Page:A memoir of Granville Sharp.djvu/60

56 labors." He delivered this protest, with a loud voice, a powerful emphasis, and both hands lifted up towards heaven, as was usual to him, when much moved. The committee acknowledged the criminality of both, to be the same—but they adhered to their resolution; fearing, that if they attacked at once, both slavery and the slave trade, they would succeed against neither. Granville Sharp, though wounded to the quick by this decision in some of his most sacred feelings, perceived that the burthen rested with him no longer, his testimony having been faithfully borne; and he continued to labor with cordial zeal, in the cause which his friends were pursuing. His office in the committee, was chairman, by a unanimous vote of the members, as "Father," in their language, "of the cause in England." But while he sustained the responsibility, and performed the duty of the office, he would never assume the chair. Thomas Clarkson says of him, "I have attended above seven hundred committees and sub-committees with him, and yet, though sometimes but few were present, he always seated himself at the end of the room; choosing rather to serve the glorious cause, in humility through conscience, than in the character of a distinguished individual." He had well learnt and steadily practiced the glorious injunction, "Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." Matt. xx. 26, 27. Sharp's extensive and intimate acquaintance and correspondence with the noblest minds of the day, was of essential service to the cause. He seems to have been particularly useful amongst the ministers of the established church. He was the first who instructed Mr. Pitt upon the subject, Pitt having sent for him in consequence of Mr. Wilberforce's illness. Not long after, Thomas Clarkson had an interview with Pitt, and Pitt expressed his doubts as to the reality of the treatment of the slaves, as well as to the mortality of the seamen; and also, as to the riches, genius and abilities of the African people. Clarkson was desired to wait upon him the following day, with such proofs as he could bring. "At the time appointed," says Clarkson, "I