The Song and the Story
Irish born Joseph M. Screven (1819-1896) was 25 years old, in
love and to be married.
The day before his wedding his fiancé died in a tragic
drowning accident. Heartbroken, Joseph sailed from his homeland to start a new
life in Canada. While in Canada working as a teacher, he fell in love again and
became engaged to Eliza Roche, a relative of one of his students.
Once again, Joseph's hopes and dreams were shattered when
Eliza became ill and died before the wedding could take place.
Although one can only imagine the turmoil within this young
man, history tells us that his faith in God sustained him.
Soon after Eliza's death Joseph joined the Plymouth Brethren
and began preaching for a Baptist church. He never married, but spent the
remainder of his life giving all his time, money and even the clothes off his
own back to help the less fortunate and to spread the love and compassion of
Jesus wherever he went.
Around the same time that Eliza died, Joseph received word
from Ireland that his mother was ill. He could not go to be with her, so he
wrote a letter of comfort and enclosed one of his poems entitled What a Friend
We Have in Jesus.
Many years later a friend was sitting with Joseph, as he was
very ill. During this visit, the friend was very impressed when he ran across
his poems, including What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
As a result of this visit, almost 30 years after his letter
of comfort to his mother, Joseph's poems were published in a book called Hymns
and Other Verses. Soon thereafter, noted musician Charles C. Converse
(1834-1918) put music to one of those poems: What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
Well-known musician and revivalist Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908)
was a great admirer of Joseph Screven. In 1875, Sankey came upon the music and
words for What a Friend We Have in Jesus. He included it as the last entry into
his well-known publication Sankey's Gospel Hymns Number 1.
After Joseph Screven’s death, the citizens of Port Hope, Ontario,
Canada, where he gave so much of himself, erected a monument to his life.
The seemingly sad and obscure life of one man resulted in so
many lives being uplifted, both in his own time, and for many years after
whenever the beautiful and comforting words of What a Friend We Have in Jesus
are sung.
What a Friend We Have
in Jesus
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief’s 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.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens
bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for
prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion
there.
“Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life
for his friends.” (John 15:13)
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