The story behind this hymn is a tale of two cities and a central common figure. John R. Sweney (1837–1899) was a prominent gospel composer and musician who spent most of his career in the West Chester and Philadelphia areas of Pennsylvania. Part of his career included ten years of service at Bethany Presbyterian Church and Sunday School in Philadelphia, at one time described as “one of the largest Sunday Schools in the United States.”[1] Sweney had also developed a career as a Sunday School songbook compiler and publisher, starting with his first collection, Gems of Praise, in 1873.
Sweney became acquainted with Eliza E. Hewitt (1851–1920) through his work in Presbyterian churches and his publishing operations. Hewitt was trained in the field of education and served for a time in a public school before becoming active in teaching Sunday Schools. She was a member of the Tabernacle (Presbyterian) Church in Philadelphia, later serving variously as Sunday School teacher and superintendent at Olivet Presbyterian Church, the Philadelphia Primary Union, and Calvin Presbyterian Church. Hewitt had a passion for writing hymns and songs to supplement her teaching. Some of them were published in songbooks as early as 1871. In the mid 1880s, she was enlisted by Sweney to write for his music collections. One of their first published collaborations was the hymn “More about Jesus,” in Glad Hallelujahs (1887). Sweney compiled The Prayer Meeting Hymn Book of Olivet Presbyterian Church (1887); Hewitt joined that church in 1890 and served there until 1905.
Among his many endeavors, Sweney was also the song leader for summer revival meetings held annually at the Methodist campgrounds in Ocean Grove, NJ. His leadership there started in 1878. The summer camp meetings at Ocean Grove attracted some notable musicians and writers. Famed gospel hymn writer Fanny Crosby said she developed friendships with composers John R. Sweney and William Kirkpatrick through these meetings.[2] Other regular attendees at Ocean Grove included prominent Methodist preacher John G. Wilson and his wife Emily D. Wilson (1865–1942). Mrs. Wilson was a skilled musician and leader in her own right. In 1903, an account from Oak Street Church in Norristown, PA (an “old landmark of Methodism”) said, “Sunday, June 14, the new presiding elder, John G. Wilson, D.D., preached on ‘The exaltation of Christ.’ Mrs. Wilson, of Ocean Grove fame, sang.”[3] Two years later, the same paper described an evangelistic campaign at the First Methodist Church of Trenton, NJ, at which “The Bishop [C.C. McCabe] was assisted by Dr. Charles M. Boswell, of Philadelphia, by the Rev. G. Reed, and Mrs. John G. Wilson in the inspiring service of song.”[4]
John R. Sweney was likely the catalyst in the introduction of Eliza Hewitt to Emily Wilson at an Ocean Grove camp meeting, where the ladies are said to have met. Together, they wrote one of the most enduring musical tributes to the afterlife, “When We All Get to Heaven,” which was first published in Pentecostal Praises (Philadelphia: Hall-Mack Co., 1898 | Fig. 1), a collection edited by William Kirkpatrick. The original version of the song contained four stanzas and a refrain. The tune name is usually given in hymnals as HEAVEN.
- Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,Sing His mercy and His grace;In the mansions bright and blessedHe’ll prepare for us a place.
- Refrain:When we all get to heaven,What a day of rejoicing that will be!When we all see Jesus,We’ll sing and shout the victory!
- While we walk the pilgrim pathway,Clouds will overspread the sky;But when trav’ling days are over,Not a shadow, not a sigh.
- Let us then be true and faithful,Trusting, serving every day;Just one glimpse of Him in gloryWill the toils of life repay.
- Onward to the prize before us!Soon His beauty we’ll behold;Soon the pearly gates will open;We shall tread the streets of gold.
