The Story Behind the Song

Last week we sang an updated version of the old hymn, It Is Well With My Soul.
As I sang the familiar words I recalled the story behind them.

The song was penned by a Chicago businessman named Horatio G. Spafford.
He suffered great financial losses due to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and while still grieving over the loss, the previous year, of their son he decided a vacation might be desirable.

He booked passage for his wife and four daughters and planned to follow them to England to hear D. L. Moody preach.  But, before his departure date the ship carrying his wife and daughters was struck by another vessel and sank.
Spafford received a cable from his wife saying, "Saved alone".

He sailed on the next ship for England and after seeing the supposed place of the tragedy Spafford began writing the hymn.

God's grace always abounds toward us, but often in times of great trial and loss it literally envelops us and somehow hope floods our aching hearts.   Somehow the old hymns capture this truth and resonate with our sorrows.

Do you love the great old hymns?
Find the full version of the story above and many more like it in this book still available from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Book-Hymns/dp/0842350721/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380574785&sr=1-1&keywords=the+one+year+book+of+hymns

More at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul 

It Is Well With My Soul(Original lyrics)^[1]When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,^aIt is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (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.
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!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of 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,
A song in the night, oh my soul! ^b

Peace like a river~
Don't think of some gently flowing late summer river.
No.
Instead ask for a gushing torrent of peace.
May this picture of a Springtime rushing Canadian river will be your prayer inspiration when next you need Peace Like a River.

  

 

 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27