IT IS WELL

     William Spafford (1828-1888) was a Christian and a wealthy Chicago lawyer when he and his wife experienced the death of their young son; and on October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed almost every real estate investment he had.
     In 1873, Spafford's wife and four daughters went on a vacation to Europe where he would meet them at a later date.  Several days later, however, the ship with his family aboard had a collision at sea and their four daughters perished, and his wife survived. 
     Spafford boarded a ship that would take him to his wife, and with a heavy heart from losing five children, he penned these words on a piece of paper:

     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 words Spafford wrote that day became the lyrics for one of the most beloved hymns in Christian churches for over one hundred years, thereby giving people hope in times of pain and great sorrow:

     It Is Well With My Soul