Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1895-08-15
g JUST AS | AM. y
ORIGIN OF THE BEAUTIFUL. IN.
SPRING HYMN
That Has Such Widespread Fame: How
Miss Charlotte Elliot Became
Christian.
RofOrrn Ch1rob Pooor1

More than half a century ago,
in the year 1886, a young girl,
Miss Charlotte Elliot, was pre-
pairing for grand ball, to be
given in her native town. Full
of gay anticipation, she started
out one day to her dressmaker
to have a fine dress fitted for the
occasion. On her way she met
her pastor, an earnest. faithful
man, and in the greeting which
passed between them he learned
her errand. He reasoned and
expostulated, and finally plead
with her to stay away from the
ball. Greatly vexed, she an
swered, Il wish you would mind
your own business" and went on
her wayward course.
In due time the ball came off,
and this young lady was the gay
est of the gay. She was flat
tered and cares sed, but after
dancing all night, laying her
weary head on her pillow only
with returning light, she was far
from happy. In all the pleas
ures there had been d thorn, and
now conscience made her
wretched. Her pastor had al
ways been a loving, cherished
friend, and her rudeness to him
ranked in her breast. More
than all, the truth of his words
came to her heart. and would
give her no rest. After three
days of misery. during which
life became almost insurporta-
BILE, she went to the minister
with her trouble, saying:
For three days have [ been
the most wretched girl in the
world, and now, oh, that [ were
a Christian [ want to be a
Christian? What must 1 do?"
We need-not be told that the
pastor freely forgave her for
her rudeness to himself, nor
that he joyfully directed her to
the source of peace.
Just give yourself" my child
to the Lamb Of God just as you
are"
This was new gospel to her
she had never comprehended il
| before.
What. Just as I am?" she
asked, "Do you know that am
one of the worst sinners in the
world? How can God accept me
just 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 left over
Whelmed as the simple truth
took possession of her mind. She
went to her room, knelt down
and offered God her heart, guilty
and evil as it was, to be cleansed
and made fit for his own indwell.
ing. AS she keelt, PEACEFUL,
rverfowing-flled her soul. In
spired by the new and raptuous
experienced, she then and there
wrote the hymn beginning:
"Just as I am. without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
Il l. l., 4 ls,4. IL
o Lamb of God, l come"
| Little did Charlotte Elliot
think of fame or of the immortal.
ity of the words she had written.
It was simply putting her heart
on paper; and therefore the
hymn, born of a mysterious ex-
perience, appeals to other hearts
needing the cleansing power OF
the blood of the Lamb.
Charlotte was possessed OF
literary gifts and when the editor
of Literary Remembrances died.
she took charge. In making up
her first number, she inserted
several of her Own poems annony-
mously;among them was ''Just
as I am." It Immediately attrac>
ted attention, was widely copied,
and passed into the hymnology
| of the Christian Church.
This hymn has given consola-
ton to millions of anxious people.
Like the author many think they
are too vile to come to God, but
must wait until they have become
better. In the hymn Miss Elliot
expresses the true way of come
acceptably to God.
Light Heavy" Weight.