HISTORY OF A SONG.
Mr. BENNETT, a music-writer, and Mr. Webster were intimate friends. The latter was subject to melancholy. Bennett came in to where his friend Webster was at business one day, while in a depression of spirits.
"What is the matter now?" said Bennett, noticing his sad countenance.
"No matter," said Webster; "it will be right by and by."
“Yes; that sweet by and by," said Bennett.
"Would not that sentiment make a good hymn, Webster?"
"May be it would," replied Webster, indifferently.
Turning to a desk, Bennett wrote the three verses of the hymn, and handed them to Webster. When he read them, his whole demeanor changed.
Stepping to his desk, he began to write the notes.
Having finished them, he requested his violin, and played the melody. In a few minutes more, he had the four parts of the chorus jotted down. It was not over thirty minutes from the first thought of the hymn before the two friends, and two others who had come in, in the meantime, were singing all the parts together.
A bystander, who had been attracted by the music, and had listened in tearful silence, remarked,
"That hymn is immortal." It is now sung in every land under the sun.
Exchange.
In The Sweet By And By
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.
Refrain:
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.
We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days.