An Introduction ... to William Cloyes Moore

Let me tell you about a little fellow I just met earlier this evening. His name is William Cloyes Moore. He was born (rather suddenly) at 6:15pm, March 17, 2010. He weighed in at 8lbs. 3 oz … 20.5 inches. He’s got ten fingers … ten toes … so far, he’s pretty laid back (except when he’s hungry) and he is undoubtedly made in his Creator’s image.

He bears the name of two great men … heroes of mine and Anne’s.

• William Wilberforce was an evangelical Anglican who put his faith in action in the British Parliament (as well as in private action) in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. He was appalled that his society would permit (and even profit from) such a deplorable injustice of human slavery. Many agreed that it was wrong, but were content to sit on the sidelines and allow each to choose for himself whether they would profit from the trade or own slaves for themselves. Not Wilberforce. He chose to fight for the “least of these” … those who had no choice in the matter. He made mistakes. He failed many times, and 18 years after his first speech on the subject, he succeeded in peacefully ending the British Slave Trade. Twenty six years later, Wilberforce received the report of the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act … three days before he died.
  
  
• A little closer to home, Cloyes Starnes (my uncle) has spent his life putting his faith into action in post-war South Korea and in the mountains of North Carolina. He and my Aunt Mary Jo spent 30+ years as Baptist missionaries sharing their lives and the good news of Christ with a people who NOW send their own missionaries back to the United States (and indeed around the world) to share the good news of Christ with us. Even in retirement, my Uncle Cloyes’ ministry hasn’t slowed as he continues to live out his faith daily for the people of Waynesville, NC.

It’s amazing to think of the world that lies before little William. The opportunities and pitfalls are boundless. Maybe he’ll enjoy singing or painting … Maybe he’ll work with his hands … Maybe he’ll create something that I can’t even imagine imagining … Maybe he’ll write … Maybe he’ll lead … Hopefully, he’ll serve and love well. Maybe he’ll someday have sons and daughters and worry about the world he’s leaving them … who knows :)

We have no idea if little William will impact the world the way his namesakes have, but we are thankful for his safe delivery and for our opportunity to watch and see just exactly how God will use this little boy.

Warmly,

Gideon for Anne, Gracie, Jack and William … the Moores of Matthews