CHARLOTTE ELLIOTT, the gifted writer of the well-known Hymn, “Just as I am,” was born 18th March, 1789, and died September 22nd, 1871.   From the early years she was more or less an invalid, and consequently her life was one of much seclusion, offering but few incidents and little variety.  Her life was a hidden one.  She had a strong will, but this became gradually subdued, as her religious principles deepened.  Her temperament was eminently poetical; and her tender sympathy in every joy or sorrow of those whom she loved is fully testified in many of her letters and poems.  She was always exceedingly fond of music, with a very fine and delicate ear; and it was only the continual interruption if ill health that prevented the successful development of this talent, as well as the kindred accomplishment of drawing, for which she showed much taste and aptitude.  In younger years her voice blended sweetly with the family choir, and to the close of life her enjoyment of music was exquisite. 

There was a period. . .when her remarkable talents and accomplishments made her a welcome guest in circles where she met some of the most brilliant wits and writers of the day.  To one of her temperament such society as this had an almost irresistible fascination.  But there was an absence of religion, if not hositility to it, in many of those with whom she was thus brought into connecton, so as to endanger that higher spiritual life, of which even then she was conscious.  But He who had loved her with an everlasting love, and who well knew how perilous a snare this would prove to her, was pleased to lay her on a bed of sickness, and thus to withdraw her from the scene of danger and temptation.  This was in the year 1821.

Then followed a period of much seclusion and bodily distress, from the continuance of feeble health.  Her views, too, became clouded and confused, through an introduction to religious controversy, and the disturbing influence of various teachers, who held inadequate notions of the efficacy of Divine grace.  She became deeply conscious of the evil in her own heart, and having not yet fully realised the fulness and freeness of the grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ, she suffered much mental distress, under the painful uncertainty whether it were possible that such an one as she felt herself to be could be saved.  On the 9th of May, 1822 Miss Elliott was introduced to Dr. Caesar Malan of Geneva and God used this spiritual physician to graciously provide her with a teacher fully adapted to her necessities.  For as long as Dr. Malan lived, commemorative letters passed from the one to the other as upon the birthday of her soul to true spiritual life and peace. 

Dr. Malan, as a skilful spiritual physician, had carefully probed the wound, and led her to the true remedy for all her anxiety,–namely, simple faith in God’s own Word.  He showed her the fulness and freeness of the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Spirit of God accompanied his teaching.  The burden was lifted off that weary spirit; and from that ever memorable day, Charlotte’s spiritual horizon became for the most part cloudless.  Her constant testimony was:  “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

The blessed truths of the Bible laid hold of her mind irresistibly.  She found there a more satisfying and elevating exercise for her thoughts, than in the highest efforts of human genius.  The graphic power of the historical and biographical narratives, the dissection of character, the full development of Divine providence in all, created an interest in her mind that she had never equally experienced from the ordinary histories of mankind.  Then the drapery, too, the brilliant imagery, the word painting, the rich orientalism of the poetry, and the colouring of the whole, so rich, and yet ever so true to nature, surpassed in her estimation all human compositions.

These lines were written in her own private Bible:

“Dig deep in this precious golden mine,
Toil, and its richest ore is thine;
Search, and the Saviour will lend His aid
To draw its wealth from its mystic shade;
Strive, and His Spirit will give thee light
To work in this heavenly mine aright.
Pray without ceasing, in Him confide,
Into all truth His light will guide.”

Charlotte Elliott found the words of the Holy Book spoke to her own soul with such power, accurately dissecting her inmost thoughts, and revealing the dealings of God with herself that she set forth from that time to the end of her life, the Bible was her principal study, her most delightful companion and by day and by night her most unceasing meditation.  She could say, as few others could, “The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

From this time on, her poetical talents became consecrated to God. . .and counting all things but loss which were once gained, she devoted all the efforts of her pen to one object–the glory of God and the benefit of others.

                           “Just as I am.”

“Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”
                                                              John 6:37

Just as I am–without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st 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—though toss’d about,
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without–
                       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 unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone–
                       O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am–of that free love,
The breadth, length, depth, and bright to probe,
Here, for a season, then above–
                        O Lamb of God, I come!
                                                                  C.E.

Excerpts and Selections from the Poems of Charlotte Elliott