by Kurt Stricker

Created on: October 10, 2008   Last Updated: February 25, 2012

How often have you attended a church service, wedding, or funeral and heard (or sang) a classic church hymn? There are many to choose from, but only a few are beloved. This handful of cherished legends have inspired worship and brought comfort to millions for decades.

What most of us don't know are the tragic stories behind the creation of these old songs, the circumstances that inspired authors to pen their devotion, exhortation, and lamentations. Some writers never intended their works to become published.. Horatio Spafford, after the death of four daughters, created the lyrics to "It Is Well With My Soul" while traveling by the place where they had drowned.

Wanting to encourage his mother during a very sad time in her life, Joseph Scriven wrote her a poem entitled "Pray Without Ceasing". It would, later, become the most published hymn ever under the title "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". Years after a near-death experience at sea John Newton, a former slave trader, penned the words to "Amazing Grace".

Is it a coincidence that the most loved hymns were written from such woeful dilemmas? Perhaps only the touch of God, combined with a lowly participant, can bring forth jewels of such greatness. Maybe it takes a spirit broken by the fire that life itself can only bring to induce the creativity God will exalt. While most are ignorant of the origins of traditional hymns this small collection has become sacred among the masses.

"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"

Joseph M. Scriven was to be married in 1845. On the eve of his wedding his fiance attempted to ride a horse across a bridge to meet him on the other side of a river. As she made her way she was thrown from her horse and plunged to the river below. She drowned as he watched in horror. Stricken with grief, he left his homeland of Ireland for Rice Lake and, later, Port Hope in Ontario, Canada, at the age of 25.

He fell in love and was engaged to be married again, but tragedy ensued when his fiance became stricken with pneumonia and died. While living in Canada, he unselfishly did tasks for the sick and elderly, often for free, and consequently his own finances went into decline. His mother, living in Ireland, became sick from mourning at her son's misfortunes. It was then he wrote her a poem entitled "Pray Without Ceasing". It was meant to encourage her.

Over time his own health became an issue, also. While caring for Joseph a neighbor found a copy of the poem. "The Lord and I did it between us" he replied

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