Hymn History #1

Only one who has walked through dark valleys can truly grasp just how faithful a friend the Son of God is to frail mankind. Joseph Scriven left his mark on the Christian church, but only after tragedy had left its mark on him.

A native of Dublin, Ireland born in 1820, Joseph was a devoted member of Plymouth Brethren Church and graduate of Trinity College. A young man of good character full of aspiration, Scriven was engaged to marry a lady he had grown up alongside. Deeply in love, the couple made all preparations and soon their long-awaited ceremony was only a day away. But for Joseph, those dreams were suddenly dashed when his beloved fiancé was thrown from her horse and drowned in the River Bann.

Overcome with sorrow, Joseph became a wanderer and eventually immigrated to Port Hope, Canada where he would spend the remainder of his life. He quickly became a well-respected tutor and, in an unexpected turn, fell in love again around age 25. But Scriven’s joy would not last long, as tragedy once again stole his fiancé from him shortly before their wedding. This time, it was pneumonia that reared it’s ugly head and sucked the life out of his dear Elisa.

Utterly broken-hearted, Scriven sold all his possessions and took a vow of poverty. He dedicated his life to helping the financially destitute and physically disabled. He would refuse to chop wood for those who could afford to hire it done, replying “I only help those in need and ask nothing in return.” Joseph sought to overcome his sorrow by helping other’s overcome their needs.

Sometime later in life, a friend visited Joseph during a short illness. The visitor discovered a poem lying on the nightstand and questioned the sick man about it. Scriven admitted to being it’s author, saying "The Lord and I did it between us.” He had written the poem in 1855 for his mother, who was living alone in Ireland, with the hope of providing her with some spiritual comfort. He had not intended it for any other eyes, but thankfully for us, his lovely words have since been passed down through history and blessed thousands of believers. Originally titled Pray Without Ceasing, this poem has since become the well-beloved hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

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

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged

Take it to the Lord 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

In an ironic twist, Joseph Scriven himself drowned on October 10, 1886. Ill with fever, he was placed in a friend’s home to recover. His friend reported retiring from Joseph’s room around midnight to watch and pray from a nearby room. Stopping in to check on him a short time later, he was shocked to discover that the room was empty. In the midst of delirium, the hymn writer had wandered from his room and towards a nearby creek. He was found on his knees, face-down in a position of prayer, drowned in six inches of water. The well-beloved Port Hope citizen was buried beside his second fiancé, never having lived to see his song carried to the ends of the earth and translated into all major languages of the world.

Though Joseph Scriven experienced many tragic sorrows in his life, they only served to drive him closer to his dearest friend. May we too draw nearer to Jesus during our trials and temptations, seeking His peace during our pain.