By Dana Williams, Senior Pastor • Cornerstone Baptist Church, Lowell
As a pastor, I have spent years preaching about the unwavering power of faith in the face of trials and persecution. I have read true accounts of martyrs and the persecuted church, past and present. Yet, In Editha’s Days: A Tale of Religious Liberty, a work of historical fiction, is the first I have read that truly brings the harsh reality of our persecuted forefathers to life.
The story centers on young Editha, whose faith is tested amid widespread persecution, betrayals, and exiles. The narrative examines the power of God’s Word in championing freedom of conscience, religious liberty, and the right to read Scripture and worship without coercion. Written in 1894 by Mary E. Bamford, the story is a work of historical fiction directly based on true Anabaptist accounts from 16th-century England, using authorities such as Fox’s Book of Martyrs and Armitage’s History of the Baptists. Reading it is like unearthing buried treasure from our own roots and illuminates why the Bible makes us Baptists.
In Editha’s Days, there is adventure, depth, raw resilience, and conviction. This new edition, available from Amazon at tiny.cc/inedithasdays, which my wife, Kimberly Williams, and I annotated, includes the original 1894 publication, new historical annotations, and thoughtful questions at the end of each chapter to spark personal reflection and group discussion. If you have ever wondered why a denomination’s convictions carry such weight or the significance of Believer’s Baptism, this book is your guide. It will kindle a devotion to God’s Word and embolden you to walk boldly in obedience and faith. I would especially recommend it for pastors, teachers, and church members who desire a deeper understanding of our Baptist heritage and the cost of religious liberty.
