Monday night in London’s Westminster Abbey, Atlanta’s St. Philip’s Episcopal Cathedral will help celebrate one of the landmark events in history: 200 years ago, or nearly six decades before the United States settled the Civil War and ended slavery, the British Parliament voted to outlaw human bondage.
For the Britons, it was the culmination of a contentious debate, as much about human rights and justice as about the economics of empire. One member of Parliament, William Wilberforce, spoke with a moral authority that would be accepted as fact only by future generations.
The oracular thunder by Wilberforce, backed by an influential band of allies, made the abolition of slavery seem inevitable ”” a history depicted in the recent film “Amazing Grace.”
Atlanta, too, knows something about how the struggle for basic civil rights can be achieved by many people but galvanized by one man.
So it seems fitting that the choir from St. Philip’s will help celebrate the 200th anniversary of Wilberforce and the British act ending slavery.
How wonderful! The music at St. Philip’s is among the finest to be found in America.
Mark, it is a shame that the same cannot be said about the preaching.
RSB
Perhaps, but I’ve never been one who places the emphasis of my weekly worship on the preaching. Transformational experiences in my own life have often come from the worship experience as a whole – not relying singly on the preacher and his/her message. The readings, the music, the prayers, the silence, the Eucharist – that’s what makes it for me. I fully recognize that not all will agree with this — that’s just me. Let the villification now begin!
When David Collins was dean St. Phillips was known for its choral program and preaching. Michael Yousseff who is now rector of an Anglican megachurch in Atlanta was an honorary canon at the Cathedral, I believe.