When the Roll is Called Up Yonder

In 1892, James Black was responsible for the roll call at the Methodist Church in Williamsport, PA. Bessie, a little girl Black had originally invited to attend, been faithfully attending the Epworth League and Sunday School and with each roll call, superintendent Black would hear her respond. Bessie came from a poor household, so Black arranged for her to have cloths to wear to church. Then came the Sunday when the roll call was silent. Bessie was absent for the first time. Concerned for the girl's welfare James Black quickly made his way after church to Bessie's home where he found a very sick girl. Realizing that it was serious, he summoned his own doctor who diagnosed it as a case of advanced pneumonia.

As Black made his way back home that Sunday afternoon, he was unable to throw off the feeling that had come over him when Bessie failed to respond to the roll call. That morning he had tried to find a song to express his feelings but could not. Arriving at his home, Black sat down at the piano and wrote: When the roll is called up yonder I'll be there!

The song was first sung publicly at Bessie's funeral.

“I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.” Revelation 20:12

Links:

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/e/whenroll.htm

http://www.songtime.com/hymn/hymn1103.htm

Music:
http://www.brentwood-benson.com/product.aspx?ProjectCode=457571319