It Is Well With My Soul

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“It Is Well With My Soul”

                 Once again I was blessed to have heard the Good News as I sat on my usual spot, one Sunday morning. This  day I came to know Horatio G. Spafford, a prominent Presbyterian lawyer in Chicago during the 19th century. He penned the song, It Is Well With My Soul. The song is probably one of the best gospel tunes ever written.  It reminds us that amidst the hardships and trials of our human lives, God IS the only refuge. It is only FROM God that we can draw True strength. He will never forsake us. It reminds us not to dwell on our personal tragedies and sorrows, instead focus on Christ’s saving work and be thankful for God’s unconditional love for us.

    Horatio Spafford was a successful lawyer during his time. Amidst the wealth of provisions, he devoted his time with reading the scriptures and involving himself with various Christian activities. As a prominent figure in Chicago, he invested greatly with real estate properties near the Michigan Lake. Tragedy  struck, when a fire in Chicago wiped out almost the entire city in 1871, including most of his properties. He also lost his only son from pneumonia at the age of four. Some time after the fire, Horatio scheduled a family trip to Europe. He wanted to unwind from the unfortunate events that seem to target him the past few years. It was not only a trip for his family to relax and enjoy, but also a way to assist their friends’ evangelistic missions in Britain. The last minute before their departure, Horatio was unexpectedly held back with some business emergencies. He never was meant to travel with them. The family was forced to leave, as scheduled, ahead of him. They boarded the S.S. Ville du Havre. A few days after, on November 22, the  ship was struck by an iron sailing English vessel, Lockhearn and within a few minutes, sank. All but Horatio’s wife, Anna survived. 

As soon as the survivors were brought to Wales, Anna sent her husband a telegram with her famous two words, “Saved Alone”. Horatio immediately set out to go to his wife by ship. The same route where the ill fated Ville du Havre sank taking his beloved daughters with it. And at the spot of their watery graves, he wrote the words to the song which so deeply describes his grief… but in his sorrow, he found strength in God and faith that whatever and however the trials may come… IT IS WELL WITH HIS SOUL because he has God as his Savior.