It is Well with My Soul

On Sunday we sang, “When Peace Like a River” also known as “It is Well with My Soul.” This hymn was written by Horatio Spafford after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. Spafford was a wealthy Chicago lawyer with a thriving legal practice, a beautiful home, a wife, four daughters and a son. He was also a devout Christian. His circle of friends included Dwight L. Moody and other well-known clergymen of the day. At the very height of his success, Horatio and his wife Anna suffered the tragic loss of their young son at the tender age of two. Shortly thereafter on October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed almost every real estate investment Spafford had.

In 1873, Spafford scheduled a boat trip to Europe on the S.S. Ville du Havre, to give his wife and daughters a much needed vacation from tragedy, and so that he might join Moody for an evangelistic campaign in England. Spafford sent his wife and daughters on ahead while he remained in Chicago, to take care of some unexpected last minute business.

While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters drowned. Anna survived with other passengers. She sent Horatio the now famous telegram, “Saved Alone.” (It was only two words because you had to pay by the word.)

With a heavy heart, Spafford boarded a boat that would take him to his grieving Anna, in England. Spafford was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. “When sorrow like sea billows roll; it is well, it is well with my soul.”

Philip Bliss composed the tune and called it Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.

We understand that the peace the Lord gives is not the absence of trouble, but rather it is the confidence that He is there with us always.

There are a lot of great versions of “It is Well with My Soul” on YouTube from Amy Grant to a Capella to various church choirs. They sing it pretty similar to the way we did at Epiphany on Sunday. I chose to post the Jars of Clay version because it is a little more contemporary, a little different, and most importantly – my daughters love Jars of Clay! My 11-year-old daughter, Miriam, had her tonsils out on Thursday, so this one is for her!