On this day in 1620 Lucy Apsley was born. Her birth took place in the Tower of London where her parents were – not imprisoned – but where her father, Sir Allen Apsley, was governor. Lucy’s parents were dedicated Presbyterians. She was raised in a godly home surrounded by books and a good education. At an early age she placed her trust for salvation in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. She married another godly Presbyterian, Colonel John Hutchinson, and he became governor of Nottingham. When the British civil war broke out, Colonel Hutchinson devoted himself to the cause of the people.
While Lucy was expecting the couple’s first child, she began studying the scriptures in regard to infant baptism. When she could find no Biblical support for the practice, she turned to the Presbyterian divines, and still could not find any reason to have her child sprinkled. About that time there was a battle fought near the family castle. Some of her husband’s supporters were brought in, and Lucy became their nurse, tending to their wounds and pain. In the course of her service, she found on one of the men some notes which he had taken during a recent Baptist Bible study. She was drawn to their simplicity and Biblical accuracy, and this lead her to examine more closely the faith of the Baptists in Nottingham. Ultimately she confessed her acceptance of believer’s baptism, and when she shared her heart with the Colonel, he agreed. They both became Baptists and defenders of religious liberty.
“Not many mighty; not many noble are called” by God to salvation, but thankfully there are some. Even the rich, famous and powerful need to be converted to Christ. And with God “all things are possible.”