Christian History Institute Presents Pastwords #151: "The Indians Are Israel" by Harriet Livermore ©2007

LIVERMORE, HARRIET. The Harp of Israel, to Meet the Loud Echo in the Wilds of America. By Harriet Livermore. A mourning Pilgrim, Bound to the Promised Land. Philadelphia: Printed for the Authoress, By J. Rakestraw. 1835.

Harriet Livermore (1788-1868) well known American evangelist. She addressed the introduction "To Mr. Elias Boudinot.. My respected friend...desiring to interest your Christian feelings in favor of the simple Hymns now presented to the Cherokee Nation, and Indians everywhere. Elias Boudinot (1803-1839) Cherokee Indian editor, signed in 1835 with other but without any authority, a treaty for the Cherokees' removal. In the last few pages she follows Elias Boundinot (1740-1821) namesake of the above, in his work A Star in the West, asserting that the American Indians descended from the lost tribes of Israel, quoting Boudinot, Jonathan Edwards, Jr., and others in support. Includes a chart comparing English Indian and Hebrew words and phrases supporting the idea. The bulk of the book consists of hymns written in English by the author, for the use of the Indians.

mpelled by the influence of a Spirit which moves upon my mind, day and night, and constantly warns me to prepare to meet my God, I declare to the Rulers of the people of this land, that the declaration of God to Abraham, more than three thousand years ago, is received at this eventful period, and by the Spirit of truth is addressed to every INDIAN, that prays to the great and Mighty One!

Yea-the Indians are Israel: they are "beloved for the fathers sakes;" and even in their present outcast state, are the "vineyard of red wine," watched by Jehovah every moment.

If you demand of me, to give you my authority for these sayings, I tell you-CONSCIENCE- and I ask you, shall man dare to judge that portion of my being, which is quickened by the Infinite God?

My conscience then, bearing witness to the Indian tribes, that they are "lost Israel," and likewise to the history of the ten tribes, and the prophecies which concern them, found upon the sacred records of God, I solemnly, (as in the presence of my everlasting Judge, referring my act, at this moment, to his eye and care,) I solemnly declare, that I am authorized to say-Blessed are they that bless the Indians; and cursed is he who curseth the Indians!!

If these words come from God, they will stand. Amen, and Amen.

Now "every heart knoweth its own bitterness:" also-a wounded bird always flutters-therefore, let no personal affront be taken.

I appeal to conscience in every man of you, Is not the sound of the Great Master's feet with my testimony? Have not all of you been admonished by a still small voice, that the mysterious red people, whose "lives are given them for a prey," are descendants of the Great Wrestler, and prevalent Prince with God?

Let it be understood, that the whole land of the overshadowing wing (Rulers and people) are notified by this testimony; and solemnly warned of the danger, and the destruction sure to follow all the enemies, and despisers, and opposers of the outcast, afflicted, benighted, and severely chastised Aborigines of America!!!

I would not make these assertions, but upon sacred authority, even the testimony of "a conscience purified by the blood of Jesus," who is my Saviour, my Redeemer, my Law-giver, Shepherd, and everlasting Judge?

The cry of "crazy woman"-"fanatic"-or of "delusion," "enthusiasm and madness," will not move me, I humbly trust, from my purpose, to blow the trumpet-to sound the alarm-and shout aloud-

"ho Land! Woe Land of the overspreading wing."-Send the "Harp of Israel to the poor Indians;" and beware of Balak's spirit--and Balaam's folly!

"Behold the day of the Lord cometh; it hasteth greatly"--a day of trouble-of alarm-of tempest-of great heats-and of great frosts-of sore famines-wars-pestilences-noisome beasts-awful delusions! And horrid desolations!

"Be wise, O ye rulers!-be instructed ye judges of the earth:"

PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD!!!

HARRIET LIVERMORE

To Mr. Elias Boudinott.

My respected friend,

I take the liberty to address a letter to you in this manner, desiring your interest your Christian feelings in favor of the simple Hymns now presented to the Cherokee nation, and Indians everywhere, by a devoted friend to the Lord's outcasts, in the wilds of North America. Apologies are not requisite; as the Aboriginal character is established on the score of gratefully receiving attentions, which manifest respectful interest in their welfare; especially when offered by such persons as possess a share of confidence in the Indian's breast. For the latter, I put in my humble claim, knowing, that in the view of heaven, I deserve it. The Searcher of hearts, the Omniscient, always present Jehovah, whose "eye-lids try the children of men," understands my unreserved attachment to his mournful outcast, "the wife of youth," long refused by her God, by angels, and by man. Yea, the Maker of us all doth know, that I left these States in 1832, to seek for the poor sheep in the wilderness; and from a heart aching with sympathy for wrongs and sorrows which I could not remedy, to pour the tributary stream of pity and affection, on the altar of prayer to the Indian's God saying, "Arise, and come-and save us!"-My Heavenly Father saw me, urging my way to west, undismayed by Cholera, sand-bars, or floating timbers, by officers, soldiers, agents, traders, commissioners, or the devil. Through my whole course, I experienced the good of that sweet declaration of the royal Psalmist, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him; for he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust." My sincerity engaged his justice-my weakness his tender compassion. He saw me alone. Other females were in company with a husband, or a father, or a brother, or in charge of a Missionary, and a member of his family. All who have gone to the Indians, professedly to teach have a name among some sect or other, denominated Christian, except the pilgrim who addresses you in this letter. I am conscientiously solitary, in every particular named in this letter, the names of the father and brother, living upon this earth. They knew my determination. They knew they had no right to interfere in the matter; and they understood my character. I was then, I am now, resolved to say, "living and dying, I am the Lord's."

I was protected by Heaven, my respected friend, in a series of travels, amounting to six thousand miles; for I looked upward, and trusted only in Jesus, my Redeemer, my God.

It is unnecessary for me to give a statement on this sheet, concerning my return to the States. You received it from my lips, at Washington, in 1834. It is probable the world may have an opportunity of seeing it, as I shall publish my narrative, "if the Lord will;" and the Judgment day will declare it; for it is written, "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

As I have remarked before, that my sincerity toward the Aboriginal inheritors of this country, is deserving of their conscience, I shall now observe, that few, very few, alas! Even of the tribes I have seen, may have any true knowledge of the same, until we meet in that grand revolution of God, where "the Light of Israel shall be for a fire," and his Holy One for a flame, and the kingdom shall be the Lord's."

I present my Hymns, however, as a testimony of immortal and eternal friendship, for the afflicted red men, to whom I would say, Your "heaven whispered story" blends with every sign I see; "tis Plain, Jehovah's Means and ends, Now mark poor Job, and all his friends, as sufferers in the evil day.

I hope you will be induced by a measure of the same Spirit, that I believe has led me to publish these Hymns for your people, to introduce them to the notice of every Indian you may see, who can read them. O! could I realize, that the murmuring breeze of the forests in Missouri, would mingle with my simple songs, repeated by the Christian Kickappoo, or Potawattamie Indians, in their sorrowful days, my praises to God should ascend on the wings of the morning, on the cloud of the evening, in strains of adoring gratitude, that he permitted me to write them. But, alas! I fear this joy may never be mine. Those tribes know not the white man's language.

When I had the pleasure of seeing you at Washington, I anticipated a speedy and eternal departure from this continent. To this time, I am the subject of disappointment. All my arduous and resolute attempts to quit America, have hitherto been defeated. Hope, is however, still quick to comfort my orphan heart, with prospects that fix their location on May, 1836; and I really encourage myself from hour to hour, with the idea, that the breezes which fan the blossoms of that month, will swell the sails of a ship, that bears me away, forever away, and far, far away, from the land, or from the shores of the land, where my infancy wept.

From afflictions I do not except to escape, go where I may, in this body. No. This earthly tabernacle can claim no inheritance in Eden. It is "dead because of sin;" but glory and praise to God, its tenant is life, because the righteousness, the righteousness of Christ. So far from a disposition to avoid the sufferings of the present day, am I place by the principles implanted in my soul, that I just go forward to meet my lot, which, I fervently hope, is martyrdom at last, in Jerusalem, the ancient city of God, for the name-sake and for the testimony of Jesus, our Saviour and our Lord.

Upon this theme, the words probability-possibility, etc. may be annexed to the decision of the unbelieving lord in Samaria, as often as it is mentioned; to which my reply is ever ready, "with God nothing shall be impossible." I cheerfully submit by whole destiny, to the righteous will of my Redeemer, the Sovereign of the ages to come; and I know no fear but the fear of the Lord.

The present state of things, I view as preparative to a sudden and universal Resolution through the whole extent of this spacious globe, which becomes necessary to the support of the Name above every Name, and of the throne of grace-to man! Worlds invisible, that is, the spiritual worlds, have host of agents on both sides the question, truth-and the LIE. And I believe they are approaching to the conflict, named in Holy Scripture, "the battle of that Great Day of GOD Almighty," in which victory is given to Jesus Christ, his elect angels and people. These invisible agents influence the visible creation of animal character, both of man and brute; and as there are far more men on the wrong side than on the right, of course the spiritual sway is subject to Satan, whose wrath against truth inflames to the acme, or high water mark of violence in the earth, because of the short time. Satan knows he is the Prince of this world; (the age that now is) and of none beyond it. No marvel, that the prospect now in sight, is very awful to the Prince of darkness, even his imprisonment in the bottomless pit; * and likewise the desolation of his base kingdoms. *By this I understand that Satan's influence is so to be circumscribed, that he can neither tempt nor distress any object being within the compass of the millennial earth, during the lapse of 1000 years. He therefore roars louder and stronger, in the bravado spirit of a rebel, against a power which he is aware can never be destroyed; for his confession to Christ, "I know thee who thou art," is recollected with his question to the Saviour, "ART THOU COME HITHER to torment us, before our time?

It is our lot, my respected friend, to witness the scenes, which are preparative to the overthrow of Satan and his hosts; and we must calculate upon sufferings, and nothing else, through the short time of his great wrath and power. Let us, then, constantly pray for strength to endure his temptations, which come to us secondarily, and through this subjects, or immediately from himself, as a spirit that can throw fiery darts into our souls; but it is not able to destroy, while we are trying to watch and pray, as commanded by the Lord.

I entreat of you (I would say the same to every Indian upon the earth if I could) to rejoice in your tribulations; for depend on this word, they are a distinguished branch of "Jacob's trouble," yea, an important hour of that time of his woes, out of which he shall be saved. See the prophecy of Jeremiah. Perhaps you may say "this is an hard saying"- It seems so, to be sure, in the present condition of things; yet, even upon the principles of human philosophy, I might urge you to glory over Satan, whose fall is Jacob's rise, whose destruction is Israel's glory; for your present troubles, O! ye nations of Ephraim, will result in the splendid exhibition of all the tribes of Israel, upon the mountain of blessing and in the city of God, to shout the everlasting praise of God and the Lamb.

The red men are not alone, in the regions of trouble, at this eventful period. We can hear of no nation of people, on the face of the whole earth, that are at ease. Revolutions are increasing, bringing forth wind and tempest, effecting no permanent deliverance from evil; but merely changing the shape thereof. Every system adopted by man, has hitherto been treated like a child's rattle, after a while cast off for something new; and as the wheels of worldly governments go round, changes are continually taking place; and God will not suffer them to be otherwise, because they are not subservient to his glory, nor productive of good to his people.

There is a two-fold mystery; Godliness and Iniquity. Of the former, Paul said it was great in the manifestation of God in flesh; and of course the latter cannot be small, since the apostle declared its work elicited in "all power," and "lying wonders." The latter, however, is an usurpation, suffered to take place; and as it is beyond the power of faith to apprehend the exact and particular construction of the great will of God, she wisely lets down her wings before his mercy seat, and adores the yet unknown decrees of perfect Deity. I do really think, my respectful friend, that the Indians may congratulate themselves, that their redemption is near. The iniquity of all nations is about full; and so is the red man's cup of woe. However, at all hazards, trust in God. This is safe; for so his holy word expressly declares. His power is infinite, because he is the Great Existence, in whom alone there is infinity; and he is the beginning and the ending, who is called our Saviour; so that it is folly to fear what men or devils can do to us. If Satan is strong, God is STRENGTH, if Satan is wise, God is WISDOM- is Satan is might, God is THE ALMIGHTY. In knowledge, in power, in majesty, in glory, in wisdom, strength, and goodness, our God is infinite. Then let us trust in him, let us fear him; and say, "if God be for us, who shall be against us?" "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?" Shall Satan, through man? Nay; It is God that justifieth; for Christ hath died!

Yet a little while, and the oppressor, the extortioner, the spoiler, ceaseth to be-in power. True the sorrowful day is to be very dark. To be sure, terrible is the coming scene. The wrath of Satan against God's elect-the wrath of God against the enemy-the wrath of man against man!-and all summed up in these words, "The great Day of the wrath of the Lamb!" when the vials of vengeance pour, and the spirit of God flies like a frighted dove, away from the regions of war-of famine and plague-the regions of violence and spoil! Jeremiah and his fellow seers, through the telescope of prophecy; beheld the whole world at once, in confusion and dismay.

Let us watch and pray--let us remember Calvary! Oh! Calvary! We will not cease to celebrate thy victory, though the sun retired and left thee dark as night; yet our Redeemer cried, "It is finished;" and the veil was rent-the saints awoke, the rocks gave way, and hell was in despair!

My own experience is entirely on the side of Calvary! The mountains of Zion, Tabor, Moriah and Olivet, are sacred and glorious; and upon them the golden trumpets will blow in the millennial day; but Calvary rung with the cry, "it is finished," when Jesus died for me!!! Yea, the blood of Jesus, shed for a propitiatory sacrifice, can take away my sin; and his Spirit will lead me to rest, even that rest, that Sabbath of which Jesus is the Lord! My hope is now sealed to the cross, to the tomb, and to the throne of Mercy. I cling to the name of Jesus; and Antichrist must strike me there or not at all.

I have a variety of perplexities, trials, that goad my feelings and taste a good deal like wormwood; but I perceive every one of them are suffered to come upon me as watch-words suited to the hour; and their tendency is to prevent me from sleeping in time of temptation and increasing danger; so I have reason to be thankful in the midst of trouble. There is nothing very pleasant to me now, but the name of Jesus, and his salvation. Since I turned away from the Indians, and returned to the States, I have felt like a captive exile, more than any thing; and occasionally bewail the times like Jeremiah crying, "woe is me." In general, however, I endeavor to cheer myself with the hope I possess in the mercy and grace of God, calling upon his Name, and meditating in his blessed prophetic words, comparing with them the signs of the times, and believing the glorious epiphany, and personal reign of the Lord Jesus Christ very near at hand, when the children of the forest, the Aborigines of America, shall enter their holy rest. But for these views, and the testimony of my conscience, that I was willing to suffer in the wilderness with the Indians, my sorrows would be insupportable. Indeed, as it is, I dare not look down upon earth at all; but away to Calvary, and upward to Jesus. Farewell, my respected friend-May Divine Grace support you, and the God of Israel save you from desponding in the dark and cloudy day. With devoted regard, I am your servant in the Lord.

Harriet Livermore.

Philadelphia, October 5, 1835 A.D.