"Gather up the Fragments, that nothing be lost": "Memorable" Women's Conversion Narratives

• Published in: Early modern women Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 209 - 215
• Main Author: Adcock, Rachel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Center for Renaissance & Baroque Studies and Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies 01.09.2011; The University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: Autobiographies; Baptists; Christianity; Forum: Early Modern Women and Memory; Memory; Narrative modes; Narratives; Prayer; Printing; Separatism; Writers
• DOI: 10.1086/EMW23617338
• ISSN: 1933-0065

This essay explores women's memory through a conversion narrative written by Katherine Sutton. "A Christian Woman's Experiences of the Glorious Working of God's Free Grace", published in Rotterdam in 1663, commemorates God's revelation to her and his delivery of her to safety when she was shipwrecked. She argues that any memory, however small, that buttresses faith in God is worth recording and, conversely, that to forget such events is sinful. Such texts were highly valued by separatist and Baptist congregations as evidence that they were part of God's chosen people, testifying to the validity of emerging doctrines and practices. (Quotes from original text)