March 18, 2005

I Must Tell Jesus

Words and Music by Elisha Albright Hoffman, 1839-1929

   But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! 2 Timothy 4:17, 18.

    A minister’s son, Elisha Hoffman attended Union Seminary in New Berlin, Pennsylvania, and was ordained in 1868. Afterward, he worked with the Evangelical Association’s publishing arm in Cleveland, Ohio for 11 years. He pastored in Cleveland and Grafton, Ohio, in the 1880s; at the First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan, around the turn of the century; and in Cabery, Illinois (1911-1922). In his lifetime, he wrote over 2,000 Gospel songs.
    In telling of writing I Must Tell Jesus, Hoffman says:
    There was a woman to whom God had permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. Coming to her home one day, I found her much discouraged. She unburdened her heart, concluding with the question, “Brother Hoffman, what shall I do?” I quoted from the word, then added, “You cannot do better than to take all of your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus.”
    For a moment she seemed lost in meditation. Then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, “Yes, I must tell Jesus.” As I left her home I had a vision of that joy-illuminated face . . . and I heard all along my pathway the echo, “I must tell Jesus. I must tell Je­sus.”
    Hoffman wrote these words after reaching home.

    Hymns by Elisha Hoffman include:

• Are You Washed in the Blood?
• Down at the Cross
• Down Low at My Redeemer’s Feet
• Draw Me Closer, Lord, to Thee
• Enough for Me
• Give Him the Glory
• I Must Tell Jesus
• Is It Not Wonderful?
• Is Thy Heart Right with God?
• Is Your All on the Altar?
• It Is Mine
• Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
• Lord I am Fondly, Earnestly Longing
• Lord Is Coming By and By, The
• No Other Friend Like Jesus
• Over the Rolling Sea
• Power for Service
• Speed the Light
• What a Wonderful Savior!
• Where Will You Spend Eternity?
• Would You Know Why I Love Jesus?

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior;
One Who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share.

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the victory to win.

Chorus:
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.