As I delve into the story behind the beloved hymn "It Is Well With My Soul," I'm struck by the profound heartbreak and unwavering faith of its composers.
The lyrics were penned by Horatio Gates Spafford, a man whose life was marked by unimaginable tragedy. Born in 1828 in Troy, New York, Spafford was an American lawyer and devoted Presbyterian church elder. But in 1871, the Great Chicago Fire devastated his real estate investments, leaving him financially ruined.
Two years later, Spafford planned a family vacation to Europe, where his dear friend D.L. Moody would be preaching. Duty kept Spafford from joining his wife, Anna, and their four young daughters on the journey. Tragically, their ship, the Ville du Havre, was struck by another vessel, claiming the lives of all four children. Upon receiving the news, Anna sent Spafford a telegram with the heartbreaking words, "Saved alone.”
As Spafford's ship sailed near the tragic site where his beloved daughters had perished, he felt a profound sense of anguish and loss wash over him. Yet, in the midst of his overwhelming grief, a glimmer of faith began to stir within.
I can almost feel the gentle rocking of the vessel, the salty breeze caressing my face, as Spafford gazed out at the vast, churning waters. The weight of his devastation must have been palpable, a heaviness that threatened to consume him. And yet, through the haze of his sorrow, a spark of divine inspiration took hold.
With pen in hand, Spafford began to write the timeless words of "It Is Well With My Soul." Each stroke of the pen, each carefully chosen phrase, was imbued with a profound trust in God's sovereignty, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
As I reflect on this moment, I am humbled by Spafford's ability to find peace amidst the storm. His words, born of such profound sorrow, have the power to lift our spirits and remind us that, no matter the circumstances, it can indeed be well with our souls.
I can only imagine the depths of Spafford's grief in that moment, yet his response reveals an unwavering faith. It is from this place of profound sorrow that he penned the timeless lyrics, "It is well, it is well with my soul.”
After the devastating loss of his four daughters aboard the Ville du Havre, Horatio Spafford's life took a profound spiritual turn. In the midst of his unimaginable grief, he found solace in his faith.
Yet, Spafford's journey was far from over. Following the tragedy, he and his wife, Anna, welcomed three more children into their family - Horatio, Bertha, and Grace. But in 1880, their young son Horatio succumbed to scarlet fever, a final blow that propelled Spafford and Anna to embark on a lifelong spiritual pilgrimage.
Leaving their Presbyterian congregation, the couple began hosting prayer meetings in their home, becoming part of a Messianic sect known as "the Overcomers." In 1881, they settled in Jerusalem, establishing the American Colony, where they engaged in philanthropic work among the local Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities.
Tragically, Spafford's journey came to an end in 1888, when he succumbed to malaria at the age of 59. His final resting place, the Mount Zion Cemetery in Jerusalem, serves as a poignant reminder of the profound spiritual transformation that marked his later years.
It was during this time that Spafford's hymn found its musical counterpart. The tune was composed by Philip P. Bliss, a renowned American composer and gospel singer, who had been a close friend of the famous preacher D.L. Moody. Bliss's own life was marked by a deep devotion to his faith and a passion for music that would inspire countless souls.
Intertwined with Spafford's story is the life of Philip P. Bliss, a renowned American composer, conductor, and gospel singer. Bliss's musical talents were nurtured from a young age, as he grew up in a log cabin in Pennsylvania, where his father, Isaac, instilled in him a deep devotion to faith and prayer.
Despite his humble beginnings, Bliss went on to compose some of the most beloved hymns of the era, including "Hold the Fort," "Almost Persuaded," and the iconic tune for Spafford's "It Is Well with My Soul." His close friendship with the famous preacher D.L. Moody further cemented his place as a pillar of the gospel music community.
In 1858, while in Rome, Bliss met the woman who would become his wife, Lucy J. Young. From a musical family herself, Lucy encouraged Bliss to nurture his burgeoning talents. Together, they joined a Presbyterian church, where Bliss would continue to hone his skills as a composer and performer.
At the age of 22, Bliss embarked on a journey as an itinerant music teacher, traveling from community to community on horseback, accompanied by a melodeon. His passion for music was insatiable, and when he learned of the prestigious Normal Academy of Music event in Geneseo, New York, he was determined to attend, despite the financial challenges.
Fate intervened when Bliss's wife's grandmother, Grandma Allen, noticed his despondent demeanor and inquired about the cost of the academy. Upon learning that it would require thirty dollars – a significant sum at the time – Grandma Allen generously opened her old stocking, filled with years of savings, and provided Bliss with the necessary funds. This act of kindness allowed Bliss to immerse himself in six weeks of "the heartiest study of his life" at the prestigious academy, solidifying his reputation as an expert within his local community.
As Bliss continued his itinerant teaching, he turned his attention to composition, though none of his songs were ever copyrighted. In 1864, he and his wife, Lucy, moved to Chicago, where Bliss's talents as a singer and teacher gained him recognition. He even embarked on a lucrative concert tour, earning a remarkable $100 in just two weeks – a testament to his growing renown.
Yet, even as Bliss's career blossomed, the shadow of the Civil War loomed. He was briefly drafted into the Union Army, though his service was ultimately canceled. Undeterred, Bliss went on to secure a position at the renowned Root and Cady Musical Publishers, where he would spend the next eight years honing his craft and composing the hymns that would cement his legacy.
The story of Philip P. Bliss's life takes an even more profound turn in 1869, when he formed a pivotal association with the renowned evangelist Dwight L. Moody. Urged by Moody and others to abandon his lucrative position and embrace full-time Christian evangelism, Bliss heeded the call, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to spreading the gospel through his music.
Though Bliss had amassed significant wealth through his royalties, he selflessly channeled these resources into charitable endeavors and his evangelical pursuits. His unwavering commitment to his faith was matched by his staunch abolitionist views, which led him to serve as a lieutenant during the American Civil War.
Tragically, Bliss's life was cut short on December 29, 1876, when the train he and his wife, Lucy, were traveling on to attend one of Moody's meetings collapsed while crossing the Ashtabula River bridge in Ohio. The devastating Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster claimed the lives of 92 out of the 159 passengers, including Bliss and his beloved Lucy. Bliss was only 38 years old at the time of his untimely death.
Yet, even in the face of this unimaginable tragedy, a glimmer of hope emerged. In the wreckage of the train, a manuscript bearing the lyrics to Bliss's only well-known gospel song for which he had not written a tune, "I Will Sing of My Redeemer," was discovered. This poignant work was soon set to music by James McGranahan and became one of the first songs recorded by the pioneering inventor Thomas Edison.
As I reflect on the lives of Bliss and Horatio Spafford, the writers of the beloved hymn "It Is Well With My Soul," I am struck by the profound ways in which their personal tragedies and unwavering faith converged to create a timeless anthem that continues to comfort and inspire countless souls. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, the Lord can bring forth beauty, hope, and eternal truth.
While contemplating which one of my songs would best be coupled with this enduring hymn, my heart with immediately went to “Hide Me In the Cleft of the Rock.” As I thought about the song, the poignant words resonated deeply, for they speak to the universal human experience of facing adversity and the relentless attacks of the enemy. In times of spiritual warfare, when the weight of temptation and accusation threatens to overwhelm us, the choice before us is clear – we can either succumb to the lies of the adversary or stand firm in the truth that sets us free.
For me, the wisest path forward is to take refuge in the sanctuary of God's presence, to hide ourselves within the cleft of the Rock that is our Savior. It is in these sacred moments of solace that we find the strength to fight off the enemy's advances and reclaim the peace and joy that is our birthright as children of God.
My song, "Hide Me in the Cleft of the Rock," was born out of these very trials, a testament to the power of faith to transform sorrow into triumph. When we sing its lyrics, we are reminded that we are never alone, that God's grace is sufficient to carry us through even the darkest of valleys.
In the lives of Horatio Spafford and Philip P. Bliss, we see this same unwavering faith forged in the crucible of personal tragedy. Their hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul," stands as a timeless beacon of hope, reminding us that even when the storms of life rage all around us, our souls can find solace in the knowledge that God is good and God is faithful.
I thank God for using even the tragedies of life through such powerful stories to encourage us with the truth that He will NEVER leave us…NEVER forsake us. May we all find the courage to hide ourselves in the cleft of the Rock, and may the truth of God's love and steadfastness be the anchor that steadies our souls, no matter the trials we face.
Dennis Jernigan
To hear The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this blog and to hear the songs, It Is Well With My Soul, and. Hide Me in the Cleft of the Rock, go to https://www.patreon.com/posts/it-is-well-with-107747211
Photo of Ville du Havre courtesy of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Ville_du_Havre#/media/File:Ville_du_Havre.jpg