I Must Tell Jesus

HYMN HISTORY:

The author and composer of this hymn, Elisha A. Hoffman, gives the following account of its writing:
During a pastorate in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, there was a woman to whom God 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? 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.”
Reaching his study, Rev. Hoffman penned the words quickly for what has become on of his best-loved hymn. And before very long, he had composed the melody to fit the words as well. The hymn first appeared in the 1894edition of Pentecostal Hymns, of which Mr, Hoffman was one of the music editors. The tune “Orwigsburg” is named
for Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, where Elisha Hoffman was born on May 7, 1839.

Elisha Albright Hoffman, though never formally trained in music, has contributed more than 2,000 gospel songs to Christian hymnody. For most of his hymns, Mr. Hoffman supplied both the words and the music. Several of his still
popular gospel songs include: “Are You Washed in the Blood?”, “Is Your All on the Altar?”, “What a Wonderful Savior!”, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and “Glory to His Name.”

In addition to his song writing and assisting in the compilation and editing of fifty different song books, Hoffman pastored several Evangelical and Presbyterian churches throughout the country. He also served with the Evangelical Association Publishing House in Cleveland, Ohio, for eleven years. It is through his gospel songs, however, that Elisha Hoffman ministered most effectively to the greatest number of people around the world.
~101 More Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck

Elisha Albright Hoffman - Lyrics & Music
1839-1929
Born: May 7, 1839, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.
Died: November 25, 1929, Chicago, Illinois.
Buried: Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.

I Must Tell 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! 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.


taken from Bible Study charts
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