Horatio Spafford

What a hero! This man could be the poster child for faith. What? You don't know who he is? Let me introduce you to him.



In 1871 Horatio and his wife Anna were still grieving over a death of their son. He was a prominent lawyer in Chicago, and had invested heavily in real estate. On October 8, the Great Chicago Fire swept through the city, and destroyed almost everything he owned.


Two years later, in 1873, Spafford decided his family should take a holiday somewhere in Europe, and chose England knowing that his friend D. L. Moody would be preaching there in the fall. Delayed because of business, he sent ahead of him his family: his wife Anna, and his four remaining children, daughters Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie.

On November 21, 1873, while crossing the Atlantic on the S.S. Ville Du Havre, their ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel[3] 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 Spafford beginning "Saved alone."

Spafford then himself took a ship to England, going past the place where his daughters had died. According to Bertha Spafford, a daughter born after the tragedy, the hymn was written in mid-Atlantic.
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.

(Refrain:) It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
(Refrain)

And Lord haste the day, when my 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.
(Refrain)


If he can say "it is well with my soul" even though he lost all his worldy possessions, and his children...how easy would it be for me? The story of Horatio isn't done. He and his wife went on and had two more children. The son lived to the age of 4, and died from scarlet fever. His last daughter is the only child to live into adulthood. What would it be like for me to lose my children? He had such a faith! He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would see his children again, and that God was still God and in control. I would like to be able to live my life with that kind of faith. No matter what should happen to me, that God is still there, whispering peace to my soul. He is still on His throne!!!