah A. Plunkett Act to Abolish Slavery, which was held on 27 March curate records of those born into slavery. two detailed Parliamentary Inquiries, which contributed was similar to the white British figure at around 1.5. 2007 at Westminster Abbey. She sat next to me during Sojourner Truth - American abolitionist and to the 1833 Abolition of Slavery across the British Chinese pupils had the lowest exclusion rate of 0.2, lavery resulting from the transatlantic Slave the service, and proudly introduced herself at the end. I The contributions of Africans to the abolition of their women’s rights activist, born into slavery. Empire. In 1975, the government of independent followed by Indian children at 0.5, Bangladeshi at 0.8 Trade covered the 300 year period from could not tell her who my great, great grandfather was enslavement Born in 1797 in Hurley, New York, Sojourner died on 26 Jamaica proclaimed Sharpe a national hero with the and Pakistani at around 1. the1560s through to the 1860s. My great, as precisely as she could tell me about hers. From the onset of slavery, millions of Africans gave their November 1883 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Originally title Rt Excellent Samuel Sharpe. The report concludes that: ‘The exclusions gap is Sgreat grandfather and my great grandfather Historians have tried to blot out the records of slav- lives to end their individual slavery by attempting to run named Isabella Baumfree, in 1843 she was inspired by caused by largely unwitting, but systematic, racial were enslaved Africans. My father knew his ery and so the mass of the population, both black and away. That was their attempt at ending slavery, and we the Millerites, a religious group who believed the world The long-term effects of the slave trade in discrimination in the application of disciplinary and grandfather and white, are only just reading about it in 2007. Some of us must remember them. Then there were those who, as would end that year, to take her new identity. She contemporary British Society exclusion policies. Even with the best efforts to knew of his are shocked, some are in disbelief or just want it to go time went by, sought ways to end slavery, one of the changed her name to Sojourner Truth and became an The traumatic experiences of slavery still affect the lives improve provision for excluded pupils, the continued great away. But no matter how painful it is to look at the world’s greatest evils, by working with others, both itinerant evangelist. After the Great Disappointment of those Africans whose families were enslaved, even existence of the exclusion gap means black pupils are truth, and slavery is a true story, it must not be brushed black and white. in October 1844, Truth became a member of the now. (DeGruy Leary, 2005). The way in which slave disproportionately denied mainstream education and aside; it is a reality that must be acknowledged so that Northampton Association, a utopian community led by owners tortured and dehumanised Africans has left the life chances that go with it.’ Arthur Torrington, its legacy can be addressed. The crucifixion of Christ Olaudah Equiano, or, Gustavus Vassa, the African George Benson. The Association’s reformist-minded them with psychological scars that have been passed President of The Equiano Society, believes this to be a must not be forgotten, as painful as it is to reflect on Olaudah Equiano, 1745 – 1797, is well-known for his members (including Frederick Douglas and William down through generations in the form of low self- legacy of slavery. that terrible time. Christ rose again and thus we who contribution to the abolition of the Slave Trade. Lloyd Garrison) exposed Sojourner Truth to liberal con- esteem, fractured families, a fragmented culture, and My own research examined black parenting and believe in him are saved. Christ’s sacrifice teaches us Olaudah Equiano was born in Essaka, an Igbo cepts such as abolitionism and feminism. the absence of a vernacular language. Africans had to the issues faced by black parents living in the UK to forgive and to love one another, even those who hurt village, in 1745. His father was one of the province’s In a speech at a women’s rights convention in abandon their languages, the vestiges of their cultures (Plunkett, 2004, Raising Your Child in Two Worlds). us, so, as we reflect on the reality of slavery, we forgive. elders. When he was ten, Equiano was kidnapped and Akron, Ohio in 1851, Truth proclaimed, ‘I could work and even their names in the process of enslavement. My conclusions were that black parents, while dealing There follows a very brief synopsis of the contribu- sold to slave-traders; he was then transported to as much and eat as much as a man . . . and bear Racism was the conduit by which this was justified and with the same demands of parenting as most other tions enslaved Africans made to the abolition of the Barbados. After a two-week stay in the West Indies, the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne perpetuated. Racism now ensures that many freed parents, have the additional task of having to deal transatlantic Slave Trade. Olaudah Equiano, Sojourner Equiano was sent to the English colony of Virginia. He thirteen children, and seen ‘em most all sold off to Africans still find no place of comfort. Racism is one of with the racism that they and their child will experi- Truth and Sam Sharpe, are just three of the thousands was later purchased by Captain Henry Pascal, a British slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, the most destructive social legacies of slavery. Slavery ence, which can hamper their emotional, educational of Africans who contributed to the abolition of the Slave naval officer. Equiano saved whatever money he could, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?’ With was based on the assumption that the African races and social development. The government report above Trade. Because of racist attitudes today, their contribu- and in 1766 purchased his freedom. Then, having this statement Sojourner demanded that white feminists were inferior to whites. This view was passed on confirms that black children experience racism at tions are not as readily acknowledged as those of moved to England, he worked closely with Granville broaden their vision to include the suffering and through the norms, values and culture of each society school; a legacy of slavery. Wilberforce and Clarkson. I will also give a brief account Sharp and Thomas Clarkson in the Society for the strength of black, enslaved and poor women in the and its educational institutions. This created serious Another legacy of slavery is that it causes sep - of the social and psychological legacy of slavery. Sadly, Abolition of the Slave Trade. In a letter written by category of woman and in the fight for equal rights. social and psychological problems for all peoples of aration between black and white peoples to continue there are many other forms of slavery, but my focus is Equiano to Gordon Turnbull, who in 1788 had published In 1865, following the Civil War, slavery was finally African heritage; as they are often stereotyped as less to exist. There is still a need for us to come together on the European enslavement of Africans, as this year his book on slavery entitled Apology for Negro Slavery, abolished in United States territories. intelligent, lazy, savage and incapable of governing and address these issues so that we can fulfil the law marks the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Equiano, made this statement and asked this question: themselves. The Race Relations Act, which outlawed of God; ‘Love thy neighbour as thyself.’ Trade in British-owned territories in 1807. That Act, in ‘To kidnap our fellow creatures, however they may Sam Sharpe- Samuel ‘Sam’ Sharpe was an African overt discrimination on the grounds of race, is evidence To remember the injustices of slavery is to turn, heralded the Abolition of Slavery in British differ in complexion, to degrade them into beasts who had been enslaved of the reality of racism and the need to curb it. What we acknowledge those who lost their lives and support territories in 1833. of burthen, to deny them every right but those, and Sam Sharpe taught himself to read and write and, have now is covert racism, which is hard to prove, but those for whom the sacrifices of others have brought scarcely those we allow to a horse, to keep them in because of his education, he became highly respected causes just as much damage to the lives of black peo- freedom that is yet to be grasped.

11 Messenger THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN ABOLITION Adventists against Slavery by Sharon Platt-McDonald by Anne Pilmoor

omen of integrity and emotion- slaves in the British colonies, rather imposed a period of ‘apprenticeship’ on Sarah Remond was the first African- optimism when our cynical voices convince us that al strength were at the grass than the gradual abolition suggested by slaves that concluded in 1838. On behalf American woman to address mass ‘Twenty-seven million people are still in we have little influence to end this 5,000 year-old roots movement against establishment figures. Women’s soci- of the apprentices, a national women’s mixed audiences. She became very slavery,’ says Anne Pilmoor. ‘Rather more, practice? Our cynicism subsides when we recall the Wslavery. Although they them- eties took up the call all over England. In petition was organised and addressed to popular through her lectures and even that in Wilberforce’s time.’ gospel accounts of Jesus affirming the dispos- selves lacked even the right to vote at 1830, the Anti-Slavery Society, as a Queen Victoria. The petition bore writings covering both anti-slavery and sessed, the exploited and the hopeless. We see that time, they played a vital role in direct result, abandoned the notion of 700,000 signatures of women, which women’s rights. She wrote: ‘I have been how he reaches them with a tenderness they have the campaign to abolish slavery using gradual abolition. was described as ‘unprecedented in the received here as the sister of the white bly child soldier slavery. Most of the victims are never known, bestowing on each the value of his techniques which, a century later, were The women of the Birmingham annals of petitioning.’ woman.’ effective in the struggle for women’s society adopted an original Wedgwood Women joined the British and Foreign female and a large percentage is girls, making own priceless life, the dignity that only he can give. suffrage. cameo image as their campaign logo. It Anti-Slavery Society (BFASS) to fight Emmeline Pankhurst’s tireless involve- modern-day slavery more gender based. It is in this divine, compassionate image of deliver- featured a kneeling female slave and slavery throughout the world and attend- ment in women’s suffrage was the result While the following chilling statistics help us to ance we find and root our passion for the enslaved. Hannah More (1745-1833) is one was captioned ‘Am I not a Woman and a ed the first World Anti-Slavery of her being raised in a family which appreciate the scale of the problem, they fail to In our context, it means speaking and acting deserving honour for supporting the Sister’. Convention held in London in 1840. campaigned for the emancipation of provide the miserable, dehumanising detail of against gang and gun culture; against the sex movement for the abolition of the British With the strengths of growing By the 1850s, there were more slaves. She was influenced by the every account: trade that insidiously infuses so many areas of life; transatlantic slave trade. As a social campaigns and the growth of women’s women’s anti-slavery societies than involvement of fellow abolitionist cam- • There are 27 million slaves world-wide.1 against corporate globalisation that entraps mil- political voice, the reformed parliament men’s. American women were invited by paigners in the US women’s rights reformer, her practical achievements and Blessing Okoko tells Newbold students about slavery in the • 600,000 people are trafficked across borders lions in poverty and unfair trade. While govern- the moral influence she exerted through passed the act to end slavery in the women’s societies to lecture in Britain. movement. chocolate industry of present day Africa. each year.2 ments pass laws to deal with and control the her writings were exceptional. British colonies in 1833. Several African-American women, It’s interesting to note that sugar Jeremy Cedenio/Helen Pearson • 250 million children (5 – 14 year-olds) are problem, they will achieve nothing more in a world In 1787 Hannah More first met the The act became law in 1834 and including former slaves, also lectured. grown on plantations was dependent on currently working as child labourers, half of increasingly bereft of Christian values. It is only 28-year-old MP for Hull, William the labour of enslaved people and thus a received an email from my son recently telling these are in full-time work, and 179 million when hearts and minds of slave-lords and slaves Wilberforce. Sharing commitment to product of slavery. Yet with the stance of Rt. Hon. Baroness Amos of Brondesbury me that he would be monitoring projects in four are in hazardous jobs.2 & 3 evangelical Christianity and an abhor- strong women objecting about the condi- are touched by the Divine Hand, when they come to rence of the slave trade, they estab- on the Ghana Slave Castles tions of the plantations, they appealed to different regions in Sudan. He named the places • 300,000 children have been forced to serve as know the true value of a human being, that the 4 lished a firm friendship. They had a both working- and middle-class families, Iand then wrote, ‘I’m not going to go into detail child soldiers in more than 30 conflicts. struggle will end. crucial role in giving the cause of aboli- Valerie Amos, leader of the encouraging them instead to buy sugar (a) for the sake of my own sanity, and (b) because Here are a few suggestions of ways we might tion an urgent and public voice together House of Lords, is classified as produced in the East Indies using free you will only fear the worst.’ In the UK alone: contribute to the twenty-first century abolitionist with other key abolitionists, including Britain’s most powerful black labour. This proved effective, and more My maternal sensibilities on high alert, I was • At least 5,000 children are currently being movement: 5

Thomas Clarkson, James Ramsay and RayTang/RexFeatures woman. She recounts her experi- than 300,000 people signed petitions grateful for his one oversight in mentioning the forced to work as sex slaves. • Admit that there is a problem here in the UK Sir Charles Middleton. ence of visiting slave forts in and joined this boycott of sugar grown names of the towns; Google could certainly be • Over 4,000 trafficked women are working as and worldwide. Using her writing skills, Hannah Ghana to commemorate the end on plantations using slave labour. trusted to find everything I wanted to know! The prostitutes.6 • Support the various organisations that focus on publicised the campaign with ‘Slavery, a of a trafficking in humans that These petitions, spanning several short search, however, threw up unexpected, horri- • 10,000 gang masters are working across programmes in countries supplying slaves, e.g. Poem’ (1788), which dramatically still impacts the world today. She feet, can be seen in the British fying accounts of twenty-first century slavery. There various industrial sectors.5 education programmes that warn potential depicted the predicament of an enslaved states: Parliament’s archives today – a testa- were examples of girls as young as five being • Since the 2004 Asylum and Immigration Act, victims and support economic alternatives. woman, ill-used and separated from ment to the strength of these ordinary ‘I saw the places where abducted to work in the homes and fields of their there has not been a single prosecution brought (ADRA runs many programmes of this type.) her children. This theme was repeatedly women campaigning and lobbying for 7 emphasised by women campaigners slaves were kept before being change. captors; of fathers going on desperate journeys in for trafficking for labour exploitation. • Call national hotlines when we see suspicious and also used as part of Wilberforce’s shackled onto slave ships. Many Today, as we acknowledge a very search of their missing children, only to become activity. parliamentary campaign to achieve were marched hundreds of shameful part of our British history, we victims of the same fate; of slaves, now frail and Information of this type leaves us feeling • Choose not to travel to tourist destinations abolition. Even though her efforts miles across the African conti- are also mindful of the legacy of slavery, ‘no longer fit for purpose’, being sold at the cattle uncomfortable. It compels us to ask, ‘What are we where governments are not taking the problem met with fierce opposition, she was nent in chains. They’d arrive at demonstrable in the racism, the preju- market or hung in trees to die. In reality, although going to do?’ ‘Can we do anything?’ ‘Can our efforts seriously. determined to succeed. the “slave castles” on the dice and the discrimination that exist slavery is not legal, it flourishes; the odds are that ever make a difference?’ ‘What is our Christian • Encourage local churches to help victims Ghanaian coast, where they world wide. We are reminded of the real- there are more slaves today than there were in duty?’ ‘Where do we start in this huge mess?’ around the world. Lady Margaret Middleton, like More, were kept in filthy, disgusting, inhumane conditions. I was shown ity of modern-day slavery which still Wilberforce’s day! The real shame is that more I recently read about a young teenager, Zach • Encourage our MPs to pass appropriate, was a member of a group of evangelicals one cell where the excrement would have come up to between your impacts women and children today people are not aware of it. Hunter who, at the age of twelve, asked similar enforceable laws and to keep monitoring high associated with the abolitionist cam- ankle and your knee. They couldn’t lie down. The slaves were kept through forced domestic slavery and Contemporary forms of slavery include prac- questions. It was during ‘Black History Month’ that on the agenda. paign. Although she had no direct politi- child labour. there for up to three months, then chained on slave ships. If they tices of forced labour, debt bondage, child labour he learned about the great campaigners such as • Encourage the news media to report on the cal power, Middleton was able to cajole God still uses women of strength and and forced prostitution. Human trafficking, a rapidly Wilberforce and Harriet Tubman and the grim truth struggle. her influential friends. She is credited died on the passage, they were simply thrown into the sea. We don’t stature today to bring hope and value to growing problem, may conjure images of smuggling, of the 27 million people still in slavery. His study with encouraging both the group’s lead- like to talk about these things. We’re embarrassed. We don’t like to lives. We see it in the prominence of the • Commit, as far as possible, to buying goods ers, Thomas Clarkson and William admit that people could treat each other in such an inhuman way. matriarchal families worldwide in house- but it is far worse. Victims are coerced or deceived stirred him deeply, leading him to start the cam- endorsed by Fairtrade and Ethical-trade. Wilberforce, to take up the cause in the Every time I visit those slave castles, I feel the weight of that holds where fathers are absent or deny into agreeing to their relocation. They are denied paign ‘Loose Change to loosen Chains’. With the You can find more on their websites: abolition of slavery. She also provided history. . .’ their responsibilities. We see women’s their basic human rights and are forced into help of friends, he collected £6,000 to fight slavery, www.fairtrade.org.uk and the setting at her home at Teston, Kent, strength of leadership and determination exploitation by the trafficker, most commonly in the making him our youngest modern-day abolitionist. www.ethicaltrade.org.uk for all the key meetings of the anti- that the suffering of their foreparents will sex trade but also in sweatshops, construction Be the Change, his first book, released in March slavery committee. not be the portion of their offspring for sites and commercial farming. In truth, human 2007, is the only book written by a teenager for 1UN Publication, Issue 3/0305. 2Set All Free statistics. The 1807 Act ended Britain’s generations to come. We see it in the trafficking is modern-day slavery. Easy movement teenagers ever to be published by Zondervan. 3Statistical Information and Monitoring Programme on involvement in the slave trade but self-sacrificing of their own needs for Child Labour. 4CS Monitor. 5Joseph Rowntree Foundation Report: across borders has made it possible for modern- Zach believes that his youth is his greatest 6 7 did not emancipate those enslaved in the comfort, security and progression of Modern Slavery in the UK. Home Office Figures. Sir Menzies day slavery to reach into every continent. In afflu- asset. ‘I think as you get older, you become more Campbell, Address in Birmingham: We must tackle Modern Day British territories overseas. Women their families in order to cushion them ent countries, trafficked women and children from familiar with reality, it doesn’t seem realistic that Slavery. 8Religion Bookline, 21 Feb 2007. were conspicuous in their support for from undue suffering and pain and Mexico, countries in the former Communist Block, you can abolish slavery. That’s why this movement the Anti-Slavery Society founded in propel them into a future of hope. We and Thailand feed the sex trade. In the Near East, had to be student-led, because adults, as nice as 1823 that succeeded in bringing about experience it through the emergence of the largest category of slavery is domestic servi- they are, can sometimes be wet blankets. But emancipation in 1833. successful and positive individuals from ‘Students are resource-poor and have pas- homes where vision and bright dreams tude fed by thousands of women from South Asia. since students are resource-poor and have pas- Elizabeth Heyrick, a Leicester Quaker, replaced the nightmare of past hurts and On the Indian subcontinent, the largest category is sion, and adults are passion-poor and have a lot sion. Adults are passion-poor and have lots published a document: ‘Immediate, Not torture to embrace a future where the bonded labour slavery of the lowest castes in rice of resources, together we can be a deadly of resources. Together we can be a powerful Gradual Abolition’, in 1824 which pro- best is within their grasp and not in the mills, carpet factories and brick kilns. In parts of combination.’8 combination.’ posed the immediate emancipation of Elmina slave castle, Ghana. David Lay hands of another. Africa and Sri Lanka, the largest category is proba- Just how do we capture that same passion and

12 Messenger 13 Messenger SipaPress/RexFeatures dogged opposition and campaigning early and forced marriage, slavery by eventually brought about the class or caste, trafficking and child Slavery Narratives Celebrated in Wales Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. labour, are still practised throughout by John Surridge, president, Welsh Mission Illustrated musically through blues, the world. In their closing prayers, by Catherine Anthony Boldeau jazz and gospel, and verbally through Rev. Aled Edwards, General Secretary n Sunday evening 25 March of abuse and prostitution on the poetry and prose, the Abolition of the of Cytun, and deacon J. C. Earle of s a young child, I was fascinat- songs of Zion!” How can we sing the sixteen representatives of the streets of a western city. ‘Amazing Slave Trade Act marked a major the Bethel Apostolic Church, asked ed with art, music and poetry. songs of the Lord while in a foreign OSeventh-day Adventist Church Grace’ was performed several times turning point in the world’s history. for forgiveness for the evils of slav- AThe ability lovingly to create land?’ (vv. 1-4, NIV.) in Wales were among the guests at in different ways and extracts from However, the programme went on ery in the past and the present, and ‘something out of nothing’ still fasci- The imagery used in this piece is St David’s Hall in Cardiff to com- the film of the same name, starring to point out that while the Slave for God’s grace and power to be nates me. As a teenager, my tastes moving. We see a sorrowful people, memorate the bicentenary of the Welsh actor Ioan Gruffydd as William Trade may have been officially abol- shown in the world today through in art, music and poetry changed and crying and weeping, who are then lit- Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. Wilberforce, were shown on a big ished, it is still very much alive the eradication of slavery in all its I began to appreciate the strong ‘nar- erally forced to sing ‘songs of joy’. ‘Valuing Freedom’ was the Wales screen. today. Bonded and forced labour, forms. rative voice’ that is evident in these One cannot help being moved by national event to mark this historic Wales’ role in the slave trade was disciplines. Emancipation narratives their predicament. Slave picking cotton, Florida, America act which made it illegal to trade highlighted by a number of speakers have been around since the time of Such is the tone of the piece, AllStar slaves throughout the British Empire who pointed out that much of the the Biblical Exodus, when Miriam Ain’t I a Woman by Sojourner Truth. and banned British ships from industrial revolution in Wales was Amazing Grace – and Moses sang, ‘I will sing to the Sojourner Truth was originally chris- involvement in the trade. financed by slave trafficking. In turn, Lord, for he is highly exalted, the tened Isabella Baumfree in 1797 and Guests at the event included Welsh industry helped to power the horse and its rider he has hurled into was one of thirteen children born to representatives from a wide cross- trade by providing raw materials for the film Review by Susanne Kirlew the sea.’ Exodus 15:1, NIV. slave parents. At the age of 9, she section of Welsh society and all were slave ships which sailed frequently For me, one of the more powerful was sold at a slave auction and suf- invited to reflect on their past and from Cardiff and Newport. ‘Amazing Grace’ is a hymn by former vested interests in British society emancipation narratives is the paint- fered terribly at the hands of a cruel unite in condemning a practice that However, there was also evidence slave trader turned Christian minis- (disproportionately represented in ing, ‘Slave Auction, Virginia’, a slave-master. Her poem seeks to is still in existence today. In a joint of Welsh opposition to the slave ter, John Newton. It is also now a the House of Lord and the House watercolour by one Lefevre James challenge the concept of woman- statement, the Right Honourable trade, including poetry from Iolo film directed by Michael Apted and of Commons) against which Cranstone who lived in my town, hood: Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister for Morganwg, founder of the Gorsedd of released in British cinemas to coin- Wilberforce had to fight and which, Hemel Hempstead. After visiting ‘That man over there says that Wales, and Rodney Berman, the Bards, who was a major anti-slavery cide with the bicentenary of the in 1807, he vanquished. America for nine months from women need to be helped into leader of Cardiff Council, said, ‘We campaigner. abolition of the slave trade in March Wilberforce is played by Welsh September 1859 to June 1860, he carriages, and lifted over ditches, join together to pledge our support to African and African-Caribbean 2007. actor Ioan Gruffudd. The film also completed his impression of a slave and to have the best place every- promoting equality, justice and digni- participation in the programme high- The film is the story of the contains memorable performances auction in 1862. Richmond, Virginia where. ty among all people to create a world lighted the lasting legacy of slavery campaign of William Wilberforce to by Albert Finey, Michael Gambon and was second only to New Orleans as Nobody ever helps me into car- where everyone, whatever their race and its continuing influence in socie- outlaw the slave trade by Act of Romola Garai. a slave trading post. In the three riages, or over mud puddles, or or background, is given an equal ty today. This was brought home Parliament which, after twenty It is a refreshing change to see decades before the American Civil gives me any best place, and chance to live free from fear of most poignantly by Diane Pennant, a years, was successful. Christians portrayed in a positive War, more than 300,000 slaves were ain’t I a woman? . . . Olaudah Equiano (Youssou N’dour) & William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), from a scene in the discrimination, prejudice and descendant of the Pennant family John Newton’s hymn ‘Amazing light. I attended the premier of the traded there. I have plowed, and planted, and film Amazing Grace racism.’ slaves. She told the story of how Grace’ became the anthem of the film in London and did not know Indeed, Cranstone was so moved gathered into barns, and no man The wide-ranging programme Richard Pennant, the first Baron Abolitionist campaign. It was written what to expect. I was surprised that by what took place in that ‘auction could head me – and ain’t I a know the composers of many of the Camp Ground.’ included: music from a Welsh choir Penrhyn, gained his fortune from by Newton following his conversion. not all the people leading the cam- house’ that he also wrote a four- woman? well-known spirituals. These songs Many people, through art, poetry and several gospel choirs; soloist slave plantations in Jamaica – a The film provides insights into paign were African or of African page letter to the local newspaper, I could work as much and eat as were handed down through the ‘oral and music, campaigned for the end Siân James who accompanied her- fortune which enabled him to build the slave trade and the massive descent. the Hemel Hempstead Gazette, much as a man (when I could get tradition’, as most slaves were of the slave trade. We often only cite self on the harp; and popular folk Penrhyn Castle and a massive slate AllStar about what he had witnessed in it), and bear the lash as well – unable to read or write. However, no those like Wilberforce who were singer Tracey Curtis whose hard- industry in North Wales. America. Although Cranstone painted and ain’t I a woman? one can deny the pathos and dra- politicians and great orators. hitting ‘Sasha’s Song’ was specially Although initially apologetic in many other scenes, ‘Slave Auction, I have borne thirteen children and matic re-enactment of the life of a However, daily as the slaves sang commissioned for the event and told nature, ‘Valuing Freedom’ also cele- Virginia’ is his most famous and is seen most all sold off to slavery slave that a well-sung spiritual their ‘spirituals’, they championed the story of a young girl trafficked brated the efforts of those millions of housed in the Virginia Historical and when I cried out with my evokes. And no-one can deny the freedom’s cause. Those like from a quiet country village to a life people, slave and free, whose Museum. mother’s grief, none but Jesus longing for emancipation in these Sojourner Truth, black women with Poetry is another medium for heard me – and ain’t I woman?’ lyrical narratives. fire in their blood, expressed their political expression in terms of Negro spirituals are described as The spiritual that always moves views of emancipation by poetic emancipation. Many of the psalms ‘The true musical expression in song me to tears is ‘Deep River’. The song comparison. Still others, like the talk about freedom from oppression, of the enslaved African assuaging speaks of the pain and suffering of privileged Lefevre James Cranston none more than Psalm 137: ‘By the the sorrows of the horrific situation the earthly life and the longing for a were able to document visually their rivers of Babylon we sat and wept he endured in his every day exis- heavenly home ‘where all is peace’. narrative for posterity. when we remembered Zion. There on tence.’ Not all negro spirituals are Deep River, The use of art, poetry and music, the poplars we hung our harps, for easily understood as it is suggested My home is over Jordan, thought so trivial by many, I believe there our captors asked us for songs, that many of them contain secret Deep River, greatly assisted in the fight to make From a scene in the film Amazing Grace, William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), presents a petition our tormentors demanded songs of codes and languages relevant only to Lord, I want to cross over into slavery a thing of the past. to the members of Parliament. joy; they said, “Sing us one of the the slave community. We do not North England Conference Teaching Vacancies: Stanborough School From left to right: Dr Theophilus Gokah (an elder in the Cardiff church), Pastor John Surridge Community Services Rally Day Aberdaron Advent Campsite Mathematics teacher As a result of the introduction of the International Baccalaureate we require a full-time (Welsh Mission president), Pastor George Asiamah (overseeing the SWAAF project), and Mr Sabbath 12 May Housekeeper Required Kwao Tetteh Abbequaye (a member of the BUC Executive Committee). Part-time Mathematics teacher to teach from Key Stage 3-5 (1.B). Harper Bell School, Birmingham Art teacher Duties include cleaning, laundry work and occasional meal preparation. Due to the retirement of the present teacher, Stanborough School requires an Art teacher Guest speaker: Grounds Manager needed for Newbold College Pastor C. Murphy, BUC Community Services sponsor The ideal candidate should be willing to work flexible hours. (part time 0.7 at present with the possibility of full-time work). Newbold College is seeking to appoint a Grounds Manager to Salary in line with North England Conference denomination pay scale. The teacher will teach Key Stage 3 & 4 and possibly Key Stage 5 (1.B). A full day’s programme starting at 10am Applicants should hold a degree in the subject, a teaching qualification and experience. commence 1 July. For further details and job description see the For a fuller job description and hours required to work, please contact Newbold website, www.newbold.ac.uk. Deadline for applications is 11 May. All welcome Les Simpson on 01758 760281 or email [email protected]. Salary as per denominational scale. Applications should be sent to Judy McKie, PA to Head Teacher, or emailed to [email protected] by 14 May. Contact: Berit Lisle, Bursar, email: [email protected], Contact Pastor C. Sweeney Closing date for applications: 11 May. Stanborough Secondary School, Watford, WD25 9JT; Tel: 01923 673268; Website: www.spsch.org. phone: 01344 407403, Fax: 01344 407406. 0115 9606312 or [email protected]

14 Messenger 15 Messenger Freedom Day at Newbold by Helen Pearson Newbold joined the rest of the UK in that being ‘too nice’ can encourage marking the Bicentenary of the injustice. ‘Being good but doing Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. nothing is not enough,’ he said. A On Tuesday 27 March, a day-long present-day story from contemporary celebration at the College included a Mali, ‘Chunga and the Chocolate Freedom Day Service and drop-in Factory’, exposed the evil of child sessions featuring exhibits of trafficking in the chocolate farms aspects of slavery past, present and used by major chocolate companies. future. In the evening, a programme The storyteller, Blessing Okoko, a of conversation offered poetry and Nigerian Theology student, encour- reflections of people from around the aged the members of the audience to world about their concepts of free- buy Fairtrade chocolate which does dom, together with lively discussion not use trafficked children. Musical over a plate of Caribbean food. renditions of ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘By The day looked not just backwards the Rivers of Babylon’ gave the audi- but around the contemporary world. ence further opportunity to reflect on The Freedom Day Service featured the evil of captivity and the delights contributions from staff and student of freedom. representatives from parts of the Throughout the day participants world where slavery was and is a were encouraged to make donations student at the College organised the horrible conditions everywhere from reality: Africa, the Caribbean, and to Stop the Traffik, a global coalition event. She says: ‘Newbold is a Africa to Asia and also right here in the Deep South of America. Pastor against people-trafficking. Stop the diverse community with representa- the UK.’ Gifford Rhamie prayed for the 81 Traffik key rings, Fairtrade chocolate, tives from countries around the Newbold principal, Dr David million children still in slavery and and a prize draw to win two tickets world – most of them places where Penner, said: ‘Forgetting the past remembered that ‘divine intention to the award-winning film, Amazing slavery in modern form still exists. condemns us to prolong if not to without human action has little Grace, were all on offer. The goal of the day’s events is to repeat its evils. Freedom is more effect’. Dr Daniel Schramm encour- Tabitha Cummins, co-ordinator encourage everyone to think about than getting our own way. It is some- aged staff and students to recognise of Communication and a Theology the freedom of others not as fortu- thing we must work for both for our- nate as ourselves, living today in selves and others.’

ADRA-UK Situations Vacant ABC BOOK SALES Finance officer May Gross salary: initially £30,012 (inclusive of 13 John Loughborough 10.30am-2pm London Weighting). Location – Watford, Herts. Key responsibilities include providing day to day support to ADRA-UK implementing June partners on financial management processes, 10 Camp Meeting financial compliance, and adherence to donor 17 Camp Meeting regulations and ADRA policies. Additionally, the Finance Officer will be responsible for supporting the ADRA-UK executive director Messenger and Programmes director in drafting and Volume 112 • 10 – 4 May 2007 Jeremy Cedenio/Helen Pearson revising donor financial reports, preparing ADRA-UK financial statements, planning EDITOR: D. N. MARSHALL ADRA-UK cash flow and developing project DESIGN: DAVID BELL budgets. COPY FOR No. 12 – 14 May 2007 Applicants should have the right to work in the UK prior to submission of the Copy should be sent to the Editor, MESSENGER, The employment application. Stanborough Press Limited , Alma Park, Grantham, A full application pack and application Lincolnshire, NG31 9SL. Tel: (01476) 591700. Fax No: (01476) 577144. form is available on the ADRA-UK website at Email: www.adra.org.uk. [email protected] Guest Speaker Applications deadline for this post: Send high resolution pictures to: Friday 25 May. [email protected] Adventist Review editor, Interviews for Finance officer: 30 May. ABC Sales line: (01476) 539900 Dr Roy Adams Mon-Thurs only, 8am- 6pm. Trainee Programme The Editor may alter, clarify, précis or expand Salary: stipend based. articles sent to him if he thinks it necessary. Location – Watford, Herts. Published fortnightly on Fridays by the British ADRA-UK is offering again the possibility for Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. a trainee to work for a year with our office Printed in Denmark. (starting September 2007). The ADRA-UK Visit the BUC website at:www.adventist.org.uk Music from Oasys programme will offer the trainee the opportu- ISSN 0309-3654 nity to work within a high profile development and Jennifer Phillips and relief agency in programme development. The trainee programme is designed to give Sunset Plenty of offers on food and books, individuals practical experience in different locations around the world in preparation for a Sunset times are reproduced with permission from and of course fun for the children data supplied by the Science Research Council. possible career in international development. Applicants should have the right to work Lond Card Nott Edin Belf in the UK prior to submission of the May 4 8.28 8.40 8.37 8.57 9.02 application. 11 8.39 8.52 8.49 9.11 9.15 A full application pack and application 18 8.50 9.02 9.00 9.24 9.27 form is available on the ADRA-UK website at 25 9.00 9.12 9.11 9.36 9.39 www.adra.org.uk. MESSENGER SUBSCRIPTIONS Applications deadline for this post: Cost to member supplied in bulk to churches £6. Friday 25 May. Single copy subscription by post £13. Interviews for Trainee programme: Overseas airmail £27.50 30 May.

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