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I have found a Friend in Jesus- He's everything to me, He's the fairest of ten thousand, to my soul; the Lily of the Valley in Him alone I see all I need to cleanse and make me fully whole. In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay; He tells me every care on Him to roll.

He all my griefs has taken and all my sorrows borne. In temptation He’s my strong and mighty Tow’r; I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn from my heart, and now He keeps me by His pow’r. Though all the world forsake me and Satan tempt me sore, through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.

He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here, while I live by faith and do His blessed will; a wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear. With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill. Then sweeping up to glory I’ll see His blessed face, where rivers of delight shall ever roll.

REFRIAN         

He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star; He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

Charles William Fry was born to Mary and Abraham Fry, on May 30, 1838, in Whiltshire, England. Charles had 11 siblings, 6 died in infancy.  Charles did not attend school. His father took him to work and trained him to become a bricklayer and he became a successful builder. Charles, like his father, became fascinated with music and learned to play the violin, cello, piano, cornet, and harmonium. Later, he became a band director at a Wesleyan church. After resigning from the Wesleyan church, he went to the Methodist church, became a preacher, and helped start Christian Mission in Salisbury.  In 1858, Charles married Maria Waterman and they had 3 sons: Fred, Ernest and Bertram. Soon after the Salvation Army Community Center was opened in town, he and his three sons witnessed an attack on the building. They rushed to help stop the attack. The next day Charles and his boys brought their “weapons” - instruments and played outside the Community Center. Anytime a would-be attacker tried to attack, Charles and his sons would “beat up” the attackers with their instruments and then continue playing. Soon the Salvation Army founder and his family joined Charles and his boys, later forming the Salvation Army Brass Band. Charles is most known for his hymn, “I Have Found a Friend”. Charles contracted an infection and died of exhaustion due to the infection. He passed away on August 24, 1882.