I hope First Responder reads this post. If Joe, who suffered unimaginable grief, can come out on the strong end, so can we all. We just need to have faith.
Wow! Wow! Wow! My favorite hymn and I did not know. I hope some churches see this and remember to include this old hymn and others like it and stop singing lyrics made up by a third grader.
Very similar to the story of the author of the lyrics to "It Is Well with My Soul."
Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever.
Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after he finished some pressing business at home. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?”
Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred.
As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn:
Thanks for the ‘rest of the story’ of this beautiful hymn! I’ve so missed Paul Harvey and his ‘rest of the story’ stories. Those are such meaningful reminders that there is always ‘more to the story’ than what we know.
The local radio Station which included daily Paul Harvey. was sold. A young lady, working for the new owner, called me to buy advertising. Yes, I replied. I'd love to sponsor Paul Harvey. Who's Paul Harvey she replied. I told her to find someone over 30 at the station, ask them, and call me back. A few minutes later, she phoned. We are not allowed to air Paul Harvey on our station. Oh well.
I honestly do not know that hymn. But even less than 100 years ago, death lived much closer to our lives than now due to medical breakthroughs, less war and safety regulations. Imagine giving birth to 11 children only to have two survive and then lose one to war. Such was life for our ancestors. Now, deaths like these poor women are rare and shocking. We can only imagine that level of grief and trauma. Then, death struck most every day. I didn’t mean to get caught up in sad feelings but I do believe hymns (or singing at all) are a good way of praying when things are folding around you.
Look for Alan Jackson’s gospel albums. He has two and you will find that hymn on one of them. And listen to the other hymns he recorded too. You will fall in love with his voice and with those songs.
A mom after losing her daughter asked a church lady. "Where was God when my daughter was killed?" She answered, "The same place He was when his son was killed"
Sean, thanks for telling us the history of that beautiful old hymn, my Granddaddy Patton’s
favorite. My husband and I are traditionalists; we love the old hymns. The praise songs which repeat four verses 20 times each don’t touch our souls the way those beautiful old hymns do.
The thing that hits me is...we all have a story! Your God given life and mine are unique. A poem or beautiful song might not be a result..... but, count on it, there is some amazing stuff there!
I hope First Responder reads this post. If Joe, who suffered unimaginable grief, can come out on the strong end, so can we all. We just need to have faith.
Amen. Good timing.
Wow! Wow! Wow! My favorite hymn and I did not know. I hope some churches see this and remember to include this old hymn and others like it and stop singing lyrics made up by a third grader.
Couldn't agree with you more!
Amen
Wow… Absolute amazing how Gods grace carried him through such incredible pain.
🎵 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer🎵
Very similar to the story of the author of the lyrics to "It Is Well with My Soul."
Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever.
Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after he finished some pressing business at home. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?”
Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred.
As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll—
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My VERY FAVORITE hymn! The gospel trio I used to sing in, sang ‘It Is Well’ at almost every concert.
Some one said the bell represented the ship's bell as he wrote the hymn looking at the N. Atlantic. It is well....Bong. With my soul ... Bong.
No matter what we DON’T have, we ALWAYS have a Friend in Jesus 🙏
Satan’s finger was on Joe, but he had his Friend. We can all have a friend in Jesus. No finer words have been spoken. ❤️
Thanks for the ‘rest of the story’ of this beautiful hymn! I’ve so missed Paul Harvey and his ‘rest of the story’ stories. Those are such meaningful reminders that there is always ‘more to the story’ than what we know.
The local radio Station which included daily Paul Harvey. was sold. A young lady, working for the new owner, called me to buy advertising. Yes, I replied. I'd love to sponsor Paul Harvey. Who's Paul Harvey she replied. I told her to find someone over 30 at the station, ask them, and call me back. A few minutes later, she phoned. We are not allowed to air Paul Harvey on our station. Oh well.
That was their loss.
I honestly do not know that hymn. But even less than 100 years ago, death lived much closer to our lives than now due to medical breakthroughs, less war and safety regulations. Imagine giving birth to 11 children only to have two survive and then lose one to war. Such was life for our ancestors. Now, deaths like these poor women are rare and shocking. We can only imagine that level of grief and trauma. Then, death struck most every day. I didn’t mean to get caught up in sad feelings but I do believe hymns (or singing at all) are a good way of praying when things are folding around you.
Look for Alan Jackson’s gospel albums. He has two and you will find that hymn on one of them. And listen to the other hymns he recorded too. You will fall in love with his voice and with those songs.
A mom after losing her daughter asked a church lady. "Where was God when my daughter was killed?" She answered, "The same place He was when his son was killed"
We sang that on Sunday. In fact I was privileged to play it too. Now I sing it more deeply
Not just your ordinary, Joe
I might not have survived the second time.
I wonder how I survived the first time.
I certainly did not respond as well as this man did. But I am aware of God's continuing care.
I too am aware of it. 🙏🏽
This story prompted me to blow the dust off a recording of Doc Watson singing the hymn a cappella. Certainly the most moving rendition I’ve heard.
Thank you so much for sharing the story behind this beloved hymn.
Sean, thanks for telling us the history of that beautiful old hymn, my Granddaddy Patton’s
favorite. My husband and I are traditionalists; we love the old hymns. The praise songs which repeat four verses 20 times each don’t touch our souls the way those beautiful old hymns do.
Joe couldn’t have found a better friend!!
The thing that hits me is...we all have a story! Your God given life and mine are unique. A poem or beautiful song might not be a result..... but, count on it, there is some amazing stuff there!