The Clapham Sect
How Wilberforce’s Circle Transformed Britain
by Stephen Tomkins
GoodBookStall Review:
The author begins by asserting that the ‘Clapham Sect’ never existed, was not a sect and that few of its members came from Clapham – the name was coined when a newspaper editor misremembered the derogatory remark of a cynic! However the label stuck and that is how the late 18th century collection of lifelong friends became known, as they collaborated in doing God’s work of evangelism and improvement of the quality of life for all. The best known of them is, of course, Wilberforce, but he was surrounded by other fascinating characters who also strove to make a difference. This book tells their stories and describes their works, home and abroad, great and small. It is not a hagiography and does not shrink from including some attitudes and actions that the modern reader may find difficult, but balances this with acceptance that the Victorian social and moral climate was much different to what we have today. Above all these were people of God, openly and unashamedly living for Him – as rare and unpopular a phenomenon then as it is today – and this account provides them with the recognition they deserve and modern Christians with an example to ponder.
Reviewer: Diane Morrison (06/09/10)
The author begins by asserting that the ‘Clapham Sect’ never existed, was not a sect and that few of its members came from Clapham – the name was coined when a newspaper editor misremembered the derogatory remark of a cynic! However the label stuck and that is how the late 18th century collection of lifelong friends became known, as they collaborated in doing God’s work of evangelism and improvement of the quality of life for all. The best known of them is, of course, Wilberforce, but he was surrounded by other fascinating characters who also strove to make a difference. This book tells their stories and describes their works, home and abroad, great and small. It is not a hagiography and does not shrink from including some attitudes and actions that the modern reader may find difficult, but balances this with acceptance that the Victorian social and moral climate was much different to what we have today. Above all these were people of God, openly and unashamedly living for Him – as rare and unpopular a phenomenon then as it is today – and this account provides them with the recognition they deserve and modern Christians with an example to ponder.
Reviewer: Diane Morrison (06/09/10)
