Hymn Spotlight: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Today we look at the poignant story behind the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Written in 1855 by Joseph Scriven, the hymn is sung and treasured by many to this day. It speaks of the comfort found in Jesus as a compassionate Friend in times of sorrow and encourages believers to bring their burdens to Him in prayer. The hymn is widely recognized today, but the story behind its creation is not as commonly known. Joseph Medlicott Scriven was born in 1819 in Northern Seapatrick, Ireland, to a wealthy, religious family. After attending Trinity College in Dublin, Joseph's life took a tragic turn. The evening before his wedding, his fiancée was thrown off of her horse into the River Bann, to her death. Devastated by the loss, Scriven left Ireland and traveled to Canada in 1845, taking up residence in Port Hope, Ontario. From that point on, Scriven lived a life dedicated to service to God and man. When he was 25, he took on poverty, sold all of his belongings to help those...