Lynda Randle It Is Well

With this hymn comes one of the most heartrending stories in the annals of hymnody.

The author, Horatio G. Spafford (1828-1888), was a Presbyterian layman from Chicago. He had established a very successful legal practice as a young businessman and was also a devout Christian. Among his close friends were several evangelists including the famous Dwight L. Moody, also from Chicago.

Spafford’s fortune evaporated in the wake of the great Chicago Fire of 1871. Having invested heavily in real estate along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, he lost everything overnight.

In a saga reminiscent of Job, his son died a short time before his financial disaster.

But the worst was yet to come.

Spafford wanted a rest for his wife and four daughters and he wanted to join and help Moody and [his musician Ira] Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Britain.

Due to unexpected last-minute business developments, he had to remain in Chicago, but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead.
He expected to follow in a few days.

“On November 22 the ship was struck by 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.’”

Spafford left immediately to join his wife.

This hymn is said to have been written as he approached the area of the ocean thought to be where the ship carrying his daughters had sunk.

Spafford underwent what many would consider extreme testing, yet was able to declare in song, “It is well with my soul.