James Milton Black

Born: August 19, 1856, South Hill, New York.

Died: December 21, 1938, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Buried:  Wildwood Cemetery, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

    James Black started his musical career with John Howard of New York and Daniel Townder of the Moody Bible Institute. He moved to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, around 1881, and was an active member of the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal Church from 1904 until his death, serving as a song leader and Sunday school teacher. Black also found time to edit a dozen Gospel hymn books, write almost 1,500 songs, and serve on the commission for the 1905 Methodist hymnal. His works include:

• Songs of the Soul (with Joseph F. Berry) (Cincinnati, Ohio: Cranston & Curtis, 1894)
• Songs of the Soul No. 2 (Cincinnati, Ohio: Curtis & Jennings, 1896)
• The Chorus of Praise (New York: Eaton & Mains, 1898)
• The Epworth Hymnal No. 3 (New York: Eaton & Mains, 1900)
• Junior Praises (Cincinnati, Ohio: Jennings & Pye, 1901)
• The Gospel Chorus (New York: Eaton & Mains, 1902)
• Songs of Faith and Hope (Cincinnati, Ohio: Curtis & Jennings, 1905)
• Songs of Faith and Hope Number 2 (Cincinnati, Ohio: Curtis & Jennings, 1909)
• Sacred Praise (Cincinnati, Ohio: Jennings and Graham, 1912)
• New Junior Songs (New York: The Methodist Book Concern, 1914)
• Songs of Help (New York: The Abingdon Press, 1917)

Hymns

1. Be Ready When the Bridegroom Comes
2. Come, Oh, Come to Me
3. In the Shadow of His Wings
4. Never Say Goodbye
5. Revive the Hearts of All
6. When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
7. We Shall Reign with Him in Glory
8. Where Jesus Died for Me

Music

1. All the Day
2. Answering Time Will Come, The
3. Beautiful Way, The
4. Easter Bells
5. Home in My Heart for Jesus, A
6. I Remember Calvary
7. Look to the Lamb of God
8. Sweet Voices
9. When the Saints are Marching In
10. Where Jesus Is, 'Tis Heaven