In the year 1836, a young lady was preparing for a great ball to be given in her native town. Full of gay anticipation, she started out to the dressmaker's to have her dress fitted. On the way she met a Christian friend, an earnest faithful man, and in the greetings which passed between them he learned her errand. He reasoned and expostulated, pleading with her to stay away from the ball. Annoyed and disturbed, she told him to mind his own business, and went her way.
In due time the ball came off, and this young girl was the gayest of the gay. She was flattered and caressed by all there; but after dancing all night she laid her head on her pillow with returning day, yet most unhappy. The real friend whom she had met had always been such a loving and cherished one, and the truth of his words came to her conscience and would give her no rest. After three days of misery, during which life became almost unbearable, she went to him with her trouble and to apologize for her rudeness.
She said, "For three days I have been the most wretched girl in the world, but I want to be a Christian. What must I do?"
We need not be told that he freely forgave her for her rudeness to himself, nor that he joyfully directed her to the true source of peace, telling her to come to the Lord Jesus Christ, just as she was.
This was a new gospel to her; and one which she had never contemplated before.
"What, just as I am?" she asked. "Do you know that I am one of the worst sinners in the world? How can God accept me as I am?"
"That is exactly what you must believe," was the answer. "You must come to Him just as you are."
The young girl felt overpowered as the simple truth took possession of her mind. She went home, knelt down, and sought that Savior whom she had slighted, telling Him of her guilt and vileness. As she knelt, peace, full, over-flowing, filled her soul. Inspired by her new and rapturous experience, she then and there wrote the hymn, so familiar to generations of Christians for almost a hundred years.
Has my reader had a similar experience to Miss Charlotte Elliott, to whom this incident refers? Three verses of the hymn run as follows:—
"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, poor, wretched, blind,
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee I 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."
The same Savior whom she sought and found still waits to be gracious, and will assuredly respond to the cry and utterance of everyone who feeling his or her guilt and burden of sin, will thus seek Him. His own word is,