This time last Sunday, we were finishing up a youth winter retreat at South Mountain Baptist Camp. The theme for the retreat was ROOTED, which comes from Ephesians 3: 17-19. During the weekend we heard four powerful messages from Kyle Lloyd, Dustin Lovelace, Clay Gillis and Jonathan Puckett.
However, it was Friday nights message that set the tone for the rest of the weekend, in an unexpected way. During his message, Kyle Lloyd shared the story of Horatio Spafford, the man who wrote the hymn”It Is Well With My Soul”. Just in case you do not know the story behind this hymn, let me share it with you today.
Horatio Spafford, a devout christians, was a lawyer in Chicago in the late 1800’s. He was married to Anna Spafford and they had five children. But in 1871 tragedy hit their home with the death of their only son. They also lost the majority of their business during the great Chicago fire but God in his mercy would allow the business to flourish again.
In 1873, Spafford desired to join his friend D.L. Moody in one of his campaigns in Great Britain he planned a European trip for his family. In November of that year, due to unexpected business developments he had t remain in Chicago, but he would send his wife and four daughters on ahead where he would meet up with them a few days later. That was on November 21, 1873. On November 22, 1873 the ship that Anna Spafford and the girls were traveling on, collided with another ship, sank within twelve minutes and killed their four daughters. Mrs. Spafford was rescued and days later made it to Cardiff, Wales. It was then that she wired he husband the message, “Saved alone, what shall I do?” (Mr. Spafford later framed this telegram and placed it in his office.) Immediately reading this telegram, Horatio left to join his wife. With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children went down. This hymn is said to have been penned as he approached the area of the ocean where the ship carrying his daughters had sunk.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Another daughter, Bertha, was born in 1878 as well as a son, Horatio, in 1880, though he later died of scarlet fever. After the birth of daughter Grace in 1881, Spafford and his wife moved to Jerusalem where he died and his buried in the city.
Amazingly, Horatio Stafford remains rooted in God, even in the deepest and darkest parts of his life. But because his roots remained planted in Christ, he was able to pen one of the most beloved hymns today.
It was this hymn, “It Is Well” that became the theme song for our retreat in an unexpected way, but then again, nothing comes as a surprise to God. He knew before the retreat that this hymn/song would be used in amazing ways to reach 100 teenagers and adults.
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