Just Thinking.........Again

The story of Joesph Scriven.

Joseph Scriven was born in Ireland in 1819 and lived the first 26 years of his life there.  He attended Trinity College and received a degree.  Soon after graduation he fell in love with a girl from his hometown.  Two years later they became engaged to be married.  On the evening before their wedding day the bride to be was thrown from her horse while crossing a bridge and drowned in the river in full view of her lover who was waiting on the other side. 

After this sad event in Joseph's live he emigrated to Canada.  He settled at Rice Lake in Ontario.  Joseph fell in love again and in 1854 he was to be married to Miss Eliza Roshe.  Miss Roshe became seriously ill and after 3 years, she passed away. 

Later in life, a neighbor was sitting with Joseph because he was sick.  This neighbor happened across a poem written by him and asked him about it.  Joseph said he wrote the poem for his mother to comfort her in a time of special sorrow.  He didn't intend for anyone to read it

Many believe the grief of his mother was her sorrow for her son.  Not a lot is known about Joseph.  He was a private man.  However, many have attested to his thoughtfulness and generosity.  Some say he gave away nearly all that he had for the needs of others. 

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs 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 thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In his arms he'll take and shield thee;

Thou wilt find a solace there.

The encyclopedias say that we don't much about Scrivener's life.  I believe we can learn a lot from him from the words of his poem.  He was a devout man who had his eyes on the Lord.  He knew real pain and sorrow in this world.  

Joseph found a friend in Jesus and found the place where he could take his pain and grief.  The sadness of his life produced a testimony that lived on.  He had no idea the poem he penned for his mother would be still be sung in churches everywhere 150 years later.  This was the only known poem from Joseph Scrivner who died in 1886 at the age of 66.

Just Thinking.

Doug