Just As I Am

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

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.

(Words by Charlotte Elliott, 1835. Music by William B. Bradbury, 1849)

So begins one of the most familiar old hymns–one which is most likely remembered because of its use as an “invitational song” at the close of many traditional church services and, most famously, in its use at the end of each service in the Billy Graham Crusades. Whether or not you know this hymn, you probably are not familiar with the history of its authorship and the story behind its writing. At least, I know I was not.

In his book My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns, Ira David Sankey writes, “Miss Charlotte Elliott was visiting some friends in the West End of London, and there met the eminent minister, Csar Malan. While seated at supper, the minister said he hoped that she was a Christian. She took offense at this, and replied that she would rather not discuss that question. Dr. Malan said that he was sorry if had offended her, that he always liked to speak a...