In 1871, Horatio Spafford’s only son died of scarlet fever. In 1872, the great Chicago Fire destroyed all ofthe real estate Horatio had invested in. Horatio’s family was friends with the prominent evanglelist, D. L. Moody, who was in England at the time. In light of the multiple hardships faced by his family, Horatio decided for his familiy to holiday in England, where also they would join with Moody and offer him help.
Before the family was to set sail, urgent business arose and Horatio had to delay his departure, but instead sent his family on and he would meet them when he could. So Anna, his wife, and his four daughters set out on their voyage across the Atlantic.
Nine days later, Horatio received a telegram from Anna who had arrived in Wales. It read, “Saved alone.” On November second, their ship had colided with another, sinking in a mere 12 minutes. Anna stood on the deck with her daughters at her side, where one by one they were ripped from her side by the rushing water. She alone was saved as a floating plank propped up her unconscious body.
On hearing the news, Horatio boarded the next ship bound for England. While sailing, the captain alerted Horatio, noting to him as they passed the place where his four daughters were drowned. He returned to his cabin and wrote the following hymn,1
It Is Well With my Soul When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. It is well, with my soul, It is well, 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 has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul. 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. It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Certainly, Horatio’s soul wasn’t leaping with joy. Following years is hardship, the remainder of his living children were taken from him, and he wrote this hymn at the very spot where there bodies layed. But this hymn is not about his feelings or his emotions. More on this in a bit.
In October 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Proclamation of Thanksgiving.2 Note that the civil war did not end until 1865. 1863 was square in the middle of one of the ugliest wars America had ever known. 1863 was not a happy time. I urge you to read it in its entirety, but to save your eyes, note this excerpt, especially in light of the history we noted,
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict… They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens….
This is qute in keeping with Thanksgiving and the statements issued by the office of the presidency. In 1789, George Washington made a similar proclamation, though after a war had ravaged the new America for over a decade. Washington said,3 (also, consider reading the whole thing)
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Two presidents, one in the middle of a war and one coming out of one paused to give thanks (and also called the nation to repent of their trangressions) to the God whom made all things possible, and even in light of suffering, to be thankful for that which they had. I find that attitude remarkable.
I’m encouraged by the example set by Horation above. He penned his famous words, “it is well with my soul,” during the darkest time in his life. How could he say such a thing? I said above that, obviously, he was not speaking of his feelings. Draw your attention to the second verse after the chorus. He says that, though trials should come, to consider the assurance that comes to even one such as he in his sad state: that Christ has shed His own blood for his soul. The state of Horatio’s soul was well, not because it was filled with joy, but because by the objective saving work of God, it was secure. His hope was in the Gospel.
1 John 4:10
Beautiful
thanks 