A ragged little street urchin in New York came to a city missionary with a torn and dirty piece of paper, on which was printed the following well-known hymn, written by Charlotte Elliot in 1836.
"Please, sir," he said, "Father sent me to get a clean copy like that."
The missionary learned that the poor boy's sister had loved to sing "Just as I am" and that the soiled and crumpled copy had been found in her pocket after her death. The father wanted to obtain a clean copy of the verses in order to have them framed.
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— 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, I own,
Has broken every barrier down:
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come!