In the Sweet By and By
Fillmore Bennett (1836-98) in his
autobiography described how the
hymn was written. Joseph Webster,
like many musicians was of sensitive
nature and subject to mood swing.
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 to me like
a flash and I replied, “The Sweet
By and By! 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 & jotted down
the notes. Then we sang the hymn.
Lord, thanks 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). Amen.
Lord, thank You for the magnificent
mansion You are building for me
in heaven. Thanks that I’ll live with
You in a perfect place for all eternity.
Thank You for the promise that You
will escort me to my heavenly home.
Thank You for giving me eternal life.
Though this life is filled with trouble,
I know that I’m only passing through.
Grant me an eternal mindset so that
I can endure temporal difficulties
that may come my way. Amen.
Lord Jesus, thank You for taking the
fear of death away from each of 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, for U took both
sin and the curse upon Yourself. And
when You rose from the dead, You
cleared the way for our resurrection.
Thank You Lord for Your completed
work of redemption and forgiveness,
paving way for our beautiful future.
In gratitude, we purpose to live for
You with Your Spirit enabling. 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.
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.
To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And blessings that hallow our days.