Hymn History: Just As I Am
1822, Brighton, England: The glow of candlelight shone on the silver and cut glass in the Elliott dining room. Over the clink of forks and knives and the murmur of friendly chatter, the visiting preacher addressed a question to Charlotte. “Miss Elliott, if I may be so bold to ask—are you at peace with God?”
Stunned by the personal inquiry, Charlotte Elliott stared at Ceasar Malan. Abruptly, she snapped, “The state of my soul is none of your business, Mr. Malan!” A hush fell over the table as she rose and stalked from the room.
But Malan’s kind, direct question haunted the young woman. At last, hesitatingly, she sought the Swiss preacher out. After apologizing for her rudeness, she opened up to him, “Mr. Malan, I want to become a Christian, but I don’t know how. Must I not be less sinful before I come to Christ?”
“Miss Elliot,” he replied, “you must come just as you are, a sinner, to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.”
And she did.
14 Years Later: Charlotte Elliott sighed as she looked out the window. Her heart was not in her invalid’s room, but with her brother at his church. How she wished she could join in the activities that were going on to raise money for his school. Not just any school, but a school for the children of poor clergymen. But what could she do, a bedridden invalid? She fought against the ever-present feelings of discouragement.
As Charlotte lay there, her mind went back to the day of her salvation. She thought of Malan’s words, and how true they were. Her spirit lifted as she meditated on the glorious truth of salvation through Christ. The words of a poem began to fill her fertile mind. Quickly, she reached for pen and paper. “Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bid’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”
The words spilled out as she continued to write. “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, I come.”
God’s Grace in Charlotte Elliott’s Life
Though Charlotte Elliott lived to be 82 years old, her life was that of an invalid. In fact, it was her failing health that first led her to realize her need for the Savior. Formerly a popular “social butterfly,” her inability to find peace with God led to the unhappiness that Malan noticed; thus, his question to her that day in 1822.
But God gave Charlotte grace for each day. She wrote,
He knows, and He alone, what it is, day after day, hour after hour, to fight against bodily feelings of almost overpowering weakness, languor and exhaustion, to resolve not to yield to slothfulness, depression, and instability, such as the body causes me to long to indulge, but to rise every morning determined to take for my motto: ‘If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’
God used the 150 hymns Charlotte wrote to minister to many hearts, especially those of other invalids. She was able to extend to others the same comfort He gave to her. And as for being useful? Well, the sales from “Just As I Am” brought in more money than all the fund-raising efforts of her brother and his church!
Considered by many to be the greatest female hymnwriter of England, Charlotte’s masterpiece is “Just As I Am.” In its beautiful simplicity, it has been the cry of many a repentant sinner’s heart.
Just as I am, though tossed about, With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, 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, 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, I come.
Sources:
Osbeck, Kenneth W. 101 Hymn Stories. Kregel Publications, c. 1962.
Ryden, Ernest Edwin. The Story of Our Hymns. Public Domain.
