Congratulations! You survived the very first day of Lent Madness 2019. Which is more than we can say for Mary of Bethany, who was bounced by her sister Martha 58% to 42%. Martha becomes our first saint to qualify for the Saintly Sixteen, where she'll face the winner of James the Greater vs. Nicodemus.
You should also congratulate yourself for having participated in a record setting day in the annals of Lent Madness history. Yesterday's sibling matchup received nearly 10,500 votes, with over 500 comments, and more page views than we've ever had on a single day (almost 39,000, for those keeping score at home). And, despite a few shaky moments, you didn't crash the server!
Today, in saintly action it's William Wilberforce, the 18th century English abolitionist and reformer, squaring off against Agatha Lin Zhao, Chinese Christian and educator.
Don't forget that tomorrow is the ONLY SATURDAY MATCHUP of Lent Madness 2019. After Ignatius of Loyola faces Tikhon of Zadonsk, voting will strictly take place on the weekdays of Lent, giving everyone a needed breather from the intensity of everyone's favorite online Lenten devotion.
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce was an English politician who underwent a dramatic conversion experience and spent his life trying to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire.
Born in Yorkshire in 1759, he lived with his aunt and uncle for a number of years, who influenced him with their love of Methodism. However, during his years at St. John’s College in Cambridge, their religious influence waned, and he was known as a man about town, fond of “theater-going, attending balls, and playing cards.” The horror.
He decided to run for Parliament when still a student, based on the solid premise that his friend was also doing it and it seemed like fun. Wilberforce turned out to be good at politics, being persuasive and gifted with a great speaking voice, but his persistent disorganization and proclivity for lateness meant he wasn’t much of a powerhouse.
In 1785, Wilberforce had a conversion experience, and after a period of discernment, he decided to use his public position to spread Christian ideals and ethics. He began meeting with several other high-profile politicians in England who were concerned about the moral depravity of the slave trade. At the time, the so-called Triangle Trade contributed about 80 percent of British income that derived from trade. The group, which included William Pitt, Thomas Clarkson, and others, became known as the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
The group launched an intense and long-lasting campaign, with logo, pamphlets, and chapters that sprang up across the United Kingdom—effectively the first grassroots human rights campaign in history. Wilberforce’s group networked with abolitionists in France, Spain, Portugal, and the United States and brought together Quakers and Anglicans on the same cause for the first time.
Finally, after a long and difficult fight, Wilberforce and his society succeeded in banning the slave trade in the United Kingdom in 1807. Wilberforce continued lobbying and working for a total abolition of slavery. He received word that a total abolition law would be enacted three days before his death in 1833.
Collect for William Wilberforce
O Lord, reassure me with your quickening Spirit; without you I can do nothing. Mortify in me all ambition, vanity, vainglory, worldliness, pride, selfishness, and resistance from God, and fill me with love, peace and all the fruits of the Spirit. O Lord, I know not what I am, but to you I flee for refuge. I would surrender myself to you, trusting your precious promises and against hope believing in hope. Amen.
(-Attributed to Wilberforce)
Agatha Lin Zhao
Agatha Lin Zhao devoted her life to educating others about traditional Chinese culture, the world, and her faith. Ultimately, that commitment to education cost her life.
Early on, two conflicting commitments were made in Agatha’s life. Her parents had committed Agatha to be married to a young man whom they thought would help secure their family’s future. Meanwhile, Agatha had committed herself to serving God and the church.
Agatha’s parents were no strangers to the sacrifices of faith. Themselves Christians, Agatha’s father was in prison for refusing to renounce his faith when his daughter was born in 1817. When they found out about her commitment to God, her parents released Agatha from the betrothal. In the following years, Agatha pursued her education under her religious tutors, coming home at intervals to care for her parents.
At twenty-five, Agatha Lin Zhao took religious vows and was sent out as a missionary and educator. She proceeded to the frontier of Southern China, weaving together traditional Chinese culture and Christian faith as she taught in the local villages of the Hmong, Hmub, and Xong people (collectively known as the Miao by the Chinese).
Agatha did not see the Chinese culture of her childhood in conflict with her faith, but the Chinese authorities disagreed. Refusing to renounce her Christian faith, she was arrested and beheaded on January 28, 1858.
The work and sacrifice of Agatha Lin Zhoa was recognized as a martyr saint of China canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. She is remembered on February 19 alongside Anges Tsao Kou Ying and Lucy Yi Zhenmei.
Collect for Agatha Lin Zhao
Lord Jesus Christ, who willingly walked the way of the cross: Strengthen your church through the witness of your servant Agatha Lin Zhao to hold fast to the path of discipleship even unto death; for with the Father and Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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234 comments on “William Wilberforce vs. Agatha Lin Zhao”
The manga treatment of Agatha Zhao in her portrait is pretty (though alas it makes her look western and white). Plus she joins an illustrious line of headless saints, St Denis being primary among them. Still, I have to go with an abolitionist. In the 18th century, "playing cards" meant gambling. Wilberforce was quite the dissolute young lout. I'm captivated by his conversion experience. I suspect he reverted to the Methodism that he had been raised in. How can one resist a doctrine of "prevenient grace"? There is probably no more important movement in modern times than the effort to end slavery and to extirpate the heritage of white supremacy from our societies. The only rival would be the movement to confront and end man-made climate change. That Wilberforce was at the fore of human rights movements and our contemporary method of networking (Quakers and Anglicans together for the win!) is huge. May the Force be with Wilberforce.
http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/our-wesleyan-heritage
While Agatha gave her all and despite it being International Women's Day, I had to vote for William Wilberforce and his work in abolishing Slavery. At least I tried. It's been saying loading for at least 5 minutes so I don't know if my vote went through or not.
Loved both the song and the limerick. Very talented.
Just a little sad that the Supreme Executive Committee didn't flip the first two contests so that everyone could have voted for a woman on International Women's Day.
Vote for Agatha Lin Zhao!!!
The page said I had already voted. I had not. Something ha disenfranchised me. What do I do?
Vote on another device. See if that works!
Hi! First year to Lent Madness. I’m out of town and thank goodness I took a quick picture of my bracket, because I thought I had voted for Agatha. This was a tough call. William and his peers helped free millions and influence other nations to end slavery.
I pray Agatha’s martyr and testimony gives faith to billions!
Both worthy. Wilberforce is a hero of mine so I voted for him, but if St. Agatha came close for me.
Admire both very much. However, my grandparents were also missionaries to the Miao for a time, so had to vote for Agatha!
It is obvious from the snippets of Agatha and William's lives who gave till it hurt for their faith. Agatha gave up a comfortable existence for a very uncomfortable stand against the powers that be, while William finally got his act together. Besides, it is International Women's Day! Come on ladies!
In addition to his tireless work to abolish slavery, Wilberforce was also one of the founders of the RSPCA, the world’s first animal welfare charity. So, my vote had to go to Wilberforce.
Well going in another way allowed me to vote. I am glad. Disregard previous post.
Have been an ardent fan of William Wilberforce ever since I first heard of him many years ago. Just met Agatha Lin Zhao today and must vote for her today for her incredible dedication and commitment even unto death.
A-ga-tha Su-per-star!!
A real toughie. While I respect that Agatha made the ultimate earthly sacrifice in her devotion, William's work lived on after him and affected the lives of millions, so I had to go with him this time.
You may wish to correct Zhoa to Zhao in the second biography.
Thanks! Mental typo! Thought I had it right, a-o
Sally
I vote for women every chance I get. Sorry... not sorry.
As far as I can determine
William didn’t sacrafice much for
What he did
I don’t think he was ostracized
Or lost any of his wealth
And live till 74
His reform was noble but it I don’t
Feel he had to give up much
On the other hand Agatha tried to bring
The Chinese culture and christian beliefs
Together and lost her head for it
I voted for her because I think it’s easier
To fight for a cause from a soft arm chair
Then to defend your beliefs in the face
Of a man with an AXE
Against hope, believing in hope. The comments for Agatha might have swayed me, but Wilbur’s collect says it for me - what it takes to take on the Empire for forty five years.
...and Anges to Agnes.
Hard choice today!! I do love a good beheading, but I’m a longtime admirer of William Wilberforce. He gets my vote.
Hahahaha!
WW took on the Love for all of God’s children by ending the slave trade. Let’s face it, oh how the the New World’s slave history would have taken on a different story if it to had a WW. My vote is for W. Wilberforce who was for love for all of God’s children.
Voted for William Wilberforce, also under the influence of the movie Amazing Grace (though in his portrait here he's not as dreamy as Ioan Gruffydd...). More seriously, he did such important work ending the slave trade in England and by extension here in the United States.
It's International Women's Day. How could I vote for anyone other than this inspiring woman!
Currently reading Thomas Merton’s “Mystics and Zen Masters” where he describes the Jesuit missionaries and their respect for the spiritual life of China and it’s people. So Agatha gets my vote.
I was going to vote for Wilberforce, but I think I'll work to smash my own bracket by voting for Agatha. Her outfit is gorgeous, and that look in her eyes! She must be about to glow because she looks like she's seeing God!
I have Ignatius winning but will see!
The movie was my introduction to Wilberforce, and it was very well done. I particularly remember the scene near the beginning where Wilberforce stops a fellow from beating his exhausted horse, and another later with MPs on a visit to the harbour where a slave ship is in dock. Yes, Zhao's work and martyrdom pull at me, but Wilberforce's effect on innocent Africans outranks today.
Agatha was exemplary in her unwavering devotion but my vote goes to William Wilberforce. His human imperfections show how Gods redeeming grace uses unlikely and imperfect people to do the work He would have us do. There’s hope for me too! Abolishing the British slave trade was a huge achievement for human rights.
Gotta go with Agatha today in honor of International Women’s Day!
From Williams Wikipedia page: His underlying conservatism led him to support politically and socially controversial legislation, and resulted in criticism that he was ignoring injustices at home while campaigning for the enslaved abroad.
That's enough for me to not want to vote for him.
Also, Agatha was my favorite discovery on the bracket this year and the saint I most want to learn more about. I'd rather spend time learning about a young Chinese woman than an old white man. If she goes today, an entire half of my bracket is already trashed!
What a great pairing that really made me think about William & Agatha's relationship to Christ devoting their lives to going against cultural norms as an act of faith. The best part of the 'madness,' considering my own discipleship as I learn about the saints -- a 'mad' and brilliant plan!
My first inclination was Wilberforce, his work undeniably changed humanity! Then, I thought about William's privilege, simply being a man with the power to effect change (sorry guys!). Agatha, being a woman, let alone a Christian woman in Chinese culture, now that's faith, hope and love on a saintly level! Agatha gets my vote!
I agree with you on that. And she paid with her life.