Reformed
Hymns #69, 97.
Dr. Cesar Henri Abraham Malan was born at Geneva, Switzerland on July 7, 1787. He studied theology in that city and in 1810 at the age of 23 was ordained to preach, and yet at the time he was a stranger to the Lord Jesus Christ! He had been under the baneful influence of the French infidelity as propagated by Voltaire. In 1817 the grace of God met him and he was brought to the Savior, Whom he now began to serve in reality. This brought him into collision with dead orthodoxy and he was prohibited from preaching. Certain ones clave unto him and, while they did not leave the Established Church, met at his home and later in a chapel. From 1830 he made missionary journeys to other parts of Switzerland, and to Germany and Holland.
On a visit to England he was instrumental in bringing Charlotte Elliott (writer of “Just as I am”) to Christ. She had been self-righteous and resented his question as to her salvation. Later she was concerned about her soul, but did not know how to come to Jesus. Dr. Malan said to her, “Why not come just as you are?”—and that is what she did. No wonder then that she could write—
“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!”
The only two of Dr. Malan’s hymns in the Little Flock have the Lamb as their theme also. #69 celebrates the Lamb and the blood and rises up to praise. #97 has the same blessed theme, but looks on to the day of universal praise and worship.
On May 14, 1864 the Lord took His servant home where he can gaze upon the Lamb and “louder praises to Him bring.” How we ought to look upward with the desire to join that great company around the Lamb, for soon and suddenly shall the shout come!