Although Elisha A. Hoffman had no training in music, the Lord had gifted him with natural musical ability. He was born in 1839 and developed an appreciation of hymns in his home. Both of his parents had good singing voices, and the family would sing hymns together as part of their morning and evening worship.
He attended Union Seminary in Pennsylvania and was ordained in 1868. He served as a pastor for more than sixty years in Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, thirty-three of those years as the pastor of the Benton Harbor Presbyterian Church in Michigan.
Hoffman wrote more than 2,000 hymns during his lifetime. He also composed the music for most of his hymns. “I Must Tell Jesus,” one of his most famous hymns, was written in 1893. Hoffman related the story behind this hymn to gospel-song composer Charles Gabriel:
While I was a pastor at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, I called one day at the home of a parishioner and found the lady in great distress and sorrow. Wringing her hands, she cried: ‘What shall I do—what shall I do?’ I replied, ‘You cannot do better than to take it all to Jesus—you must tell Jesus.’ For a moment she seemed abstracted in meditation, then her face glowed, her eyes lighted up, and with animation she exclaimed, ‘Yes, I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus!’ As I went from that sorrow-filled home a vision walked before me, a vision of a joy-illumined face, of a soul transformed from darkness into light, and I heard all along my pathway the echo of a tender voice saying, ‘I must tell Jesus!’
Hoffman left her home with those words ringing in his heart. As soon as he arrived home, he wrote the words of this hymn and composed the tune titled “Orwigsburg,” the name of his birthplace in Pennsylvania. “I Must Tell Jesus” was first published in “Pentecostal Hymns” in 1894.
As a pastor, Elisha Hoffman considered it part of his ministry to help people who were needy. His visit to this poor and discouraged woman resulted in a favorite hymn that reminds struggling believers that they don’t need to bear their burdens alone. Christ is there to help them along life’s journey with whatever needs they have and also to give them victory over worldly temptations. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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