7 March 1789. Charlotte Elliott, the author of “Just as I
Am,” was born.
Dr.
Rusten tells the story. Rusten, E.
Michael and Rusten, Sharon. The One Year
Christian History. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2003.
Ms.
Elliott was born to a Church of England manse.
Her grandfather was the Evangelical Anglican cleric, Henry Venn. Her father and brother were Church of England
clerics.
She
suffered ill health her entire life, including bodily pain but also bouts of
depression.
Dr.
Caesar Malan, a Swiss minister and family friend, asked her one day about her
faith. She was upset and defensive. She inquired how she might be saved and come
to Jesus. Dr. Malan said, “Just as you
are.”
She
penned the hymn and published it anonymously. The hymn gained popularity in
England. Billy Graham, a century later,
would popularize it in his crusades.
It
remains in the 1982 Episcopal Hymnal, number 693. Let’s raise a toast to Ms.
(PB) Schori. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2VrRk4pZHY
1. 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, I come.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Just as I am, thy love unknown
hath broken every barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
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