探约翰·卫斯理与18世纪英国废奴运动

Research on John Wesley and the Antislavery Movement in Eighteenth-Century Britain

在18世纪末19世纪初的英国废奴运动中,基督教废奴主义者发挥过重要作用。作为基督教废奴主义者的一员,约翰·卫斯理早年已开始关注奴隶问题。但直到《反思奴隶制》一书出版,卫斯理才由关注"拯救灵魂"的基督教福音主义者蜕变为试图"改变法令"的基督教废奴主义者。从此,卫斯理以兄弟、自由、仁慈、正义等理念为武器,公开抨击奴隶贸易和奴隶制。约翰·卫斯理的废奴思想启发了后继的基督教废奴主义者,并为"克拉朋联盟"提供了精神支持,在日渐兴起的英国废奴运动中扮演着先锋角色。

Christian abolitionists have played an important role in British antislavery movement during the late eighteenth century to early nineteenth centry. As a member of Christian abolitionists, John Wesley had paid much attention to black slaves in his early years. But the final transformation from an Evangelical leader caring about saving souls to a Christian abolitionist endeavoring to change the laws didn＇ t occur until Wesley published his pamphlet called Thoughts upon Slavery. From then on, John Wesley openly denounced slave trade and slavery with the ideas of brotherhood, liberty, mercy and justice. His thoughts on slavery inspired subsequent Christian abolitionists as well as afforded spiritual support for the ＂Clapham Sect＂. He has been normally regarded as a pioneer in the forthcoming antislavery movement.