By Warren Shiver

Elisha Albright Hoffman was born on May 7, 1839 in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. He was the son of devout German parents, Francis A. Hoffman and Rebecca A. Hoffman. Elisha was reared in a devout Christian home. The family’s day started with a devotion period, and since Elisha’s father was an ordained minister, he was taught to give God thanks for the blessing of life, pray for daily guidance and love the lost and pray daily for them. They ended the day the same way, with a devotion.

Elisha attended grammar school and was a very good student. He then entered high school in Philadelphia where he graduated at the top of his class. After high school, he entered Union Seminary, (The Evangelical Church Association) in New Berlin, Pennsylvania. He graduated and was ordained a minister in 1868. Elisha took a job with the Evangelical Church Association, working in the publishing division in Cleveland, Ohio for 11 years. After this job, he took a pastorate in Cleveland, Ohio and also a church in Grafton, Ohio in the 1880’s. He was called as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan around 1900.

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Reverend Hoffman was like his father in that he not only preached on Sundays but he visited and witnessed to the sick, lost and needy in his community. His final pastorate was in Cabery, Illinois from 1911-1922. In his time of devotion he would commune with God in thanksgiving and ask for divine leadership in all his Christian endeavors. He was blessed with the gift of hymn writing. He would get a thought in his mind and heart, and God would give him the words and the music for his hymns. He would immediately write down the verses and tunes, and the more he wrote, the more God seemed to bless with new inspiration.

Hoffman had moderately good pastorates with much success and he also did evangelistic work; revivals, conferences and conventions with great success. However, his hymns have blessed millions of people long after his death. In his lifetime he wrote over 2000 Gospel songs. He also edited over 50 songbooks. Three of his best books were The Evergreen; (1873), Spiritual Songs For Gospel Meeting and the Sunday School, (1878) and Pentecostal Hymns Number 1, (1894). One of the most popular songs that he wrote and is still sung around the world today is “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms.”

The hymn that I want to feature here is “I Must Tell Jesus.” The story has been told that while Reverend Hoffman was visiting in a community, he came upon a home that had been experiencing a lot of sorrow. The mother was distraught. She felt that she was at the end of her road and could not face another day. Reverend Hoffman tried to comfort her with Bible verses but to no avail. Elisha looked at her and said, "You can do nothing better than to take all your sorrows to Jesus." He told her softly, “You must tell Jesus.” She thought for a few minutes, and a smile came across her face. She cried, “Yes, I must tell Jesus.” Reverend Hoffman left for home with this phrase ringing in his ears, “I must tell Jesus.” As soon as he arrived home he wrote these words, and the rest is hymn history.

There are times in every Christian's life that they have no one to help them or no one to comfort them in times of sorry, grief, despair or when they are burdened about a lost child or family member. I have found comfort in this hymn many times and have received peace in my heart when singing it.


I Must Tell Jesus

Verse 1
I must tell Jesus all of my trails;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Refrain:
“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.”

Verse 2
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.

Refrain:

Verse 3
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.

Refrain:

Verse 4
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 vict’ry to win.

Refrain:

Stories Behind The Hymns is written by Warren Shiver of Biscoe, NC. Shiver has been fascinated with the true stories behind the hymns since he was a 12-year old attending East Gaffney Baptist Church in Gaffney, S.C. He began studying the stories behind the hymns in 1957. Warren has wrote two books, the first is a 300-page soft back, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories Vol. 1 costs $14.95, the second book, 340-page soft back, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories Vol. 2 costs $16.95. You may buy both books for $25.00. Warren may be reached by email at wshiver99@embarqmail.com, or by mail at PO Box 775, Biscoe, NC.27209, you may also purchase the books on his website www.myfavoritehymnstories.com. Shipping for both books is $4.00, for one book $3.00. If you would like for Warren to come speak at your church, Sunday school class or any meeting you may contract him at 910-428-9911 or 910-428-4078.