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Stories Behind The Hymns
BRINGING IN THE SHEAVES
Bringing in the sheaves is a popular hymn used almost exclusively by Protestant Christians. Many of the modern hymnals have left this out beautiful hymn. It is a real Thanksgiving hymn and was inspired by Psalms 126-v.6 "He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (KJV) Knowles Shaw was born on October 31,1834, in Butler County, Ohio. We don't know much about his childhood, but we are lucky to have an eyewitness to his death. He was a great soul winner and loved the great hymns of his day. He contributed one that was written in 1874 and after 133 years still is dear to the hearts of Christians everywhere. The following letter written by his pastor, elder Kirk Baxter from Dallas, Texas tells of his final day on earth. " Dear Brother: Just one year ago, to-day, Brother Shaw was killed. During his last meeting among the numerous calls to labor at other places, was one from the church at McKinney, which sent a delegation to urge him to visit there, if only for a few days. He replied, 'As that is one of Brother Baxter's points of labor, I will go.' His meeting in Dallas closed on the night of the 6th of June. That night he spent at Brother Dr. Johnston's. He telegraphed to the church at McKinney, that he and I would be there the next day. Early the next morning there was a tremendous rainfall, lasting two or three hours. The brethren tried to prevail on him not to go to McKinney that morning, urging that the weather was so unfavorable that he could not have a meeting if he went, and insisted that he should remain in Dallas that day and rest. He replied, 'No; we have telegraphed the brethren we would be there, and we must go; that there was no time to rest now; rest would come by and by.' I met him at the depot about seven o'clock that morning, as lively and cheerful as I ever had seen him. He had bought his ticket and was ready to start. We took a seat in the car, and, in a few moments, were off. We conversed a few moments in regard to the work at McKinney. He then took up the morning paper and looked through it. While thus engaged, I left him, and went forward to the front of the car, and was about to pass out to the coach ahead, when some one called me by name. I turned, and saw a Methodist minister, Mr. Malloy, whom I had known years before in Arkansas. I sat down by him, and spent some time in conversation. He asked me about our meeting in Dallas, and Brother Shaw. I told him that Mr. Shaw was on the train, and just at that moment caught his eye, and beckoned to him, and he came to where we were seated, I introduced him to Rev. Mr. Malloy, and gave him my seat, and took the next one. Mr. Malloy asked him to tell him the secret of his success in protracted meetings, which Brother Shaw proceeded to do in a very earnest manner, saying he depended much on the power of song; preached Christ; always kept Jesus before the people; made them feel that they were sinners, and needed just such a Savior as he preached; that he never became discouraged; had confidence in the gospel truth as the power of God; that he loved his work, and became wholly absorbed in it; and added: 'Oh, it is a grand thing to rally people to the Cross of Christ.' At that moment, I turned to see if we were in sight of McKinney, and I felt the car was off the track, bouncing over the ties. I did not feel in any danger; did not know that we were on an embankment, and expected that we would check up in a moment or two. I saw Brother Shaw rise from his seat, and realizing at once that the car was going over. Not a word was spoken. I saw Brother Shaw alive no more. All became as dark as night. When I came to myself, the coach was at the bottom of the embankment, and I was its only occupant. I looked around but all were gone. When I got out I saw the passengers on the railroad track above me, and made my way up to them. The first one I met was Mr. Malloy, with whom Brother Shaw was seated at the time of the accident. I said to him, 'Have you seen Brother Shaw.' 'No,' said he, 'I fear he is under the wreck; but he saved my life by pushing me from the position in which he himself fell.' I waited to hear no more, but ran down to the wreck, looked in, and saw a man's hand pointing upward out of the water. It was Brother Shaw's hand. I called for help, and in about fifteen minutes he was taken lifeless from the water. Portions of the wreck had to be cut away with an ax before the body could be reached and removed. I had the body placed in the baggagecar, which had not been thrown from the track, and sent to McKinney, where it was taken charge of by the brethren and place in the church. I sent a telegram to Dallas, telling the sad news. In a short time, a deep gloom pervaded the whole city, as from house to house passed the sad words, 'Brother Shaw is dead.' Quite a number were injured by the accident; some very severely. My own injuries were of a serious nature, much more so than I at first supposed. Such was Brother Shaw's last day on earth." Knowles Shaw wrote the music for "Bringing in the Sheaves," in 1874, but was not as well received as would be expected. In 1880 George Austin Minor wrote a new tune for this hymn and it was well received and we still sing it to this tune today. George Minor was born on December 7,1845 in Richmond Virginia. He attended the military academy in Richmond Virginia and served during the Civil War. After the war he went into the music field and began teaching at music schools and conducted singings at conventions. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia. He was also Sunday School Superintendent there. 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. Bringing In The Sheaves Verse 1 Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness, Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve; Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. REFRAIN: Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves, Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves. We shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves. Verse 2 Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows, Fearing neither clouds nor winter's chilling breeze; By and by the harvest, and the labor ended, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Refrain: Verse 3 Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master, Tho' the loss sustained our spirit often grieves; When our weeping's over, He will bid us welcome, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Refrain: This article may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means, Electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without writ- |
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