Did You Know?

Horatio G. Spafford was born in North Troy, New York in October of 1828. He had deep religious roots and was a devoted student of the Scriptures. As a young man, Spafford established a successful legal practice in Chicago. Several months prior to the Chicago Fire of 1871, Spafford had invested heavily in some real estate on the shore of Lake Michigan. The Chicago Fire completely wiped him out. In need of some rest, he arranged a European trip taking his wife and four daughters in November of 1873. Due to an unexpected last minute buisness development, he had to remain in Chicago for a few days but he sent his wife and four daughters on ahead as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre. He planned to follow after his business dealings. On November 22, the S.S. Ville du Havre was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel, and sank in twelve minutes. It took several days for the survivors to land in Cardiff, Wales where Mrs. Spafford wired her husband, "Saved alone." Spafford boarded a ship to join his bereaved wife. As his ship passed the area thought to be where his four daughters lost their lives, he penned these words: "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."

We can hear the inspired words Paul wrote from God: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Col. 3:16) The songs we sing should have meaning to us as we sing with thankfulness to the Lord. That only comes if we allow the word of Christ to richly dwell within our hearts. It becomes more apparent in times of turmoil.