Edith Cavell Centenary 1915-2015

Approximately 150 years ago, Edith Cavell was born in Swardeston, Norfolk, England. The date was December 4, 1865. Throughout the fifty years of Edith Cavell’s life, she was content to be obscure, working hard and living humbly. But these virtues in and of themselves are not enough to make one unique. Surely there have been tens of millions of obscure women who worked hard and lived humbly. But the main reason we should remember and reflect upon the particular life of Edith Cavell is that she was a godly woman and, therefore, a godly historical example.

The Bible instructs us to teach our children about such historical examples. Psalm 78:4 reads: ‘We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and His might, and the wonders that He has done.’ At a time in history when examples of godly women are few and far between, much needed strength and encouragement can be drawn from the life of this lady who put all her trust in Jesus Christ, her Saviour.

There is no doubt that Edith was blessed with loving parents, Louisa and Frederick Cavell, who faithfully instructed their daughter in Bible knowledge and who were examples to her of godly living. Instilled with a desire to please her Creator God, Edith Cavell, who became a nurse, lived what she professed. A remarkable woman, she died bravely in Brussels, Belgium, at the hands of German soldiers. Her crime was assisting Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. October 12, 2015 is the centenary of her execution. In a seemingly hopeless situation, she persevered and did not shun the victor’s crown. She was a gift given by God to his Son Jesus Christ and, as such, was saved for eternal life.

A splendid work of historical fiction recounting her life A Cup of Cold Water: The Compassion of Nurse Edith Cavell, has been written by Christine Farenhorst; 224 pages, paperback (P&R Publishing, 2007).