By Darren Glenewinkel
A beloved favorite of Christians through the ages, this hymn has been of great comfort and help in diverse situations. Originally written to comfort his mother who was across the seas from him in Ireland, Joseph M. Scriven penned the words. He was born of prosperous parents in Dublin, Ireland in the year 1811. He was a graduate of Trinity College, located in Dublin.
At age twenty-five, Joseph Scriven decided to leave his native country so he could migrate to Canada. He left due to a twofold reasoning; the religious influence of the Plymouth Brethren and the accidental drowning of is fiancée the night before the scheduled wedding. After that tragedy, Scriven developed a totally different pattern of life, taking the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters five through seven very literally.
A freehearted and very submissive man, Scriven was seen working in the streets of Port Hope, Ontario with his sawbuck and saw. He gave freely of all his worldly possessions. After learning of his mother’s serious illness and his inability to be with her in far off Dublin, he penned the words to this hymn in a letter of comfort, not originally intending for them to be published. Sometime later Scriven himself was ill and a friend who came to visit saw the poem and asked if he had written the words. With modesty, Scriven replied "The Lord and I did it between us."
In 1869 a collection of poems was published. It was called Hymns and Other Verses. Joseph Scriven died of accidental drowning in 1857.
The composer of this hymn is Charles C. Converse, a well-educated versatile and successful Christian, with talents ranging from law to professional music. He wrote several articles under the pen name of Karl Reden. He is best known for the music of this hymn even though he had many works performed by leading American orchestras and choirs in his day. In 1865, this hymn was originally penned to comfort the soldiers involved in World War I. This tune was paired with the words to "When this Bloody War is Over." Alternate tunes are "Beecher" by John Zundel in 1870, and "Blaenwern" by Williams P. Rowlans in 1905.
In 1875, Ira Sankey discovered this hymn and included it in his well-known collection known as: Sankey’s Gospel Hymns, Number One. Later Sankey wrote, " The last hymn which went into the book became one of the first in favor."
An inspiring hymn of old this one has been used at funerals, hospital services, etc. A hymn of comfort to all who truly believe in Christ is this one of popular use in churches all across America and roundabout.
Bibliography:
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/a/wafwhij.htm
http:www.camalott.com/~ckirk/whatafriend.htm
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/s/c/scriven_jm.htm
http://www.webedelic.com/church/injesusf.htm
http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/printer.htm/3361414
Kenneth Osbeck, 101 Hymn Stories. Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 1983
Pictures: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/a/wafwhij.htm
