WARREN SHIVER WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER

AUTHOR: JAMES M. BLACK
(1856-1938)
COMPOSER: JAMES M. BLACK
(1856-1938)

The Bible tells us there are two " whosoevers" when it comes to the subject of eternal life. The first is found in John 3:16, where trusting in God's son gives a person eternal and everlasting life. The second is found in Revelations 20:15 and pronounces doom and separation from God into an eternity of suffering. This is the second death. Someday there will be a great roll call in heaven; unfortunately many will not be there to respond.

Back in 1892, James Milton Black was responsible for the roll call every Sunday morning at the Methodist Church in Williamsport, Pa. A little girl named Bessie, age fourteen, had faithfully been attending Sunday school, and with each roll call Superintendent Black would hear her respond. It was Mr.Black who had invited Bessie to attend Sunday school, and since she came from a poor home,she did not have proper clothing to wear to church, so Mr. Black furnished her with clothing and shoes so she could attend.

One Sunday morning, Mr. Black made the roll call and Bessie did not answer. Bessie was absent for the first time since she had begun attending Sunday school. Mr. Black knew of Bessie's home life and he began to worry. He was concerned for her welfare because her father was a drunkard and did not care for her attending church. After church that morning, Mr. Black made his way to Bessie's home, fearing the worst. When he arrived, he found Bessie to be very, very ill. Realizing that it was serious, he summoned his own doctor who diagnosed it as a case of advanced pneumonia.

As Mr. Black made his way back home that Sunday afternoon, he could not throw off the feeling that had come over him when Bessie failed to respond to the roll call that morning. He thought of the greater roll call coming someday in heaven, and oh the sadness there will be for those whose names are not written in the "Lamb's Book of Life". That morning he had tried to find a song that expressed his feelings for that special girl missing from the roll call, but could not find one. When

he arrived home, Mr. Black went into his parlor, sat down at the piano, and without any effort, began to write. This is the message that God gave him . Stories Behind The Hymns is written by Warren Shiver of Biscoe,NC. Shiver has been fascinated with the true stories behind the hymns since he was a 12- year old attending East Gaffney Baptist Church in Gaffney, S.C. He began studying the stories behind the hymns in 1957. If you have questions or comments, he can be reached by email at wshiver99@embarqmail.com or by mail at PO BOX 775,Biscoe,NC 27209.

Warren has written two books, the first is a 300- page soft back, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories Vol. 1 costs $14.95, the second book, 340-page soft back, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories Vol. 2 costs $16.95. You may buy both books for $25.00. You may pick up your copies of both books at The Gaffney Ledger office on Floyd Baker Boulevard. Warren may be reached by email at wshiver99@embarqmail.com, or by mail at PO Box 775, Biscoe, NC.27209, you may also purchase the books on his website www.myfavoritehymnstories.com. Shipping for both books is $4.00, for one book $3.00. If you would like for Warren to come speak at your church, Sunday school class or any meeting you may contract him at 910-428- 9911 or 910-428-4078.

When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder

Verse 1
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no
more,
And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair,
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder; I'll be there.
REFRAIN
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder; I'll be there.
Verse 2
On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ
shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the
skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.
REFRAIN
Verse 3
Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.
REFRAIN

The song was not sung publicly until it was sung at Bessie's funeral. The words and music were composed in fifteen minutes and were never changed. They remain to this day just as Mr. Black wrote them.

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