Liliʻuokalani
1838-1917 19th century
Dispossession borne without hatred, and the prayer that remains when no other recourse does.
Who was Liliʻuokalani?
The last sovereign of the Hawaiian kingdom, a musician and composer, she was overthrown in 1893 by a coup backed by American interests. Arrested two years later, tried and sentenced, she was held for months in a room of Iolani Palace with nothing to lean on but a small prayer book found in her bag. Released, she spent the rest of her life pleading her people's cause in writing and in speech, never again by force of arms.
In their own words
That first night of my imprisonment was the longest night I have ever passed in my life; it seemed as though the dawn of day would never come. I found in my bag a small Book of Common Prayer according to the ritual of the Episcopal Church. It was a great comfort to me.
As you deal with them, so I pray that the Almighty God may deal with you in your hours of trial.
Oh, honest Americans, as Christians hear me for my down-trodden people! Their form of government is as dear to them as yours is precious to you.