WARREN SHIVER
SWEET BY AND BY
Author: Sanford Bennett
(1836-1898)
Composer: Joseph P. Webster
(1819-1875)

For some people, troubles seem to pile up without end. For others sorrows break like billowing waves on the shore of their lives. How do we cope with life's problems when they seem insurmountable? One prescription that I was taught in a Baptist Church as a child was to take all our burdens and problems to the Lord in prayer, with the assurance that we can leave with Him (God) our problems and things that we can't possibly handle. Life's problems may not look quite so hopeless.

It was over one hundred years ago in 1867 that Joseph P. Webster felt that he could not handle life's problems any more. He had a good friend in town that owned a local drug store, and people would come in to get medicine and sit around a potbelly stove and tell stories and pass the time away. Mr. Webster's attitude was always sad and sorrowful. While his friend, the druggist, Mr. Samuel Filmore Bennett, always tried to be up beat. With his sunny disposition, he was always able to lend an ear to his friend, Mr. Webster.

The store was located in Elkton, Wisconsin, a very small town, and the local people were concerned with the mental state of Mr. Webster. One day a lady came into the drug store and told Mr. Bennett that she had met Mr. Webster down the street and that he seemed very depressed. He was a very good musician and everyone wanted him to play his music and lift his spirit. The lady asked Mr. Bennett if there was anything he could do to help him. Mr. Bennett answered that he could only advise him to pray.

Later, Mr. Webster came into the drug store to get warm by the potbellied stove, but never spoke a word to Mr. Bennett. "Good morning, Joseph," said Mr. Bennett. There was no answer. "Well what's the matter this morning?" asked Mr. Bennett sympathetically. Mr. Webster replied with probably the most important words he ever spoke, "There's really no use worrying, everything will be all right in the bye and bye". "What did you say, Joseph?" asked Mr. Bennett? "Oh, I just said everything will be alright in the bye and bye," repeated Mr. Webster.

Mr. Bennett went straight to his desk and began writing on a small piece of paper. Two other customers came in, but Mr. Bennett left them standing by the stove with Mr. Webster. A few minutes later, Mr. Bennett came out with his new poem. "Here Joseph is your prescription," he grinned. Mr. Webster had left his violin in the drug store the day before, and Mr. Bennett handed it to him. Joseph read the lyrics:
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 bye and bye
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
In the sweet bye and bye
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

After reading the poem, Mr. Webster started improvising a melody on the violin. He asked for a piece of paper to write down the notes as they came to him, so he would not forget them.

He played the tune over two or three times after he finished it. Then he suggested to Mr. Bennett and the two customers, that they sing it as a quartet. As they were finishing the chorus, in the sweet bye and bye a man came in the store from across the street and said, "I have never heard that hymn before, but I would say it is immortal." Truer words were never spoken.

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.

SWEET BYE AND BY

Verse 1
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.
Chorus:
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.
Verse 2
We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blest,
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
Chorus:
Verse 3
To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer the tribute of praise,
For the glorious gift of His love,
And the blesssings that hallow our days.
Chorus:

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