The hymn "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder" was written by James Milton Black in 1893, inspired by a Sunday school experience. Black, a Sunday school teacher, noticed a young girl named Bessie was absent during roll call. He was struck by the thought of someone being absent from the heavenly roll call and subsequently wrote the hymn based on this experience. Here's a more detailed breakdown: The Inspiration: James Milton Black, also a youth leader, met a 14-year-old girl named Bessie, the daughter of an alcoholic, who was poorly dressed. He invited her to his Sunday school and youth group. The Absence: One evening, during a meeting where each member responded to the roll call with a scripture verse, Bessie was absent. The Thought: This absence sparked a powerful thought in Black: "What a sad thing it would be if our names are called in heaven and we are absent". The Writing: After visiting Bessie (who was sick with pneumonia and later died), Black went home and, unable to find a suitable hymn on the subject, wrote "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder" within fifteen minutes. The Impact: The hymn was first published in 1894 in "Songs of the Soul". It has been translated into many languages and sung by various artists and denominations. 😥