The classic hymn "It Is Well" was written by Horatio Spafford, a successful businessman and devout Christian who lived in Chicago in the late 1800s. Spafford was a prominent figure in the community and a close friend of evangelist Dwight L. Moody. However, tragedy struck when Spafford's son died of scarlet fever, and just two years later, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed all of his real estate investments. Spafford decided to take a family vacation to Europe to lift their spirits, but due to business obligations, he had to send his wife and four daughters ahead of him. Tragically, their ship, the SS Ville du Havre, collided with another vessel and sank. Spafford's wife was one of the few survivors, but his four daughters perished. It was in the aftermath of this terrible event that Spafford wrote the hymn "It Is Well."
The inspiration for the hymn came to Spafford as he traveled to England to meet his grieving wife. According to the story, as his ship passed over the spot where his daughters had drowned, he was struck by the realization that Christ's sacrifice had paid for his sins and his daughters' sins. He wrote down the words to the hymn on a scrap of paper, beginning with the lines "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."
The hymn quickly became popular in Christian circles and has remained a beloved classic to this day. It has been covered by numerous artists, from Mahalia Jackson to Carrie Underwood, and its message of hope and trust in God in the midst of tragedy has comforted countless people over the years.
