This week I’ll be sharing the story behind the hymn, “When We All Get To Heaven.” I have always loved this hymn so much and I love sharing it with you today.

As we have discovered with many of the hymns we've already discussed, the writer of the hymn, When We All Get To Heaven, had a very difficult life yet managed to live that life with a purposeful and joyful outlook. I identify greatly with some of the things I imagine she must have had to endure.

Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (June 28, 1851 – April 24, 1920), also known as Eliza Jane Hewitt, was an American hymn writer, teacher and Presbyterian. She was the author of numerous Christian religious songs. In the beginning, she was active in Olivet Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Later she joined the Calvin Presbyterian Church, where she taught the primary class in Sunday school until her death.

Born on June 28, 1851, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was the daughter of sea Capt. James Stratton Hewitt and his wife Zeruiah Stites Edmunds. She completed her school education at the Girls' Normal School in Philadelphia where she graduated as valedictorian of her class. She later started teaching at the Northern Home for Friendless Children, but her professional career was cut short by a serious spinal problem, in 1887, that was caused by a student who struck her across the back with a heavy slate after being disciplined by Eliza. As a result, she was put in a heavy cast for six months. Though she partially recovered, she remained an invalid for an extended period of her life. During her prolonged convalescence, she studied English literature and started writing poems for the primary department of her church. She soon became a prolific writer of children's verses.

Despite her health problems, she showed interest in Sunday school work. She began teaching the primary class in Sunday schools. She later became Sunday school superintendent at the Northern Home for Friendless Children, and the Calvin Presbyterian Church. She prepared study materials for Sunday schools and regularly contributed for children's periodicals.

She used the pseudonym Lidie H. Edmunds for some of her poems. A number of her hymns have been translated into different languages. Some of her poems were set to music by different composers. She often attended the Methodist camp meetings at Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

She was also a close friend of Fanny Crosby, who happened to be blind and a very prolific hymnist, writing more than 8,000 hymns.

The hymn lyrics for When We All Get to Heaven were written in 1898 and the melody by Mrs. J. G. (Emily) Wilson. The two became acquainted at Methodist camp meetings in New Jersey. Eliza passed away on April 24, 1920 at the age of 68.

1 Corinthians 13:12 NASB says, 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

The reason I coupled the hymn, When We All Get To Heaven, with my song, I I Long for the Day, should be quite obvious to the reader. The older I get, the more special these two songs become to me. Let me tell you a little about the story behind this song, I I Long for the Day before we listen.

First of all, This song was inspired by Jack Taylor and is dedicated to Joy and Teresa Burgess and is in memory of my Grandmother Jernigan.

When I was a little boy, my Grandmother Jernigan often told me of spiritual things. She spoke of the Holy Spirit as a Person – and told me things the Lord had ‘told’ her. Being raised in a church where I wasn’t used to hearing God spoken of in this manner, this way of referring to the Holy Spirit stuck with me. On one occasion she told me that the Lord had told her how she would know my Grandpa Jernigan when she got to heaven since they would not be married there. She told me God had spoken my Grandfather’s new name to her to help her recognize him when she got there. I have always had an eternal perspective since that time.

In 1988 the ‘eternality’ of life and of God’s deep concern for me was revealed through one of my Grandmother’s former prayer partners. You see, in 1973 my Grandmother died. I was only 14. When I was 29 years old, I took my whole worship team back to my home town, Boynton, Oklahoma, to lead in a community worship service. After the service, my Grandmother’s prayer partner came to me and said, ”Isn’t it wonderful how your Grandmother’s prayers have been answered?” Amid feelings of shock and tears of joy, I asked, “What prayers?” And she answered, “Didn’t you know? Your Grandmother used to tell me how she would stand behind you as you practiced the piano at her house each day and would ask God to use you mightily in His Kingdom to lead in music and worship! And He answered her prayers!”

My Grandmother was used mightily of the Lord in my life, not only through prayer, but by her example. Her intimate relationship with the Lord made me long for that same ‘hearing’ ability! This song is for my Grandmother and was inspired by one of my spiritual fathers, Jack Taylor.

Jack shared with our body in August of 1992 his heart concerning the true Word of God. We don’t have a relationship with a book - but with the Living Word of God - Jesus Christ! Jack had such a longing for heaven and a clear perspective of eternity that this song came quite easily after listening to his heart.

When I die, this is one of the songs that I hope will be sung at the memorial service for my family. This is my life and my song. Jesus is my Life and my Song. The only thing that can sustain me is hearing and knowing His voice - His Word. Yet, I long for the day when I can embrace Him as He has embraced me.

Philippians 1:21 NASB says, 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

It does not get more simple than that. We will all face death…but we have a choice as to how we will view it. I choose to see it as a stepping stone into the next phase of my journey with God through eternity.

Since my dad passed away, this song has become even more special and more meaningful to me…and in light of my current health issues, has taken on a whole new depth of joy for me. Death may not come for me for many more years…at least that’s MY plan…but I am ready should it come in the next few moments. My relationship with God is in the here and now…and death will not change that. Death just means I’ll get to see my Redeemer face to face. And I’ll see you when we all get to heaven.

Dennis Jernigan

To hear The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this blog and to hear the songs “When We All Get To Heaven” and “I Long For The Day”, go to https://www.patreon.com/posts/when-we-all-get-109510089

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