I'll Be a Friend to Jesus

This hymn was written in 1922 by Rev. Johnson Oatman and composed by J.W. Dennis (1866-1947). Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856–1922) wrote lyrics for thousands of gospel songs. His most famous hymn was “Count Your Blessings.” This year marks the 100th anniversary of his death. Oatman, the son of Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman, was born April 21, 1856, near Medford, New Jersey, where his father was a merchant.