De Vurige Oven: Een verhaal uit den tijd der dragonades in Nederland

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27486

Title

De Vurige Oven: Een verhaal uit den tijd der dragonades in Nederland

Language

nl

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in 1830s Netherlands, this historical novel depicts the persecution of 'Separatists' (Afgescheidenen) by the state and orthodox church authorities. Through the eyes of a young pastor and his community, the story explores themes of religious freedom, civil disobedience, and the harsh reality of dragonades, offering a poignant look at a forgotten chapter of Dutch history.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1911, J.A. Wormser's *De Vurige Oven* (The Fiery Furnace) serves as a historical narrative detailing the persecution of Dutch Separatists during the draconian measures of the 19th century. The story opens in 1836, introducing Klaas Beukman, a farmer, and Pastor Huibert Jacobus Buddingh, a young man with a broken arm and a fiery spirit. Together, they travel to Bunschoten to establish a new congregation, immediately facing hostility from state authorities who enforce strict laws prohibiting unauthorized religious gatherings. Despite constitutional protections for religious freedom, the government arbitrarily arrests and intimidates the Separatists, drawing parallels to the brutality of the Inquisition and the persecution of the Huguenots. The narrative follows the community's resilience as they hold secret services, baptize children, and endure military raids. Key figures include Jan Verlinden, a schoolmaster who cleverly exploits legal loopholes to protect his congregation, and the young couple Gerrit and Jannetje Beukman, whose child is baptized amidst military threats. The plot highlights the moral conflict between state authority and individual conscience, illustrating how officials often ignored the letter of the law to enforce their own will. For instance, soldiers frequently disrupted services by counting attendees, only to arrest those who exceeded a specific number, regardless of whether the gathering was in a private home or a shared building. Wormser contrasts the brutality of state oppression with the steadfast faith of the persecuted. Through vivid descriptions of rural life and tense confrontations, the novel celebrates the endurance of the faithful against overwhelming odds. The text emphasizes that while the state claimed to uphold freedom of conscience, it simultaneously banned religious words and actions that did not align with the Synod's preferences. Ultimately, the book illustrates the courage required to maintain faith under pressure, honoring the memory of those who suffered for their beliefs in the Netherlands.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27486.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg27486.epub

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Categories

• History
• Fiction