What A Friend We Have In Jesus
The hymn ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus‘ is a hymn which has been sung and cherished by many, many people down across the years. The story behind is probably familiar, but I wanted to share it here once again, piecing together the story from different writers. Here it is:
“Joseph Scriven was born into a wealthy, devout family in Northern Seapatrick, Ireland, in 1819. He completed his education at Trinity College, Dublin. Scriven’s life took a tragic turn in 1844, just before his marriage. His fiancée was thrown from her horse and drowned in the River Bann, the day before their wedding.” “One can imagine the dreams and hopes that they held for their future together. But tragedy shattered the happiness when, on the day before their wedding, his fiancée was drowned in an accident on the River Bann. Scriven arrived at the river a short time after the accident occurred but was too late to help her. He watched helplessly as others who had gathered carried her body away. He said, in regard to that day, ‘The bottom of my world seemed to disappear.’”
“Overwhelmed by grief, Scriven left Ireland for Canada in 1845, settling in Port Hope, Ontario.
In Canada, Scriven committed his life to God and service. At 25, he vowed poverty, sold his belongings, and helped those in need. He preached and read the Bible in community gatherings, taught school, and even cut wood for those who couldn’t pay. His commitment to service was noted by hymnologist Albert Bailey, who called him “the man who saws wood for poor widows and sick people who are unable to pay.”
“A decade after his first fiancée’s death, Scriven fell in love with Eliza Roach, niece of naval officer Robert Lamport Pengelly. However, tragedy struck again when Eliza died from pneumonia in 1860. Despite these losses, Scriven’s faith remained unwavering.
In 1855, Scriven penned a poem titled ‘What is this Friendship for Which We Long?’ to comfort his ailing mother in Ireland, never intending it for public eyes. However, after its publication with the music of Charles Converse in 1865 as ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus,’ it became one of the most beloved hymns worldwide.”
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear— All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!