The Land of Canaan, by Thankful A. Leonard, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1834

I love history, especially U.S. History. I write about it a lot.

Sadly, its a stark reminder of who we used to be as a people, and who we are are no longer.

It really wasn’t that long ago that we relied on God for our help.

We used to pray and give thanks to God for our country–the very God that brought us protection, wealth, and prosperity. And I’m not talking about the god of Islam (or any other god that people may serve in the U.S. today). I am referring to YHWH [Yahweh] the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

For 30+ years, I have collected U.S. historical artifacts, including rare books, handwritten manuscripts, photographs, and period newspapers from the American Revolutionary War and American Civil War and everything in between. Some of the historical material I have dates back to the Mayflower. It is these historical items that are regularly and abundantly filled with mentions, prayers, and praise to YHWH God. It is precious and factual evidence that we were once a country that served God and relied on Him for His blessings, His sovereign grace, and His divine providence. But no longer.

In contrast, it’s interesting that in my 30 year collection of all these wonderful and amazing United States relics, there are zero references to the god of Islam, Allah. The absence of which speaks volumes. Today, promoting a lie from the pit of hell, wicked apostates are attempting, and at some level, are succeeding at conflating the God of Christianity with the god of Islam as being one and the same. They call it Chrislam and they are leading many astray down the wide path to destruction.

Jesus said:

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and there are many that go in by it. –Matthew 7:13

And so to honor the one and only true God–the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the only begotten of the Father, Jesus Christ, I plan to set forth here, and in future posts, incontrovertible historical evidence that proves how far we have moved away from God in this country; by showing the marvelous historical documents and records of how Americans once worshiped and served Him. We would all do well to consider the historical record–especially those that are now promoting and advocating another “Jesus” and another “Gospel.”  God help them!

The first historical artifact I will share with you is a composition penned on paper in sepia ink. It is titled: The Land of Canaan. The paper is now extraordinarily fragile and some of the ink has faded over time. The document is signed by a 22-year old Christian woman named, Thankful A. Leonard, and is dated November 22, 1843. She was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 10, 1821. Plymouth was the site of the colony founded in 1620 by the Pilgrims, passengers of the famous ship the Mayflower.

A note that accompanied this written document read: Preserve this poetry that was pen-printed and composed by Aunt Thankful Leonard, who was mother’s sister and who was hurt at the time mother was killed. This I have done.

One day soon, I will personally meet Thankful Leonard, and perhaps we will sing the song she wrote together as we sit and visit in the land of fair Canaan.

The Land of Canaan, by Thankful A. Leonard, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1843–©2014 Vanity All Is Vanity, all rights reserved.

There will be no more crying, nor sorrow, or sighing,

In the peaceable land of fair Canaan.

But with angels in glory, we will tell our glad story

As we range through the fields of fair Canaan.

The green pleasant fields of fair Canaan.

The sweet flowery fields of fair Canaan.

With our harp in our hands we will join the bright bands,

That range through the fields of fair Canaan.

By the clear crystal river that flows on forever,

Through the beautiful land of dear Canaan.

With joy we shall see the life-giving tree,

That grows on the land of fair Canaan.

The beautiful land of fair Canaan.

The glorious land of fair Canaan.

And we’ll pluck off the leaves from the ambrosial trees,

that bloom in the land of fair Canaan.

While the Saints of all ages, with rapture engages,

To sing on the banks of fair Canaan.

With our friends and our neighbors we will rest from our labors,

And recline on the banks of fair Canaan.

The green flowery banks of fair Canaan.

The sweet lovely banks of fair Canaan.

With our harp and our lyre, we’ll join the full choir,

That sing on the banks of fair Canaan.

With transports unbounded, by angels surrounded,

We will praise the Great King of fair Canaan.

We will unite our glad voices, while heaven rejoices.

In praising the King of fair Canaan.

The glorious King of fair Canaan.

The bright shining King of fair Canaan.

And in rapture complete, we will fall at his feet,

Who brought us all safe to fair Canaan.

Come all ye delaying…[a few words unintelligible]

Let us start for this land of fair Canaan.

Your amour come gird on, we shall soon cross the Jordan,

And land on the shore of fair Canaan.

The sweet heavenly shore of fair Canaan.

The bright blessed shore of fair Canaan.

O! We’ll watch and we’ll pray by night and by day,

‘Til we stand on the shore of fair Canaan.