this song was written by Horatio G. Spafford.
He was an attorney in Chicago who lost a fortune in the huge fire there in 1871 because he had invested heavily in real estate. About that same time, he lost his 4 year old son (only son) to scarlet fever.
He poured himself into rebuilding the city and helping the 100,000 who had been left homeless.
In Nov. 1873, he decided to take his wife and daughters to Europe to hear Moody and Sanky in evangelistic meetings in England, and then go on and take vacation.
But something came up, so he sent his wife Anna and their four daughters on ahead. They sailed on the French liner Ville du Havre.
On Nov. 22, 1873, the ship they were on collided with an iron sailing vessel, ripping a hole in it. It sank within 2 hours. There were 226 fatalities including Horatio's 4 daughters. His wife survived and was found clinging to a piece of the wreckage. There were 47 survivors who made it to Cardiff, Wales. When his wife arrived, she sent a cable to her husband that said, "Saved alone."
he immediately sailed to join her. On the way, the captain called him aside and told him that he believed that they were right over the spot where his daughters had died. Horation went to his cabin, but couldn't sleep. He wrote the words down, "It is well; the will of God be done." Later he wrote his famous hymn based on those words.
Interesting story, eh?
Very interesting, Margie. Thanks for finding this. Says a lot about someone who can lose so much and still be able to say, with God, It Is Well With My Soul.
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
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!
Refrain
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.
Refrain
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!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
Refrain
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.
Refrain
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
If you're going to go by the person who penned the words, you'd better throw out all the Psalms--David was an adulterer and a murderer.
My opinion is that the work itself is somewhat autonomous from the author, especially sacred music which presumably has divine/spiritual inspiration. If it's uplifting, it doesn't lose that positive status simply because the person who wrote it commits a sin.
I try to judge music by the lyrics and the overall positive message. If I find out something bad about the author, it probably won't affect my affinity for the song. If Ozzie Osbourne were to write a hymn, and the message was good, I'd probably use it.
That said, I think there's merit to showing preference to music written by good, Christian people. I just don't see the need to shun music written by non-Christians.
Some of the most beautiful works of music and art have come from enormously imperfect people. IMO, God likes to do things that way. He has a long history of using flawed people. Good thing, or we'd have no hope of ever being a tool in His hands.
MissBratt, I'm in total agreement with you.
I remember when I was a teen that we had a lady in our church (Sis Forgy - ask our mutual friend about her. She was a treasure!). Anyhow, she liked to say that if we didn't praise God, God would raise up the rocks to worship Him because He is God and He WILL be worshipped.
Sometimes when I hear of songs written by someone who probably didn't know Him (I don't want to judge. That's between them and God), it's almost as if God is going to be worshipped. And if that means that the words have to come thru someone who doesn't even know Him, well, then I guess they will. Kind of like, "it's them or the rocks."
Does that make sense?
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Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of a battle ! ! ! !
I seem to remember that Hank Williams Sr. wrote a gospel song. Or maybe more than one.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Is the next line, "The sawdust on the floor is like pure gold?"
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Is the next line, "The sawdust on the floor is like pure gold?"
Why yes.....
I'll write a little piece for you.
My penthouse in heaven has neon lights. The saw dust on the floor is like pure gold. My toilet flushes with great authority, my bath tub has emeralds instead of mold.
Along these lines, is sound tracks... most, if any wouldn't let these musicians with their lifestyles on their platforms... but yet they will play and worship with their music.
The heresy hunters are still with us. Only now, instead of stakes, they use their books and radio programs to destroy those they consider heretics.... I'm concerned that heresy hunting may be turning into leukemia because some cultwatchers seem more intent on destroying parts of the body than healing the body....
My penthouse in heaven has neon lights. The saw dust on the floor is like pure gold. My toilet flushes with great authority, my bath tub has emeralds instead of mold.
Does your penthouse have one of these?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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