Just as I Am by Lora Clement

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 3, 1912

"Just as I Am"

By Lora Clement

LORA CLEMENT

DWIGHT L. MOODY said of the song "Just as I Am:" "It has done more good to the greatest number, and has touched more lives helpfully, than any other hymn." The author, Charlotte Elliott, was born in Brighton, England, March 18, 1789. At the age of thirty-two, severe illness left her a helpless invalid. Rev. Dr. Cæsar Malan, a gifted Swiss preacher, was visiting at her home, and one evening they fell into conversation regarding Christian life. The earnest missionary asked her if she thought herself an experimental Christian. She resented his searching question, and told him that she did not wish to discuss the matter. Dr. Malan answered that he would not pursue the subject if it displeased her, but would pray that she might give herself to Christ. Several days later Miss Elliott apologized for her abruptness, and confessed that this question and parting remark had troubled her. "I do want to find Christ," she said; "I want you to help me." Dr. Malan answered, "Come to him just as you are." He little thought that these words would inspire a song that, bringing sweet counsel and comfort to troubled hearts, would lead many to accept the risen Christ as their personal Saviour.

Just when the hymn was written is not known, but in 1836 it was first published anonymously. It found its way into scrap-books, and some years later a philanthropic lady had the words printed in a leaflet, and circulated through the cities and towns of England. Miss Elliott was at Torquay, Devonshire, under the care of an earnest Christian physician. He placed one of these leaflets in her hands. "The surprise and pleasure were mutual when she recognized her own hymn, and he discovered that she was the author."

One Sunday evening in 1895, a young lawyer who had scoffed at religion, was lying ill in his room near the Lenox Road Methodist church in Brooklyn. He was thinking of his wasted life and his godly parents, whose teachings he had ignored. The windows were open, for it was a warm evening, and these words came home to him through the stillness:—

"Just as I am, without one plea But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come! "Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come! "Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt,— 'Fightings within and fears without,' O Lamb of God, I come! "Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind,— Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need, in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come! "Just as I am, thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come! "Just as I am, thy love I own Has broken every barrier down; Now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come!"

And he came. The next morning he sent for the pastor of the church. Holding out his hand to the minister, and, with eyes full of tears and a voice choked with emotion, he said, "I want to tell you that I have found Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of my soul." Then he told of hearing the song, of his sleepless night, of his struggle, and of the surrender.

Many incidents might be given, showing the comfort and help which this hymn has brought to weary hearts. Doubtless Rev. H. V. Elliott, a brother of the author, was warranted in saying, "In the course of a long ministry, I hope I have been permitted to see some fruit of my labors, but I feel that far more has been done by a single hymn of my sister." After Miss Elliott's death, more than one thousand letters were found among her papers, thanking her for writing "Just as I Am."

"A good example before one's neighbors' children is the most potent power for good. It far excels words; and a bad example destroys more than every other agency can build up."