August 15. William Gladstone. Gladstone worked for equal opportunity for people, including self-rule in Ireland. He strove toward those goals for the four terms he was England’s prime minister, and he kept fighting for the causes he believed in, even when he wasn’t in office.
Gladstone’s belief in God colored all his adult choices, and he continued to grow and learn. His ultimate decision was that believers must be bound by their own consciences and deep study of the Word of God, rather than by edicts handed down by a religious authority.
The general population fondly called him “The People’s William” or “Grand Old Man.” On this day in 1892, Gladstone was elected prime minister for the fourth time.
The power of love is greater than the love of power.
By day Gladstone had a busy, important job, but in his later years, many nights he walked the streets of London looking for women to rescue. The icy London wind cut through his overcoat, and the rhythmic clacking of his heels echoed off the cobblestone walk. In the dark, he heard the sound of a woman sobbing.
“Madam, you do seem quite distressed,” he said. “Is there anything at all that I can do to help?” Gladstone’s breath ascended like smoke rings in the frigid air.
“Sir, you’re most kind to inquire. However, I fear that my life at the moment requires more than I would want to burden a stranger with.” She sniffled and forced a smile.
“I see,” Gladstone said. “Well I am, in fact, no stranger to the people of England, and I don’t believe that there is any urgency you may be facing with which I cannot assist.”
The two stood in silence. Slowly her lip began to quiver, as she fought back the tears suddenly welling up in her weary eyes. “Perhaps …” But her voice broke, and she started to weep.
Gladstone reached into the inside pocket of his overcoat and offered her his silk handkerchief.
“There is a much better way of life than this for a young woman like you. It’s late tonight, bitterly cold out, and anyone could conclude from your attire the profession that you are in. Is this the life that you’ve chosen, or did this life somehow choose you?” asked Gladstone.
“Kind Sir, I ran away from home as a very young girl. To escape my father’s violence. One horrible decision led to another, and now I find myself at the mercy of violent men every day,” she said. “I have nowhere to turn for help, and nowhere to sleep tonight, unless I turn a trick.”
“Tonight, there is a bed waiting for you, without strings attached,” he said. “My wife will gladly look after you at our home this evening. And in the morning, we will secure for you more permanent lodging at the hostel, which we maintain for women similarly situated. Our people will be pleased to help you begin at once exploring a new, dignified course for your life. The choice in all of this is, of course, yours.”
Her eyes grew wide. With both hands, the disheveled young woman wiped the dark lines of tears and mascara from her cold, red cheeks.
“Sir,” she said in disbelief, “I am indeed speechless at your offer. Who are you, if I may ask, and why is it that would you want to help someone like me? Every man of power that I’ve ever encountered has wanted to use that power to his advantage. Certainly not mine.”
“Perhaps in this dim light you’ll not recognize me, but please forgive me for not already offering a proper introduction,” he said. “My name is William E. Gladstone, and I am the Prime Minister of England. As such, you will find that I am happily at your service, and at the service of all those who call our beautiful country their home.”
The young lady gratefully accepted Gladstone’s offer. Just as many others had over the course of his life and his decided efforts to improve society by offering a better way of life to London’s ladies of the night.
“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 NASB).
How can you leverage your power or influence today to benefit others, especially those who would otherwise be helpless without it? The power of love is greater than the love of power.
West, Anthony and reply by Frederick C. Crews. “Gladstone’s Prostitutes.” The New York Review of Books. Published October 6, 1966. https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1966/10/06/gladstones-prostitutes-2/
GOV.UK. “William Ewart Gladstone.” Past Prime Ministers. Accessed June 16, 2020. https://www.gov.uk/government/history/past-prime-ministers/william-ewart-gladstone
Justice delayed is justice denied.
~William Gladstone
We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.
~William Gladstone
Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race.
~William Gladstone
Story read by: Peter R Warren, https://www.peterwarrenministries.com/
Introduction read by: Daniel Carpenter
Audio production: Joel Carpenter
Story written by: John Mandeville, https://www.johnmandeville.com/
Editor: Teresa Crumpton, https://authorspark.org/
Project Manager: Blake Mattocks
Copyright © 2020, 365 Christian Men, LLC. All rights reserved.