The History of Great Hymns

Joseph Scriven of Northern Ireland brought this pain filled yet hopeful hymn to the page after a seeming unending life of tragedy. On two occasions, Joseph was engaged to be married and yet on both occasions, the bride to be died before the wedding took place (the first died on the night before the ceremony).

Seeking a fresh start, Joseph set to emigrate to Canada, yet he was forced to return home after only two months due to ill health. Poor health would blight his life from there on in. He did however move to Canada where he became a private tutor, only to experience the heartbreak of his second fiancée dying as previously mentioned.

Joseph’s faith never faltered however, so much so in fact that became known as the local ‘Good Samaritan’ of Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, helping the poor and needy at every opportunity.

The hymn began as a simple poem intended to bring comfort to Joseph’s dying mother (whom he was unable to travel to see due to his own ill health). It was never intended to be published, yet during Joseph’s last bout of illness, a visiting friend noticed the poem and asked as to who wrote it. Joseph replies in typical modesty, “The Lord and I did it between us.” The friend had it published in the local paper and as a testament to the overriding hand of God in all matters, that same local paper was used as parcel wrapping for an item destined for New York, USA. The recipient of the parcel noticed the poem on the paper and arranged to have it published.

German-American composer Charles Converse read the poem and composed the melody that sits wonderfully alongside the beautiful words of hope in Christ. Christ blessed these words by having this humble offering sent across the world for generations to echo its words of faith in Him.