The Story Behind

The story of Joseph Scriven, 1819-1886 (The writer of "What A Friend We Have In Jesus")

Born: September 10, 1819, Seapatrick, County Down, Ireland.
Died: August 10, 1886, Port Hope, Ontario, Canada.
Buried: Pengally Cemetery, near Port Hope, Ontario, Canada.

A true friend loves and accepts us just as we are -- stays close to us in good or in bad times, and is always ready to help in time of need. Because the author of this hymn text found just such a friend in his Lord Jesus, he decided to spend his entire life showing real friendship to others.

Joseph Scriven had wealth, education, a devoted family, and a pleasant life in his native Ireland. Then unexpected tragedy entered his life. On the night before Scriven's wedding, his fiancee drowned. He moved to Canada in 1846. There he taught in Woodstock and Brantford, Ontario, and was a tutor for the Pengelly family near Bewdley. It was there he met and became engaged to Eliza Roche, a relative of the Pengellys. In what seems too amazing to be coincidence, Eliza died shortly before their wedding.

In his deep sorrow, Joseph Scriven realized that he could find the solace and support needed only in his dearest friend, the Lord Jesus. Soon after this tragedy, Scriven dramatically changed his lifestyle. He determined to devote all of his extra time in being a friend and helper to others. He often gave away his clothing and possessions to those in need, and he worked, without pay for anyone who needed him. Scriven became known as "the Good Samaritan of Port Hope."

When Scriven's mother became ill in Ireland, he wrote a comforting letter to her, enclosing the words of his newly written poem with the prayer that these brief lines would remind her of a neverfailing Heavenly Friend. Sometime later, when he himself was ill, a friend who came to call on him happened to see a copy of these words scribbled on scratch paper near his bed. The friend read the lines with interest and asked, "Who wrote those beautiful words?" "The Lord and I did it between us," was Scriven's humble reply.

What a friend we have in Jesus

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!