The story behind, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
Mr. Sankey, in his Life and Sacred Songs, says that author Joseph Scriven, was born in Dublin in 1820, was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and went to Canada when he was 25, and died there at Port Hope on Lake Ontario in 1886. His hymn "What a Friend we have in Jesus" was, according to Mr Sankey, discovered to be his in the following manner: 'A neighbour, sitting up with him in his illness, happened upon a manuscript of 'What a Friend we have in Jesus'. Reading it with great delight, and questioning Mr. Scriven about it, he said he had composed it for his mother, to comfort her in a time of special sorrow, not intending anyone else should see it.
"The Lord and I did it together" said Mr. Scriven. What a lovely explanation of the origin of this moving hymn, "The Lord and I did it together". What needless pain we bear, because we try to do it on our own, and things go wrong, and we give way to despair. It is a hymn for sufferers of all kinds. How many hearts it has comforted since, no one knows but the Lord.
The subject of the hymn is the friendship of Christ, which is a very precious one, especially to the lonely and those in need. The note of intimate fellowship is seen throughout, fellowship between Christ and His friends. The Saviour carries our sins and knows our weaknesses and shields our hearts. Simplicity characterises this beautiful hymn, which will ever be a favourite with children and all in need. Is there anything in the hymn, which a child cannot understand? No words need explanation here. How easily this hymn might have been lost in oblivion if that single piece of paper had been inadvertently destroyed.
Isaiah 48:18 - O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.
Proverbs 18:24 - One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Matthew 11:28 - Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
"The Lord and I did it together" said Mr. Scriven. What a lovely explanation of the origin of this moving hymn, "The Lord and I did it together". What needless pain we bear, because we try to do it on our own, and things go wrong, and we give way to despair. It is a hymn for sufferers of all kinds. How many hearts it has comforted since, no one knows but the Lord.
The subject of the hymn is the friendship of Christ, which is a very precious one, especially to the lonely and those in need. The note of intimate fellowship is seen throughout, fellowship between Christ and His friends. The Saviour carries our sins and knows our weaknesses and shields our hearts. Simplicity characterises this beautiful hymn, which will ever be a favourite with children and all in need. Is there anything in the hymn, which a child cannot understand? No words need explanation here. How easily this hymn might have been lost in oblivion if that single piece of paper had been inadvertently destroyed.
Isaiah 48:18 - O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.
Proverbs 18:24 - One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Matthew 11:28 - Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
