In the Sweet By and By
Backgrounder: Fillmore Bennett
(1836-98) in his autobiography
described the composition of the
hymn: Joseph Webster, like many
musicians, was of sensitive nature
& subject to periods of depression.
And I found I could rouse him up by
giving him a new song to work on.
He came to my place in Wisconsin
walked down to the stove & turned
his back on me without speaking.
I was at my desk. Turning to him,
I said, “Webster, what’s the matter
now?” “It’s no matter,” he replied,
“it will be all right by and by.” The
idea of the hymn came me like a
flash and I replied, “The Sweet By
and By! Why would not that make
a good hymn?” Turning to my desk
I penned the words of the hymn as
fast as I could write. I handed the
words to Webster. Taking his violin,
he played the melody and jotted
down the notes. It was not 30
mins from the time I took my pen
before we were singing the hymn.
Lord,we thank U for secured future:
Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God, believe also
in Me. In My Father’s house are
many mansions…I go to prepare
a place for you. And if I go and
prepare for you, I will come
again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you
may be also (John 14:1-3).
Lord Jesus, U have taken the fear
of death away from us. The end
of our life here you have made
the beginning of the true life to
be with You enjoying life forever.
You free us from sin and from the
curse laid upon us, you took both
sin and the curse upon yourself.
When you rose from the dead, U
cleared the way for our resurrectn.
When out of weakness of human
nature I have fallen and sinned,
forgive me; for you have power
to forgive sins. When I am divested
of my body, may I stand before U
with my soul unspotted, cleansed by your precious blood, receive it
faultless with your gracious hands.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
There’s a land that is fairer than day
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
Refrain:
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed
And our spirits shall sorrow
no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing
of rest.
To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow
our days.