The name Horatio Spafford probably doesn’t mean very much to most of you, but his story is an inspiring one. Spafford was born in North Troy, New York, in the year 1828. As a young man, he moved to Chicago and became quite successful as an attorney. Unfortunately, he invested most of his earnings in real estate along Lake Michigan just prior to the great Chicago fire of 1871, and his entire fortune was wiped out by that disaster. To make matters worst, he had buried his only son a few months earlier.

Desiring a much-needed vacation for his wife and four daughters, Spafford planned a trip to Europe. He wanted to assist the renowned evangelist Dwight Moody in his missionary campaign throughout England. However, due to some last minute business obligations, Spafford was forced to remain in Chicago, while his family ventured out ahead of him. He hoped to join them as soon as he could.

Tragically, the ship on which his family was sailing struck another vessel, and sank in only twelve minutes. Mrs. Spafford, who was one of the few survivors, cabled her husband back in America with the sad news: “Saved alone. Our four daughters drown at sea.”

Overwhelmed with grief, Horatio Spafford traveled across the Atlantic to be with his bereaved wife. When he reached the location where his daughters had died, Spafford sat quietly on the deck, with pen and paper in hand, and he wrote the words of the well-known hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.”

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.

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back like a scroll:
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
“Even so”—it is well with my soul.

If nothing else, Spafford’s story is a remarkable testimony to the power and courage of the Christian faith!