THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 213
and mind and keep abreast of the foremost Christians in your little church ; for if these men, either in their knowledge of Scripture, or their power to edify the people, once outstrip you, the temptation will arise among them to be dissatisfied with your ministry ; and, however good they are, they will feel their superiority, and others will perceive it too, and then your place in the church will be very difficult to hold. Mr. Spurgeon felt that spur useful. Mr. Elven seemed to have taken Matthew Henry for his model. He once preached for Mr. Spurgeon at New Park Street, and told with a merry laugh how a lady, when she saw his vast form in the pulpit, retreated, with the words, No, no ; the man has too much of the flesh about him, I cannot hear him. Mr. Spurgeon says, It was a very unjust judgement, for the dear man s great bulk was a sore affliction to him. Autobiography, i. 250.
Hymn 317. Just as I am, without one plea. CHARLOTTE ELLIOTT (1789-1871).
Miss Elliott s mother was the daughter of Rev. H. Venn, of Huddersfield and Yelling, the beloved friend of Simeon. After thirty- two years at Clapham, Miss Elliott moved to Brighton in 1823, and died there. In May, 1822, Dr. Caesar Malan, of Geneva, stayed at her father s house in Clapham, and ventured to ask her if she was a Christian. The young lady, who de lighted in music and drawing, had not much taste for religion, and seeing that she rather resented the question, he said that he would pray that she might give her heart to Christ, and become a useful worker for Him. At last she asked this friend how she might find Christ. Come to Him just as you are was the answer. She was soon at rest in her Saviour.
In 1834, her niece says, she was living at Westfield Lodge, Brighton, in a house long since pulled down. Her brother, Rev. H. Venn Elliott, had arranged a bazaar to raise funds for St. Mary s Hall, Brighton, a school where daughters of clergy men were to be educated. Miss Elliott was not able to help, and lay awake one night thinking of her uselessness. When all had gone to the bazaar next day, Bishop Moule says, The troubles of the night came back upon her with such force, that she felt they must be met and conquered in the grace of God. She gathered up in her soul the great certainties, not of her emotions, but of her salvation : her Lord, His power, His
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