The Four-Way Test

As I was thinking about The Four Way Test and its questions (Is it the truth?, Is it fair for all concerned?, Will it build goodwill and better friendships?, and Is it beneficial for all?), the person I thought of was William Wilberforce. He lived during the 1700s and early 1800s in England. His main focuses were the abolition of the slave trade, and of course, God.

First of all, is it the truth? Before Wilberforce began his fight against the slave trade, he wanted to make sure that he knew the whole truth about slavery. He met with all different kinds of people involved with the slave trade, asking them questions and learning the truth about how horrible slavery was.

Second, is it fair to all concerned? Abolishing the slave trade would definitely be fair to all concerned. Everyone would be treated equally and no one would be treated even worse than animals because of the way they looked.

Third, will it build goodwill and better friendships? William Wilberforce knew that the English and African slaves didn’t need to be enemies. The slaves worked very hard for the English and deserved to be treated with the same respect.

Finally, is it beneficial for all? Yes, ending the slave trade would make the world a better place, and much more fair.

In conclusion, William Wilberforce ending the slave trade was one of the best things that anyone has ever done. Even though lots of people told him it was impossible, and even made fun of him, he never gave up. More than twenty years passed before the slave trade was abolished, but he never lost faith. I am sure that lots of people are thankful for him and love that he stood up and went against what a lot of people thought. I am also sure that the Rotary Club’s Four-Way Test questions went through Wilberforce’s mind a lot.