These words framed the attitude found among the members of The Clapham Sect, a group of prominent and courageous individuals in London who banded together to change their world in the early 1800s. Centered around William Wilberforce, their greatest success culminated in the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.
They were not a single issue group, however, as they worked to reform schools and serve the poor. They started and joined in on evangelism efforts and missionary societies. They spread the scriptures and Christian writings. They looked at their society, saw needs to address and used their influence and fortunes to make a lasting difference.
Their success was profound and lasting. How about you and I? Where can we join in to help “cause evil to die” in our world today?
The poem, Ozymandias, always makes me pause and think. I’ve been considering its message during this political season. All around us we hear self-congratulating calls of greatness. Not much humility. But, humility will come with time, as all find to be true. Here’s the poem, written by Percy Shelley and published in 1818:
