Hymns of PraiseSample

Just as I am

Charlotte Elliott was the daughter of an English silk merchant. She had a happy childhood and a great life ahead of her until she experienced a physical breakdown in 1821 that left her an invalid for the rest of her life. Even worse for her was the spiritual fear and feeling of unworthiness that she daily experienced.

A Christian evangelist gave her much comfort and encouraged her to keep writing her poetry. One of her poems so impressed her sister-in-law that she arranged to have it published in the "Invalid’s Hymn Book" in 1836. The musician and publisher William Bradbury (who also composed the famous children’s song “Jesus Loves Me; This I Know”) was so struck by Charlotte’s poem that he composed the perfect tune for it. “Just As I Am, Without One Plea” had John 6:37 as its header: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

This little song, written by one so small and weak, has brought blessed peace of mind and heart to many millions of Christians. Through Jesus Christ all may know that they are loved and forgiven and those who believe it have it. If you lack Jesus, you have nothing. If you have Jesus, you have everything.

"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."

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