Facts Behind A Beloved Hymn

By: Tim Hall

"It Is Well With My Soul" is a favorite of many Christians. Elegantly written, it speaks of how we can enjoy "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) even in times of outward turmoil. Written by Horatio Gates Spafford in 1873, it was joined to a tune written by Philip Bliss three years later.

Most of us know the tune well, but perhaps it would deepen our appreciation to know some of the facts behind its birth.

By age 43, Spafford had established himself as a successful attorney in Chicago, and invested much of his money in real estate. When the Great Chicago Fire struck in 1871, most of Spafford's investments went up in smoke.

Still, he had his family from whom he drew great comfort. His wife Anna, a native of Norway, had given their marriage four precious daughters. In 1873 a vacation to England was arranged. Due to business constraints, Stafford sent his wife and daughters ahead, promising to join them soon.

On that ocean journey, the steamer on which Spafford's wife and daughters sailed, the Ville Du Havre, was struck by an iron sailing vessel and sank. His daughter's 11, 9, 5 and 2 were all lost in the accident, only his wife survived. Another daughter, born later, wrote of how her father wrote our beloved hymn while sailing to join his wife and to share her tears. He knew, she said, when they passed the spot of the shipwreck.

Horatio Spafford also drew comfort from his faith as one might easily guess from the lyrics of his hymn. But his church provided no comfort. According to Wikipedia.com, his church declared the shipwreck an act of divine punishment. Stafford reacted by leaving that church and establishing his own group, "The Overcomers." He died in 1888 of malaria in Jerusalem, and was buried there.

We can't agree with all of Horatio Spafford's religious views, but we are certainly indebted to him for expressing his loss with words of hope and faith. One stanza he wrote, but not included in our hymnal, is worthy of reflection"

"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.

It is well with my soul;

It is well, it is well with my soul!"