Irishman Joseph Scriven was born in 1819 and graduated from Trinity College, Dublin. Things seemed to be going well - he fell in love with a young woman and they planned to marry.

But tragedy struck. The evening before the wedding, his bride drowned.

Following this, Joseph moved to a teaching post in Port Hope, Canada, but sadness followed him. He again became engaged and once more, just before the wedding his bride became ill and died.

In 1855 his mother in Ireland also became ill and to encourage her, he wrote the following poem:

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry, ev'rything to God in Prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, ev'rything 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.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised, Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing, all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded, there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship, will be our sweet portion there.

Such words would be easy for Joseph to write; he knew sorrow and pain. His whole life had been devoted to caring for the sick and needy. But in the end it all became too much; his spirit and finances went into steep decline.

Late one night, 10th August 1886, poor Joseph was deeply depressed. He was left alone whilst a friend stayed in an adjoining room. Later, when the friend went to check Joseph was all right, he was surprised to see the room empty. A search was made but it wasn't until the middle of the next day Joseph's body was found, lying in some water. To this day, we do not know if his death was an accident or suicide.