Sanford Fillmore Bennett was born in New York in 1836. He was converted at a Methodist revival meeting. In 1864 he enrolled in the Wisconsin Volunteers and served as Second Lieutenant. Following the war, he resided in Elkhorn, Wisconsin and started a drug store. He also began the study of medicine and graduated from Rush Medical College in 1874.
Bennett enjoyed writing verses. He wrote a number of prose and poetry throughout his life.
Joseph Webster, the composer, was a music teacher and was recognized as the town’s leading musician. He studied music with Lowell Mason in Boston and spent several years in New York and Connecticut, teaching music and giving concerts. He was said to have been proficient in playing the flute, violin, and piano.
Because of his strong anti-slavery convictions, Webster moved to Elkhorn, Wisconsin, shortly before the outbreak of war. He is credited with more than one thousand musical compositions.
These two gentlemen met often in Bennett’s drugstore for friendly discussions. Bennett tells of how Webster, violin under his arm, dropped in to see him one quiet, winter afternoon. The two men had a mutual love of music and composed several tunes together; Bennett writing the words and Webster composing the music. Mr. Webster was of an exceedingly nervous and sensitive nature, and subject to periods of depression.
Bennett had learned his friend’s peculiarities so well, that on meeting him he could tell at a glance if he was melancholy and had found that he could rouse him by giving him a new song on which to work.
The following account comes from Bennett’s autobiography:
“He [Webster] came into my place of business, walked down to the stove, and turned his back on me without speaking. I was at my desk. Turning to him, I said, ‘Webster, what is 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 of sunlight, and I replied, ‘the sweet by and by! Why would not that make a good hymn?’ ‘Maybe it would,’ he said indifferently.
"Turning to my desk, I penned the words of the hymn as fast as I could write. I handed the words to Webster. As he read the words, his eyes kindled. I stepped back to my desk, and he began writing the notes, seated at the stove. Taking his violin, he played the melody and then jotted down the notes of the chorus. It was not over thirty minutes from the time I took my pen to write the words before two friends, with Webster and myself, were singing the hymn.”
As the men were singing the new hymn, R. R. Crosby, Sanford’s uncle, came into the store. "Never heard that song before,” exclaimed Mr. Crosby. “I heard it across the street and couldn’t resist coming in to hear it better. That hymn is immortal.” It was used in public shortly after, for within two weeks children on the streets were singing it.
The hymn became a Gospel standard and has been included in hymnals ever since.
Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: We have reason to go forth and suffer with Him, since it will instantly bring us to that heavenly city, which we profess that we only live to fit ourselves for, and then to enter in and possess it.
Biblestudytools.com: Seeing they [Israel] have no continuance here [Jerusalem], they will be the sooner at home: and they have that to support them, under the instability of worldly things, which others have not; they are interested in an unchangeable God, and in His love; and in an unchangeable Saviour; and in an unchangeable covenant; and have a right to eternal glory and happiness, a city which has foundations . . . yet to come; though certain, being built and prepared by God; and is continuing, will abide, being well founded: hence the saints seek for it.”
Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: The kind reception of repentant sinners, is often in the New Testament likened to a feast. The guests invited are all people, Gentiles as well as Jews. There is that in the gospel which strengthens and makes glad the heart and is fit for those who are under convictions of sin and mourning for it. There is a veil spread over all nations, for all sat in darkness. But this veil the Lord will destroy, by the light of His gospel shining in the world, and the power of His Spirit opening men’s eyes to receive it.
Matthew Henry continuing: He will raise those to spiritual life who were long dead in trespasses. Christ will Himself, in His resurrection, triumph over death. Grief shall be banished; there shall be perfect and endless joy. Those that mourn for sin shall be comforted. Those who suffer for Christ shall have consolations. But in the joys of heaven, and not short of them, will fully be brought to pass this saying, God shall wipe away all tears. The hope of this should now do away over sorrow . . . Sometimes, in this world God takes away the reproach of His people from among men; however, it will be done fully at the great day. Let us patiently bear sorrow and shame now; both will be done away shortly.
Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Each of the five divisions of the Book of Psalms closes with a doxology. This entire psalm can be seen as a doxology that not only closes the fifth and final volume of the collected psalms, but also closes the entire Book of Psalms. Psalm 150 contains no argument, no real teaching, no real explanation. It is an eloquent, passionate cry to all creation to give Yahweh the praise due to Him. Alexander Maclaren wrote: “The psalm is more than an artistic close of the Psalter: it is a prophecy of the last result of the devout life, and, in its unclouded sunniness, as well as in its universality, it proclaims the certain end of the weary years for the individual and for the world . . . The last line of the Psalter could be nothing else than Hallelujah! Yahweh is to be praised and honored and will be so among His people and all creation.“
Today visitors to Elkhorn, Wisconsin, may visit the Webster House and see the authentic, nineteenth-century home of the composer of this hymn and view the violin that was first used to play the melody of this beloved gospel hymn.
