"Welch ein treuer Freund ist Jesus" - J. M. Scriven

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 "What A Friend We Have in Jesus", translated into German by A. Flamman ("Welch ein treuer Freund ist Jesus), is part of the Choirs' repertoire. The post we share, brings information about the hymn lyrics' author. Did you know it all?

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Joseph Medicott Scriven, a poet and the author of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", was born in Ireland (in 1819). The man planned a military career, but his poor health made him quit his studies at a military college.
In 1844, Joseph's fiancee drowned (in an accident) on the day before their wedding. In the same year, Scriven moved to Ontario, Canada, where he worked as a teacher at a private school and was also a preacher.

In 1860, the man was to be married again. It did not happen, though as his fiancee died of pneumonia.
After that, Scriven did odd/temporary jobs only. As an active member of Plymouth Brethren, he tried to live his life following the Sermon on the Mountain as well as he could. 

J. M. Scriven donated all his means and belongings to the poor, needy, and sick, and helped them doing various work. Scriven preached on streets and in taverns as well. Having no place of his own, he lived at friends' homes.

The man suffered from depression and his health deteriorated. On August 10, 1866, he was found dead in the spillway of a grist-mill. The circumstances of his death (by drowning) are not clear.
 
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In 1865, "What a Friend We have in Jesus" first appeared in print (unsigned) in a collection of "Social Hymns". The tune  was written by Charles C. Converse in 1868.
 

Source:
hymnary.org,
Scriven's biography

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The hymn sung by the German Choirs of Fredericksburg, TX

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