From: eng10459@nusunix1.nus.sg (TAN CHEE LEONG)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: It is Well with my Soul
Date: 4 Jan 93 03:27:05 GMT
Organization: National University of Singapore

Just want to share with all of you:


                     IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
            Author - Horatio G. Spafford 1828 - 1888

     This beloved gospel song was written by a Chicago Presbyterian
layman, Horatio G. Spafford, born in North Troy, New York, on
October 20, 1828.  As a young man Spafford had established a most
successful legal practice in Chicago.  Despite his financial
success, he always maintained a keen interest in Christian
activities.  He enjoyed a close and active relationship with D. L.
Moody and the 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.  Just before this he
had experienced the death of his son.  Desiring a rest for his wife
and four daughters as well as wishing to join and assist Moody and
Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Britain, Spafford planned
a European trip for his family in 1873.  In November of that year,
due to unexpected last minute business developments, he had to
remain in Chicago; but sent his wife and four daughters on 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 afterward Spafford left
by ship to join his bereaved wife.  It is speculated that on the
sea near the area where it was thought his four daughters had
drowned, Spafford penned this text with words so significantly
describing his own personal grief - "When sorrows like sea billows
roll..."  It is noteworthy, however, that Spafford does not dwell
on the theme of life's sorrows and trials but focuses attention in
the third stanza on the redemptive work of Christ and in the fourth
verse anticipates His glorious second coming.  Humanly speaking, it
is amazing that one could experience such personal tragedies and
sorrows as did Horatio Spafford and still be able to say with such
convincing clarity, "It is well with my soul."

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

Tho Satan should buffet, tho 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, (it is well)
with my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, It is well, with my soul.

Extracted from: 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck

My sin - O the bliss of this glorious tho't -
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!

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.