The author has given the origin of the hymn as follows:
A party of young friends over whom I was watching with anxious hope attended a meeting in which details were given of a revival work in Ireland. They came back greatly impressed. My fear was lest they should be satisfied to let their own fleece remain dry, and I pressed upon them the privilege and responsibility of getting a share in the out-poured blessing. On the Sunday following, not being well enough to get out, I had a time of quiet communion. Those children were still on my heart, and I longed to press upon them an earnest individual appeal. Without effort words seemed to be given to me, and they took the form of a hymn. I had no thought of sending it beyond the limits of my own circle, but, passing it on to one and another, it became a word of power, and I then published it as a leaflet. Of its future history I can only say the Lord took it quite out of my own hands. It was read from pulpits, circulated by tens of thousands, and blessed in a remarkable degree. Every now and then some sweet token was sent to cheer me in a somewhat isolated life, of its influence upon souls. Now it would be tidings from afar of a young officer dying in India and sending home his Bible with the hymn pasted on the flyleaf as the precious memorial of that which brought him to the Lord. Then came the story of a poor outcast gathered into the fold by the same means. Then came to me a letter given me by Mr. E. P. Hammond, which he had received, and in which were the words: “Thank you for singing that hymn ‘Even Me,’ for it was the singing of that hymn that saved me. I was a lost woman, a wicked mother. I have stolen and lied and been so bad to my dear, innocent children. Friendless, I attended your inquiry meeting; but no one came to me because of the crowd. But on Saturday afternoon, at the First Presbyterian Church, when they all sang that hymn together, those beautiful words, ‘Let some drops now fall on me,’ and also those, ‘Blessing others, O bless me,’ it seemed to reach my very soul. I thought, ‘Jesus can accept me—“even me”’ and it brought me to his feet, and I feel the burden of sin removed. Can you wonder that I love those words and I love to hear them sung?”
The original rendering has in a variety of instances been departed from. To some alterations I have consented, but always prefer that the words remain unchanged from the form in which God so richly blessed them. The point of the hymn, in its close and individual application, is in the “Even me” at the end of the verse. I thankfully commit them to whoever desires to use them in the services of our blessed Master.
MUSIC. EVEN ME. For comments on the composer, Wm. B. Bradbury, see [Hymn 103].
PURITY AND UPRIGHTNESS
205. Blest are the pure in heart
J. Keble, 1792-1866 and others
A hymn of the simple, pure life. Purity of heart has a wider meaning than the specific virtue of chastity. Stanzas 1 and 3 are from Keble’s, The Christian Year, 1827. Stanzas 2 and 4 are from the New Mitre Hymn Book, 1836, and their authorship is uncertain. Some think they are from the pen of the editor of the book, W. J. Hall, or of the co-editor, Edward Osler.
For comments on John Keble see [Hymn 22].
MUSIC. FRANCONIA is from a book compiled by Johann Balthasar König, Harmonischer Lieder-Schatz, Frankfurt-am-Main, 1738, where it is set to the hymn, Was ist, das mich betrübt? The original melody may have been by König himself.
The present tune, arranged by Rev. W. H. Havergal, has become one of the best known Short-Meter (6.6.8.8.) tunes.