An article published by Cornel University explains:

In the 1830s, American abolitionists, led by Evangelical Protestants, gained momentum in their battle to end slavery. Abolitionists believed that slavery was a national sin, and that it was the moral obligation of every American to help eradicate it from the American landscape by gradually freeing the slaves and returning them to Africa.

Here are some interesting facts about Abolitionists:

• Rhode Island Quakers, associated with Moses Brown, were among the first in America to free slaves. Benjamin Rush was another leader, as were many Quakers. John Woolman gave up most of his business in 1756 to devote himself to campaigning against slavery along with other Quakers.
• The State of Vermont, an independent Republic after the American Revolution, became the first sovereign state to abolish slavery in the 1780s. 

According to Reuters.com the movement picked up steam as follows:

1807 – Britain passes Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, outlawing British Atlantic slave trade. United States passes legislation banning the slave trade, effective from start of 1808. 1811 – Spain abolishes slavery, including in its colonies, though Cuba rejects ban and continues to deal in slaves. 1813 – Sweden bans slave trading 1814 – Netherlands bans slave trading 1817 – France bans slave trading, but ban not effective until 1826 1833 – Britain passes Abolition of Slavery Act, ordering gradual abolition of slavery in all British colonies.

The abolition movement continued to gain momentum under the leadership of people like William Wilberforce in Great Britain and William Lloyd Garrison, John Brown, Harriet Tubman and Fredrick Douglas in America. These people hated slavery and they called it out. Eventually, the Civil War helped break the back of slavery in America, and President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed emancipation of slaves with effect from January 1, 1863

Sin is a form of slavery. Sin is not fun stuff that God and your parents don’t want you to do. Sin consists of choices that separate mankind from God and violate the moral laws that God established.

God does not hate sinners. He hates sin, because sin is its own punishment. Addictions destroy families, minds and bodies. Infidelity destroys relationships. Murder destroys lives. Theft and violence destroy societies, including the lives and families of the perpetrators. God hates sin because sin enslaves. That is why so many believers are anti-sin. Sin is slavery of the worst kind; It enslaves minds, wills, emotions and eternal souls. 

But the slavery of sin can be broken! God hated sin so much that he became a man and died to set mankind free. God is an abolitionist. Those who are fortunate enough to grasp this amazing mindset no longer think of sin of something to give up… they think of sin as something to escape. When they let God help them escape, they enjoy real freedom. 

The Bible says that every time a sinner repents, heaven rejoices (Luke 15:7), because God is an Abolitionist.

#johnwhanson