What a friend we have in Jesus - The Story and the Hymn

Maybe if we began to sing hymns with understanding and an idea of the events that led to the authors writing the hymns, they would make more sense to us.

This hymn is the popular 'What a friend we have in Jesus". 

The author is Joseph Medlicott Scriven, (10 September 1819 – 10 August 1886).

The story:

Joseph was born on Sept. 10, 1819, in Ireland. His parents were financially comfortable so he was enrolled in Trinity College in Dublin where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree.

At the age of 25, He fell in love with a young lady who was eager to spend the rest of her life with him. However, on the day before their wedding, while crossing a bridge, she fell from a horse, and drowned in the water below. Joseph felt like the bottom of his heart disappeared and the horrors of tragedy hit him. 

In an effort to overcome his sorrow, he moved to Canada. He became highly regarded by the people of that area because he tutored some of the local children in their school work and served among the impoverished by cutting wood only for those who could not afford to hire him. It was there he met a wonderful young lady, Elisa Roche, and again found love. They had exciting plans to be married. However, tragedy raised its ugly head once again and she died of pneumonia few days before the wedding.

He later heard his mother was ill but he couldn't afford to return to Ireland so he wrote a poem. He thought the poem would, perhaps, bring some spiritual comfort to his Mom. Scriven had not intended that anyone else should see it.

After some time, Joseph became ill. A friend, came visiting, found the poem on the table by his bed and asked Joseph who wrote the poem. Scriven said, “The Lord and I did it between us.” 

On Aug. 10, 1886, Scriven was found dead. His body was pulled from a body of water near Bewdly, Ontario. His death remains an unsolved puzzle as to whether it was an accident or suicide. However, two monuments have been erected in his honor. Each has the first stanza of his song engraved on it.

Attorney and composer, Charles Crozat Converse added tune to the poem to make it a song. 

The Hymn:

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.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Proverbs 18:24: One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV).