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Hymn History | Just As I Am

9/26/2017

10 Comments

 
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"Just As I Am" was written by Charlotte Elliot in 1835, first appearing in the Christian Remembrancer, of which Elliott became the editor in 1836. The final verse is taken from Elliott's Hours of Sorrow Cheered and Comforted (1836).

Charlotte Elliot wrote this song about how to find salvation through Christ. It has been used by many as the call to the altar at the close of services, as it brings a quite simple message of sin, forgiveness, and salvation to all that turn from sin and trust in Jesus.

Charlotte spent the first 32 years of her life in Clapham, England. As a young woman, she was gifted as a portrait artist and a writer of humorous verse. Then, in her early thirties, she suffered a serious illness that left her weak and depressed. She was an invalid and suffered much during the last 50 years of her life. In 1823, she moved to Brighton. She was a member of the Church of England. Charlotte was confined to her home and unable to attend church services.

During her illness, a well-known preacher, Cesar Malan of Switzerland, came to visit her. He asked her if she had peace with God. She was facing many inner struggles because of feeling useless, and she resented the question. She refused to talk about it that day, but a few days later called Dr. Malan and apologized. She said she wanted to clean up her life before becoming a Christian. Malan answered, "Come just as you are." She gave her life to Christ that day. Some years later at age 45, Charlotte remembered those five words and began to write the seven verses of "Just As I Am" in 1834. In spite of being raised in a Christian home, she reflected on her conflicts and doubts and was unsure of her relationship with Christ. So she penned her words of assurance about Jesus loving her just as she was. William B. Bradbury composed music for her lyrics and published the song in 1849. This hymn has been translated into many languages all over the world. Tens of thousands of people have committed their lives to Christ during the playing of this hymn.

Miss Elliott wrote about 150 hymns and many poems, some of which were printed anonymously, with Just As I Am probably the best-known. Dr. Billy Graham wrote that the Graham team used this hymn in almost every one of their crusades. He said it presented "the strongest possible Biblical basis for the call of Christ." Hymnody historian Kenneth Osbeck wrote that "Just As I Am" had "touched more hearts and influenced more people for Christ than any other song ever written." Christian writer Lorella Rouster wrote, "The hymn is an amazing legacy for an invalid woman who suffered from depression and felt useless to God's service."

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_As_I_Am_(hymn)

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Just As I Am - Original Lyrics

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 toss'd about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, 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 unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
-O Lamb of God, I come
10 Comments
Michael Black
2/17/2022 18:12:58

He (CHRIST) received me … chose me… ordained me… filled me…
JUST AS I AM!!!

Reply
Russ link
6/12/2022 06:13:26

What a powerful song!

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Eti-etop Nathaniel
6/24/2022 16:38:03

Praise God!
He saved me. Others too will not escape this salvation.

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Collins Koech
1/14/2023 23:16:07

Accepting that we can't do anything more to earn salvation than to believe in Christ and Him Crucified.
This is the only response Christ expects of each of us.

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Elizabeth Slove
9/9/2023 21:21:42

This is the Hymn that brought me down the isle during church service after many years of seeking to have a closer relationship with My Heavenly Father. I was brought up Catholic, for which I'm thankful as it taught me much about God the Father, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit. I felt there was something missing so I sought a deeper relationship with The Father in order to get away from saying the same prayers and creeds that didn't mean much as an 18 year old. One day on my way to work I said a simple Prayer, "God, Please help me find you." I was invited to a Christian summer camp. After meeting many WONDERFUL Peopled Which always had there Bible. I was invited to another spring camp, same church. This was when the Lord said it was time. The sermon was Romans 6 and the Alter call Hymn was "Just as I am. The Holy Spirit said, "GO, what are you waiting for" I was Baptized at 11pm in the 45-50 degree temperatures of the Puget Sound. Washington State. This Amazing Hymn still brings tears to my eyes after 40 years of being a servant of the Loving and Merciful Most High God!!! May it be instrumental (no pun intended) in bringing countless others to the Lord!!!! ♥️

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na
2/4/2024 15:45:08

wonderful

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Mary Fisher
11/20/2023 05:13:59

Appreciated your comments and to hear of the wonderful testimony the Lord gave you. I too have a similar Catholic background and came to a personal relationship with Christ when I was 25 years old. This is one of my favorite hymns because it speaks to the heart and our experience. May I recommend a book that is being widely circulated now called the great controversy. It has been a great blessing to me and hopefully you too in your Christian walk. May God bless you as Psalms 16:11 says and Proverbs 4:18

Reply
Dennis Clark
3/27/2024 05:48:10

All praises be to God the father of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. The thank God for leading her to write such bless song of praise.

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Anne Townend
9/20/2024 16:43:45

Can anyone please help me understand adequately verse four of this song.
Thanks

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Steve Mullins
3/6/2025 14:33:37

Verse 4 is perhaps is the most honest of all of the verses for it accurately describes a person's true state of heart and mind, and recognizing that, comes to the Lord on his terms in humility. A wonderful state of heart and mind to be in.

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