Harriet Livermore (1788 – 1868)

“It is impossible for me to describe the ecstasy that filled my soul. Better felt than can be expressed, are the raptures of a pardoned sinner. I believe the angelic host participated in my joys at that season, for they saw a prodigal return, and Jesus spoke of their gladness at such a sight. Oh! how charming was the name of Jesus to my ear, my eye, my heart.”          Harriet Livermore

Unlike many of the nineteenth century female evangelists and preachers that we read about who were born into poverty or even slavery (Jarena Lee for example), Harriet Livermore was born into wealth and status. For seven generations her family had garnered an impressive political and military heritage. Harriet’s father was a U.S. District Attorney appointed by George Washington, a justice on the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and a member of the U.S. Congress for three terms.

Harriet’s mother died when she was only five years old and so she attended boarding schools until she was in her teen years. During the time that her father was in Congress, Harriet enjoyed being a part of the elite Washington social set. She was attractive and very eligible as the daughter of one of New England’s oldest families.

Harriet met the man of her dreams while she was attending Atkinson Academy. Both families opposed the union. A few years later, during the War of 1812, her beau died. It was after this that Harriet decided to become a preacher.

Harriet had experienced conversion in 1811. She then attended several different churches – Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Quaker, Methodist, and Congregational – but each one seemed lacking in something that she was seeking. Finally Harriet encountered the Freewill Baptists, whose emphasis on the spontaneity of the Holy Spirit allowed for women to speak in public. Harriet spoke in public with men present several times but encountered much criticism from friends. She stopped attending the Freewill Baptist meetings for a while but then realized that she wanted to dedicate her life to Christ full time. She insisted on baptism by immersion even though it was winter. On January 2, 1823, a hole was cut into some ice and Harriet was plunged into the freezing waters.

She sought the Lord’s will for her life, “Lord, what wouldst Thou have me to do?” She said that it came into her mind “with much sweetness to go and visit the Christian churches, exhorting the children of God to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free…”

Harriet began to visit churches all throughout New England. In the span of one three-month period she visited twenty-three churches and homes, exhorting at meetings. Within several years she was traveling further and further away and staying longer in some places.

Harriet wrote several books including: A Narration of Religious Experience (1826); Scriptural Evidence in favor of Female Testimony in Meetings for the Worship of God (1824); Thoughts on Important Subjects  (1864); and A Testimony for the Times (1843).

On January 8, 1827, with President John Quincy Adams in attendance, Harriet preached to Congress. One observer at the time said that the Hall, lobby, and Gallery of Congress were all filled to capacity. There were people standing outside because there was no room within. “She was judged to be an extremely eloquent speaker, as well as an extraordinarily fine singer, whose singing greatly augmented her message.” Harriet spoke in front of Congress three more times between 1832 and 1843.

One might get the idea that Harriet was a strident feminist. Actually, in her own words in a book that she wrote, Harriet explained her position. While she firmly believed that women should and indeed ought to exhort in public, her ideas of a woman’s place in ministry were similar to Conservatives today.

Harriet began by saying that the following was her own opinion and she did not wish to bind the consciences of women who differed from her. She went on:

“The scriptures are silent respecting the ordination of females. I conclude it belongs only to the male sex. The title of evangelist, or minister, I do not find in the department of Anna, Priscilla, Phoebe, or any other Christian women, left in Bible record. The administration of gospel ordinances, Baptism and the Lord’s supper, uniting persons in marriage, I believe are confined to the male sex; and to me it exhibits an anti-Christian spirit for a female to wish or believe them resting on her. I do not believe the spirit of truth will influence a woman to ask for ordination, and the connected duties, &c. &c.”

However: “The gift of illustrating scripture in public religious assemblies, may be conferred upon devoted female saints….”
Harriet went on to say that the spiritual gifts are for males and females alike.

While she believed that women could speak in public, she was cautious about women getting into the pulpit because there was so much prejudice against female preaching that the testimony of the gospel would be lost on deaf ears.

Harriet became a strong advocate of Indian rights during the time that many Native Americans were being confined to reservations. During the 1830’s while Jeremiah Evarts (1781-1831) was urging President John Quincy Adams to provide financial assistance to help the Cherokee nation, Harriet visited the Choctaw nation. Those familiar with this sad time in American history when the United States cruelly treated Native Americans will remember that the “Indian Removal Act” pushed natives further and further west without aid. Many died. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs at Fort Leavenworth thwarted Harriet’s plans because of his fear that she wanted to treat the Indians with equality. Harriet’s dream of bringing comfort and conversion to the Indians was ended.

This did not stop Harriet in her goal to serve Christ. She turned her attention to the Jews. Between 1836 and 1858, she made at least four trips to the Holy Land. She focused especially on Jerusalem. At this time she had a slim income and she depended on the support of friends during her journeys. She had even pawned some of her silver teaspoons to pay for her livelihood.

Though born in affluence, Harriet died in poverty, alone, at the age of eighty, in an almshouse in Philadelphia. She described herself as a stranger and a pilgrim on earth. She was buried as she requested in an unmarked grave. Thankfully, her story can still be read today and this remarkable woman’s testimony is an encouragement to women.