The story behind the song
Elisha Albright Hoffman was born May 7, 1839 in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, USA. The son of an Evangelical minister, Hoffman grew up singing sacred hymns both in church and in the home with his parents. After completing high school, Hoffman furthered his education at Union Seminary in New Berlin, Pennsylvania, and was subsequently ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1868.
Following his seminary education, Hoffman began work with the publishing branch of the Evangelical Association in Cleveland, Ohio.
Pastor Elisha Hoffman loved the Lord and chose to show it by working to help people whom others would call the “down and out”. One day he was visiting a woman who was in great pain and very discouraged. Hoffman reminded the woman that she needed to tell Jesus about her problems. The verses that are said to have been used to help the woman included the following:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Psalm 55:22
She had completely forgotten this simple truth. For a moment she seemed lost in meditation. Then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, “Yes, I must tell Jesus.” She then started repeating the words over and over again, “Yes, I must tell Jesus.” On his way home those words rang in his ears and would not go away.
When he got back to his study, Elisha Hoffman quickly penned the words, and soon after the melody. He titles his new work, “I Must Tell Jesus.” In it, he expressed that we not only need to go to Jesus about our physical needs but also concerning the worldly temptations that allure us each day.
The hymn first appeared in 1894 in a hymnbook that Hoffman edited, “Pentecostal Hymns” and now has become one of the most loved hymns among Christians.
The Hymn
Verse One
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.
Verse Two
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.
Verse Three
Tempted and tried I need a real 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.
Verse Four
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.
