Lord’s Day, Vol. 7 No. 20

It is Well With My Soul

– Hymn Story

This beloved hymn was written by a Presbyterian layman from Chicago named Horatio G. Spafford who born in North Troy, New York, on October 20, 1828. As a young man Spafford had established a successful legal practice in Chicago. Along with his financial success, he always maintained a keen interest in Christian activities. He enjoyed a close and active relationship with D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of that era. He was described by George Stebbins, a noted gospel musician, as a “man of unusual intelligence and refinement, deeply spiritual, and a devoted student of the Scriptures.”

Some months prior to the Chicago Fire of 1871, Spafford had invested heavily in real estate on the shore of Lake Michigan, and his holdings were wiped out by this disaster. Desiring a rest for his wife and four daughters as well as wishing to assist Moody and Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Britain, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in November of 1873. Due to unexpected last minute business developments, he had to remain in Chicago, but he sent his wife and four daughters ahead as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre. He expected to follow in a few days. On November 22 the ship was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel, and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survivors were finally landed at Cardiff, Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, “Saved alone.” Shortly afterwards near the sea where his four daughters had drowned, Spafford penned this text whose words so significantly describe his own personal grief – “When sorrows like sea billows roll…” It is noteworthy, however, that Spafford’s hymn does not dwell on the theme of life’s sorrows and trials but focuses attention in the third stanza on the redemption work of Christ and in the fourth stanza anticipates His glorious Second Coming. Humanly speaking, it is amazing that one could experience such personal tragedies and sorrows as Horatio Spafford did and still be able to say with such convincing clarity, “It is well with my soul.”

 In 1881, the Spafford fulfilled a life-long interest in the Holy Land. They left Chicago with their two daughters and a group of friends and settled in Jerusalem. There they established an American Colony which cared for the sick and destitute. Although Horatio died just eight years later at the age of sixty, this significant ministry continued. The story of this special family and their ministry is told in the book, Our Jerusalem, written by the Spafford’s daughter, Bertha Spafford Vesper.

Philip P. Bliss was so impressed with the experience and expression of Spafford’s text that he shortly wrote the music for it, first published in one of the Sankey-Bliss Hymnals, Gospel Hymns No. Two, in 1876. Bliss was a prolific writer of gospel songs throughout his brief lifetime. In most cases, he wrote both the words and music for his hymns. His songs, like most early gospel hymnody, are strong in emotional appeal with tunes that are easily learned and sung.

Philip P. Bliss was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, on July 9, 1838. His youthful days were spent on a farm in a lumber camp. He described his childhood as one of abject poverty. He was known as a large, awkward, overgrown boy. In 1850 he accepted Christ as his Saviour and shortly thereafter joined the Cherry Flats Baptist Church of Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Early in life Bliss showed an unusual talent for music. After a brief period of training, he moved to Chicago, where he became involved with Dr. George Root, conducting musical institutes and conventions through the West for nearly ten years. In 1874 Bliss was approached by and challenged by evangelists D.L. Moody and Major Daniel W. Whittle to enter full-time evangelistic work with them. From this time until his untimely death two years later, Bliss’s personal singing and song leadership were always outstanding features of any service in which he was engaged. His early home-going occurred when the train on which he and his wife were travelling from Pennsylvania to Chicago during the Christmas season overturned and plunged into a ravine, sixty feet below, killing 100 passengers.

In addition to being known as a man of commanding stature and an impressive public personality, Bliss was also highly regarded by his fellow music colleagues. George C. Stebbins, also a noted gospel hymn writer of that era, wrote as follows:

There has been no writer of verse since his time who has shown such a grasp of the fundamental truths of the gospel, or such a gift of putting them into a poetic and singable form.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, 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 (it is well)
With my soul (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 (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

[Extracted and edited from 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck]

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee