The thrilling story of Tsali’s love and sacrifice for the sake of his tribesmen is unsurpassed in the annals of American Indian history.
In 1838, 17,000 Cherokee Indians were forced by General Winfield Scott to struggle en masse from Western North Carolina to Oklahoma. More than 4,000 perished along the way on that terrible “trail of tears.” Some 1,000 Cherokees remained behind, however, hidden in the Great Smokies.
In the conflict between the Indians and the whites, before that cruel removal of almost the entire tribe, Tsali’s wife had been murdered by a drunken United States soldier, who in turn was killed by Tsali and his kinsmen. To avoid capture Tsali escaped into the depths of America’s largest virgin forest.
General Scott made a comprise proposal which was conveyed to Tsali by a trusted friend of his. The proposal was: If Tsali and his kin would surrender to be shot, the remainder of the tribe could stay in the beautiful land of their birth.
After days of anguish, Tsali, with his sons and brother-in-law, walked unescorted into Bushnell to face certain death. What brought him there? White soldiers could never have found him in his cave near Clingman’s Dome. Despite a burning desire to live, it was love that brought him there to die.
At the last moment, his youngest son was saved from the firing squad by the tears of a woman missionary. Then the rifle shots rang out. Three brave Indians died and a thousand Cherokees were free to remain in the Great Smokies.
In love for his suffering people Tsali willingly offered himself as a substitute and sacrifice. And in love for us poor sinners the Lord Jesus gave Himself as our Substitute and willingly died in our stead. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3).
Tsali’s dust still rests in the grave, but the grave could not hold the Son of God. Death had no claim upon Him for He was the holy, sinless One. As soon as the claims of God’s righteousness had been met in the death of the Substitute, Christ rose from the dead according to the Scriptures.” In that great work of redemption He has brought about deliverance from a far worse fate than “the trail of tears” and made provision for an eternal home, far more beautiful than the Great Smokies for His people.
Today the Eastern Tribe of Cherokees pays tribute to the memory of Tsali. Do you, dear reader, honor Him who is infinitely greater than a Tsali, He who died, who rose from the dead and now sits at God’s right hand in the heavens? Can you say He is your Saviour? If not, then “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
ML-04/01/1979