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Horatio Spafford

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Horatio G. Spafford (1828-1888) was the author of the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul". There are many authors of many hymns, but it is perhaps the story surrounding Horatio Spafford's life when he wrote the hymn which makes the author's story so exceptional and enduring, and the words of his hymn so forceful.

In 1871 Horatio Spafford and his wife Anna were still grieving over the death of their son. Horatio was a lawyer in Chicago, and friend of the famous preacher D. L. Moody. He had invested heavily in real estate. So when, the Great Chicago Fire meant that he lost almost everything he owned.

Spafford decided his family needed to get away, and knowing that Moody would preach in England in the fall, he decided to take his family there. However, he was delayed because of business, so he sent his family on ahead of him: his wife Anna, and his four daughters Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie. While crossing the Atlantic on the S.S. Ville Du Havre, the ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel and two hundred and twenty six people lost their lives, including all four of Spafford's daughters. Somehow his wife, Anna, survived. On arriving in England, she sent a telegram to Horatio with simply the words "Saved alone".

Spafford himself took a ship to England, going passed the place where his daughters had died. The words of the song below were penned some time after this.

The music, by Philip P. Bliss, was named after the ship on which his daughters had all died, Ville Du Havre. 

It Is Well with My Soul
1. When peace, like a river,
attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul”
Chorus: It is well (it is well)
with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
2. Though Satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded
my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(Repeat chorus)
3. My sin, oh the bliss
of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross,
and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Repeat chorus)
4. And Lord haste the day
when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound,
and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
(Repeat chorus)

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