"Just As I Am"

Jesus said in the 22nd chapter of the book of Revelation:  "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

When my husband was traveling in the field of evangelism, and when we were pastoring, he often used this beautiful invitation hymn.
I was glad to learn about the story behind the song in an article by Horace B. Powell.

     "This marvelous hymn by Charlotte Elliott has been blessing humanity for over 100 years.  Dr. Dwight L. Moody, the great American evangelist, said that it had touched more hearts and brought more souls to Christ than any other hymn ever written.

      Miss Elliott, who was born in London in 1789, has been called England's greatest woman hymnist.  She lived to be 82, but most of her life she was an invalid and suffered severely.  "Just As I
Am" was written in 1836 and first appeared in the Christian Remembrancer, of which Miss Elliott was the editor.

      "Just As I Am" was written in the midst of pain and tribulation, and its power as a soul-winning hymn lies in the fact that it was born of Miss Elliott's own spiritual experience and conversion.  Though her parents were Christians, Charlotte Elliott never had found true peace with God.  She could not bring herself to accept the Christian doctrine of salvation and redemption.

      It was Dr. Caesar Malan, a prominent Swiss preacher, who helped Miss Elliott to find Christ.  Dr. Malan was visiting in the Elliott home in 1822 and discovered her spiritual unrest.  In discussing her spiritual perplexities, he told her -- 'You must come just as you are, a sinner, to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.'

      Miss Elliott never forgot that sermon.  Every year from then on she celebrated the anniversary of the day on which Dr. Malan led her to Christ.  One night, 14 years later, when her illness kept her from sleep, she recalled and pondered the words which Dr. Malan had spoken many years before.  In a flash, the hymn message came to her and she arose and wrote the words that have helped so many others to find this blessed salvation"

"Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me.
     And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come!  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!  I come!

 Just as I am, tho' 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, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve.
     Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God!  I come!  I come!

 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!"

             Perhaps Jesus is calling you today -- "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy
      laden, and I will give you rest."  I pray that you will answer --
                                               "O Lamb of God!  I come I come!"