Stories Behind the Songs

I MUST TELL JESUS

It was while he was a pastor in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, that the Rev. Elisha A Hoffman wrote, “I Must Tell Jesus.”

On the membership roll of the church was a lady who just seemed to be troubled with sorrows and trials all of the time. Because of this, Rev. Hoffman made a determined effort to visit with her more often than the others in the church, for he sensed her need of the prayer and the reading of the Bible which accompanied each of his visits. This did much to lift her spirits and lighten her load.

Coming into her home one day, he found that a new calamity had befallen her and she was chestfallen and oh, so discouraged! As she unburdened her heart to her pastor, and as she told him what had happened, she would wring her hands and exclaim, “Oh, Brother Hoffman, what shall I do? What shall I do?” When she had finished her tale of woe, Pastor Hoffman opened the Bible and began to quote verses of assurance, trust, and the faithfulness of God. After he had read a few of them, he remarked, “You see, my dear sister, God wants to bear all of these sorrows, whether great or small. The best thing we can do is to take them to Jesus. We must tell Jesus!” For a moment there was silence, and then with face aglow and her eyes shining she exclaimed, “Yes, Pastor, you are so right. I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!”

Pastor Hoffman said that he made no further pastoral calls that day, for in his heart was burning the phrase, “I must tell Jesus.” He knew it was a message the whole world should know, and what better way to send it forth than with a song. He went back to his church study and wrote, “I Must Tell Jesus” that very afternoon.

Song:

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.

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.

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 Saviour,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus:
He all my cares and sorrows will share.

What must I do when worldliness calls me?
What must I do when tempted to sin?
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the vict’ry to win.

Taken by permission from Hymn Histories
To order your book visit:
http://livinghymns.org/

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