The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-01
A HYMN AND IT'S AUTHOR.


at intervals it may hear repeated certain
musical strain. The bird, cut off from out
ward objects, soon begins to initiate, and
finally conquers the lesson, and learns to
pour forth the very notes of the familiar
melody.
How often are the sweetest voices of earth
thus cultured in some darkened room OF sui
fering. Such a voice was Charlotte Eli
otis. From early years she was an invalid,
necessarily compelled to lead quiet life,
although her fathers home was in Brighton,
one of the gayest seacoast towns of England,
where, during many months of the year, WIS.,
itors thronged, and owing to family connec-
tons, the young girl was in large circle of
distinguished friends. Music and drawing
were delights to Miss Elliott, aud her own
talents in this line were unusually fine, while
her keen intellect and accomplished CONVEX
sational powers and poetical skill made her
society attractive.
But ill-health laid its prohibition upon all
these beloved pursuits, and drew her still
more and more into the "darkened ROOM
Here she had time to look within her heart,
and through bodily distress the sight led to
much depression of mind and heart, until
an event occurred which became the turning
point of the spiritual life of this gifted at-
thor. DIR. Caesar Malan, of Geneva, was
guest of the family and became to Charlotte
Elliott spiritual father fully adapted to her
needs. From that time for forty years, his
constant correspondence was esteemed the
greatest blessing of her life, and the ami
versary of the date of his first visit was al
ways kept as a festal-day, and on that day
so long as DIR. Malan lived, letters passed
from one to the other as upon the birthday
of her soul to true life and peace. Those
who have heard DR.. Malan converse, or are
familiar with his writings, will readily COLI
ceive the meeting between him and this de-
spondent Christian. He was skiful phys
ician of souls, and the remedy which he
brought was the simple remedy of entire
faith in the very words of God. Taking
one promise after another, such as " lie chat
believeth in the Son hath everlasting life,
he showed the fullness and the freeness OF
the blessed gospel, and then with peculiar
tenderness pressed the point, "Wlll you
make God liar by refusing to believe his
own words? Under the teachings of this
man of God, Miss Elliott's soul entered into
peace and rest, which lasted, for the most
part, until the close of her long life of weary
weakness. Previous to this time, her tastes
had led her to spend hours with the finest
authors of the English language. The poets
especially were her delight. Following her
reverend friends advice, she laid aside for
time desultory reading, and began the care
full study of Gods Word, which became
heuceforth her most delightful teacher and
companion. Thus unconsciously was 0oa
preparing chosen servant for her appointed
hfe.work which was given to her thus. ~
dear invalid friend, Miss Herman, of Dublin,
died. and left her earnest request as dying
legacy to Charlotte Elliott, that she would
take up her yearly duty, which was the edi-
torship of "The Christian Remembrance
Pocket.Book," volume of texts, enriched
and illustrated by careful selections and
original poems, all tending to cultivate and
promote spiritual life.
Miss Elliott accepted this work, and con-
tinued it as long as she lived, thus sending
out from her chamber yearly message to
the busy dwellers in the outer world, words
prayerfully pondered, and weighty with the
,ower of Gods Spirit. The circulation OF
this yearly textbook SO greatly increased
that friend persuaded its author to revise
another attempt of Miss KS, "The lnVa-
lids Hymn. Book"
In complying with this request, Miss BIZ
lott added a number of her own poems, and
thus first gave to the world her heavenly
inspired hymn, which has since been trans
lated into so many strange tongues
'sJust as l am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
o Lamb Of God, come"
Quietly, even anonymously, this immortal
HYMN began its career. A lady was so struck
by it that she had it printed as little leatlet
and widely circulated, without an idea by
whom it had been written.
1t curiously happened, that while Miss
Elliott was at Torquay, under the care of
an emleent physician, he one morning placed
this leahet in her hand saying, 81 am sure
you will like this, and great was the aston
shment of both parties; Miss Elliott recog-
nzng her own poem; the doctor for the
first time learning that his patient was its
author.
The hymn seems originally to have been
written as response to the Saviours words
in John vi: 81, "Him that cometh to me,
will in no wise cast out" A burdened soul
hears these words, and out of the very depths
of a broken and contrite heart, believes the
promise, takes Jesus at his word, and con-
fdingly comes to him, with this cry of child
like faith,
go Lamb Of God, come"
Perhaps no one hymn contains more OF the
very essence of personal faith than this, and
it is not too much to say that no other has