Horatio Gates Spafford was born on October 20th, 1828 in New York. Horatio, a lawyer, and his wife Anna were very active in their church. Their home was always open to visitors. They were contemporaries and friends of D.L. Moody. While they had many material blessings, tragedy struck their home. Their son, age 4, died of scarlet fever. A year later, the Great Chicago Fire struck, damaging many properties owned by Spafford. While they endured significant financial loss, the Spaffords demonstrated their faith and love of God by assisting those in need around them.
Two years later, Horatio Spafford decided to take a holiday with his family to England to meet with his friend D.L. Moody. Spafford was delayed due to work and sent the rest of his family ahead. This included his wife and their 4 daughters - Anna (11), Margaret Lee (9), Elizabeth (5), and Tanetta (2). While their ship, the Ville du Havre, was crossing the Atlantic, it collided with another ship. 226 people lost their lives and the boat housing Spafford’s family sank in 12 minutes. All 4 of Spafford’s children died in the collision, but his wife survived. She was found unconscious, floating on a plank of wood. After being rescued, she sent a telegram to her husband with only two words, “Saved alone”.
Immediately after receiving the telegram from his wife, Horatio Spafford set sail to meet her. While on the journey, the captain of the boat brought Spafford to the bridge and showed him the spot where the Ville du Havre sank, the place where his daughters had died. Spafford returned to his cabin and wrote the first 4 verses 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 hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (With my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (With my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
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!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (With my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
And Lord haste the day when the 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
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (With my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Anna Spafford was devastated by the loss. She said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand why”. Though grief-stricken, Anna heard a voice reminding her that she was saved for a purpose. Following that tragedy, Horatio and Anna Spafford had 3 more children. But, their sufferings did not end there. At age 4, their second son, named after the first, also died.
In August 1881, Horatio Spafford, his family, and other Christians moved to Jerusalem. There they served the needy, poor, and sick, as well as taking in homeless children. They wanted to spread the love of God to whomever they came across. In October 1888, Horatio Spafford died of malaria. His wife, Anna Spafford continued to work in Jerusalem until she died in 1923.
The Spafford truly lived their lives for the glory of God and to show the love of Christ to their fellow neighbors. Though they faced more tragedy than can be imagined, they persevered like Job in the Bible. They lived their lives knowing that God had a plan for them despite the sufferings that they had to deal with. We can learn so much from the life of the Spaffords. Even when they suffered, they did not turn their back on God or His people. In the same way, we should remember that our suffering is only for a time and that our lives should be sacrificed fully for God’s service.
