by Pamela Harr
“It Is Well With My Soul” (Horatio Spafford 1873)
Horatio G. Spafford, a Christian activist, devout family man, and prominent American lawyer lost nearly everything in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 not long after his four-year-old son died of scarlet fever. In 1873 Spafford and his wife Anna planned a trip to Europe. He was delayed but Anna and the children Annie, age 11, Maggie 9, Bessie 4, and 18-month-old Tanetta went ahead. Spafford would embark shortly after, planning to join his family in a few days. On November 22, 1873 the S. S. Ville du Havre, carrying Anna and the four girls, was struck by a British ship off the coast of Newfoundland. It sank in 12 minutes. Anna survived but all of the children were lost. A few days later Anna sent the heartbreaking telegraph message: “Saved Alone. What Shall I Do . . .” Horatio set out immediately.
At sea, he requested that the captain notify him when their ship passed the spot where the S. S. Ville du Havre went down. When the captain told him they were nearing the area Horatio went to his cabin and penned the magnificent and moving words expressing his unfaltering faith in God that became the lyrics of the beloved Christian hymn It Is Well With My Soul. Spafford’s friend Philip Bliss later composed the music.
With God’s help the Spaffords picked up their broken lives. They pioneered the Spafford Children’s Center in East Jerusalem and the West Bank which still cares for more than 30,000 children each year. To hear the music and story refer to YouTube – It Is Well With My Soul, The Story Behind the Famous Hymn, by Colin Battersby at https://www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PLCwMbhGlgnBdVoDmdQNjRTA8zoRmDIP1K
8.5″ x 6.5″ x 6″
$950