As he made his way through the alley, he noticed a ragged
young girl, daughter of an alcoholic, sweeping a rear porch on her apartment. “Do
you go to church?” he asked. “No sir, I have nothing proper to wear,”
was her response.
“What is your name?” he asked. “Bessie,” she replied. “Bessie,
I will have my wife and another lady visit you soon!” he said as he quickly
continued his way to the post office. James’ wife and another lady from the
church visited Bessie and took her some dresses. Bessie started attending the
services both Sunday morning and Sunday evening.
One Sunday in 1893 Bessie failed to answer the roll call.
Black made a comment to the effect, “Well, I trust when the roll is called up
yonder, she’ll be there,” telling the students what a sad thing it would be if,
when their names are called from the Lamb’s Book of Life in judgment, one of
them would be absent. Then he said in his prayer, “O God, when my own
name is called up yonder, may I be there to respond!”
It turned out the girl was deathly ill with pneumonia.
Though Black called upon the doctor to attend to her, she died some days later.
Grief stricken, Black searched the hymnal but didn’t find a
song on this subject. Never having written a hymn before, an inner voice seemed
to say, "Why don't you write one." And that is what he did. Black
penned the words to the song “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” in
just 15 minutes, all three stanzas.
After completing the lyrics, he sat at the piano and
composed the tune, which is the same tune in the hymn book today. He spoke
those words at the girl’s funeral. Her very life, absence from class, and her
death inspiring the words that Black now sang over her grave.
James Milton Black was born on August 19, 1856, in
South Hill, New York. He acquired an early musical education in singing and
organ playing and knew such famous songsters of his day as Daniel Towner and
John Howard. Around 1881, he moved to Williamsport, Pennsylvania where he
carried on Christian work through the Methodist Episcopal church. Teaching
music during the week, he was a song leader, Sunday school teacher and youth
leader in his spare hours. He loved young people and tried to win them for
Christ. In addition to all this work, he edited hymnals.
The song was first published in the 1894 Songs of the
Soul which he edited with Joseph F. Berry. In its first two years,
the book sold more than 400,000 copies. Also in 1894, Henry Date was
publishing a new song book, Pentecostal Hymns, for the Hope Publishing
Company of Chicago, IL, with the help of gospel song writer Charles Hutchinson
Gabriel.
Date was looking at some hand-copied song manuscripts that
had been submitted. An assistant started to discard them when Gabriel
asked to see if there was anything useful in them. After receiving them,
he also was about to lay them aside when one caught his attention because it
was written in green ink. The name of James M. Black was not familiar to
the famous composer, but Gabriel decided that “When the Roll Is Called Up
Yonder” had merit and decided to include it, thus securing its
popularity.
Explainingthebible.com, Jamie Wilson: This powerful verse from Matthew 24:31 provides a profound insight into God’s plan for His people. Jesus speaks directly about the time when God will send His angels to gather His elect, the chosen ones, from all corners of the earth. The imagery of a loud trumpet call is captivating, as it signifies not just an announcement but a moment of urgency and significance. We can picture the scene: the sound carrying across the skies, and the angels at work, collecting those who belong to God. This verse reminds us of the finality of this gathering and how crucial it is to be prepared. It is not just a casual gathering but one that signifies the culmination of God’s redemptive work in the world . . . Moreover, the “four winds” mentioned in this verse reflect the global scope of this gathering. It shows us that God’s reach extends beyond borders, cultures, and nations. Every believer, regardless of where they live, will be included in this grand assembly. The term “elect” emphasizes that God has chosen these individuals for His own purposes, showing that our relationship with Him is a special and intentional one. This verse speaks to our hope as believers. In a world filled with uncertainty and chaos, we have the assurance that God will come back for His people. We can hold onto this promise, encouraging one another as we await His return.
Godsbless.ing: This verse underscores the reliability of prophecy, the illuminating guidance of Scripture, the anticipation of Christ’s return, and the divine inspiration of the Bible . . . “Until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,” symbolizing Christ’s return and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Revelation 22:16 identifies Jesus as the “bright Morning Star,” emphasizing the hope and transformation His return brings to believers.
Explainingthebible.com: One of the stunning aspects of this passage is the use of angels in gathering the elect. Throughout the biblical text, angels often serve as messengers or agents of God’s will. Their role signifies that this gathering is a heavenly and divine act, drawing on both the physical and spiritual realms. It represents God’s steadfast love for His people, allowing us to picture a future where we are united with Him in glory.
Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: Always abounding in the work of the Lord - Always engaged in doing the will of God; in promoting His glory and advancing His kingdom. The phrase means not only to be engaged in this, but to be engaged diligently, laboriously, excelling in this. The "work of the Lord" here means that which the Lord requires; all the appropriate duties of Christians. Paul exhorts them to practice every Christian virtue, and to do all that they could do to further the gospel among people.
Biblestudytools.com: Both of body and soul; from all toil of body, and laborious work, from all diseases and distempers of body, and all outward sorrows and calamities men labor under, and are fatigued with in this life; and from all inward troubles, from a body of sin, from the temptations of Satan, and from all doubts and fears, from their present warfare state, and all conflicts with their spiritual enemies: and their works do follow them; they do not go before them, to prepare heaven and happiness for them; nor do they take them along with them, and use them as pleas for their admission into the heavenly glory; but they will follow them, and will be found to praise, and honor, and glory, and will be taken notice of by Christ, and graciously rewarded by Him, at His appearing and kingdom.
Godsbless:ing: It reminds us of the eternal reward that awaits those who have lived a life guided by the principles of love, compassion, and faith. We are encouraged to strive towards a life that is pleasing to the Lord as we navigate our own journey on this earth, so that we too may find peace and blessing in our final moments . . . So, as you ponder these words, take comfort in the promise of blessings for those who have passed away in faith. Let it serve as a reminder to live a life that is centered on God, so that when our time comes, we can do so in the knowledge that we are entering into a state of eternal peace and joy with the Lord.
Bibleref.com: In this verse Jesus extends three promises to every faithful believer at Sardis. First, He will grant Him white garments . . . White clothing that is given to the faithful represents not only honor but also purity and righteousness . . . Second, Jesus promises that He will not blot the faithful believer's name out of the Book of Life. While some individuals think this statement implies that a believer may lose His salvation, it simply means the conqueror—the "overcomer"—can be secure knowing their name will never be erased. Every born-again person has eternal life that will be his divinely given possession forever . . . Third, Jesus assures the faithful believer that He will confess His name before His Father and the angels. In a public ceremony in heaven, Jesus will acknowledge that these overcoming, enduring, faithful "conquerors" belong to Him.
“The calm assurance of a future heavenly home is one of the greatest blessings for every Christian. It has been said that only those with an absolute confidence in their hereafter truly know to live victoriously in this life. Having a personal relationship with Christ means that we need have no fear that we will not hear 'the trumpet call of God,’ whether we are still alive or asleep in Jesus.” Amazing Grace, Kenneth W. Osbeck
Give God praise for the certainty about your eternal destiny that you, as a child of God, enjoy. Live this day in that confidence.
