Introduction
William Wilberforce, Britain’s leading anti-slavery campaigner, was accused of ‘fanaticism’ for his refusal to accept the prevailing customs of the day. But as he warned Parliament, such jibes only made him more determined to fight on.
THIS work of humanity [said Mr Wilberforce] would at last make its way into the heads and hearts, the understandings and the feelings, of the whole mass of the nation, and would triumph over all opposition. The opposition that had been already overcome afforded him a complete pledge of final success, and rendered him regardless of those things that were uttered and published against him.
He had been charged with methodism and fanaticism.* If to profess humanity to our fellow creatures, and to endeavour with zeal to carry into execution whatever measures lay in his power for promoting their welfare, were the definition of fanaticism, he was afraid that he was a most incorrigible fanatic.
He expected the accomplishment of his object through the fanaticism of the people of England. He trusted to the religion of the people of England, to their humane and Christian feelings, for support in his endeavours; and through their support, for final success in a cause which involved both humanity and religion.
‘Methodist’ was an opprobrious term for members of the Church of England who during the 18th century adopted regular hours of prayer, visited the sick and prisoners, and otherwise tried to put the principles of Apostolic life into practice. The most famous methodists, brothers John and Charles Wesley, like Wilberforce himself, never abandoned the Church of England, though a breakaway Methodist Church did subsequently come into existence.
Précis
Lifelong anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce faced a constant barrage of criticism and name-calling. In a speech to the Commons, he picked up on the slur of ‘fanaticism’, welcoming the charge if it meant unwavering commitment to a noble cause, and added that he believed that in that sense the public were ‘fanatics’ too, and would ultimately triumph. (57 / 60 words)
Lifelong anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce faced a constant barrage of criticism and name-calling. In a speech to the Commons, he picked up on the slur of ‘fanaticism’, welcoming the charge if it meant unwavering commitment to a noble cause, and added that he believed that in that sense the public were ‘fanatics’ too, and would ultimately triumph.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, because, besides, despite, just, may, ought, since.
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Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Already. Heart. Success.
2 Expect. Its. Mass.
3 Carry. Nation. Welfare.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
