I am in the midst of reading 2 really good books. They are historical retelling of events, but they also have some personal significance for me.

Though I have a connection to them, anyone could get a lot out of reading these 2 books as well.

My mom is very heavily into researching our family history, and I am a direct descendant of a woman named Mary Bradbury.

Mary was accused and imprisoned in Salem, Massachusetts. She was pointed to as one of the "Salem Witches."

Though many testified of Mary's good character and morality, the frenzy of the time caused the judicial system to condemn out of fear and ignorance.

Mary was imprisoned.

The books I am reading right now do not directly speak of Mary, but they both deal with one of the judges in Salem during the witch trials. His name was Judge Samuel Sewall.

Judge Sewall condemned many to death during those days in Salem. However, it is he who was partly responsible for putting the madness to an end.

The first book, "The Diary of Samuel Sewall" is a very powerful book. As a flawed human like all the rest of us, he was very open about his own failings and struggles as a human prone to sin. Yet, at the same time he had a growing heart for God that would not be extinguished.

One passage in particular is my favorite part of the book. On March 30, 1677, recounting a letter he wrote to the son of "Old Mr. Oakes," he said,

"Sir, I have been, and am, under great exercise of mind with regard to my spiritual estate. Wherefore I do earnestly desire that you would bear me on your heart tomorrow in prayer, that God would give me a true godly sorrow for sin, as such; Love to Himself and Christ, that I may admire His goodness, grace, kindness in that way of saving man, which I greatly want. I think I shall sit down tomorrow to the Lord's Table, and I fear I shall be an unworthy partaker. Those words, "If  your own hearts condemn you, God is greater, and knoweth all things" have often affrighted me."

Nobody talks that way any more. Heck, nobody THINKS that way anymore. In our society of familiarity, we oftentimes lose sight of the fear of God.

The other book I am reading is one by Richard Francis. It's called, "The Apology of Samuel Sewall."

Judge Sewall came to his senses, and being convicted of God, he helped put an end to the Salem witch hunt. In fact, Samuel Sewall stood and publicly read an apology, a statement of repentance for his part in condemning people to death over this issue. How many judges do you know today who would be willing to humble themselves like that? For that matter, how many PEOPLE IN GENERAL do you know who would humble themselves like that in repentance?

Samuel Sewall was a remarkable man, and it shows through these 2 magnificent books. Because of him, my ancestor, Mary Bradbury was eventually freed.

I would recommend these 2 books for anyone to read, whether you have a descendant who was part of the Salem debacle, or if you just like to read about history. Order them online, check them out at your local library, or get your library to do an inter library loan. Who knows, you might even get to read the very copy I am finishing right now...