Author- Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888
Music- Philip B. Bliss, 1838-1876

This belovod hymn was written by a Presbyterian layman from Chicago named Horatio G. Spafford who was born in North Troy,New York, on October 20, 1828. As a young man Spafford had established successful legal practice in Chicago. along with his financial success, he always maintained a keen interest in Christian activities. He enjoyed close and active relationship with D.L.Moody and other evangelical leaders of that era. He was described as a "man of unusual intelligence and refinement, deeply spiritual, and devoted students of the Scriptures. Some months prior to the Chicago Fire of 1871, Spafford had invested heavily in real estate on the shore of Lake Michigan, and his holdings were wiped out by this disaster. Desiring a rest for his wife and four daughters as well as wishing to assist Moody and Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Brittain, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in November of 1873. Due to unexpected last minute business developments, he had to remain in Chicago, but he sent his wife and four daughters on ahead as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Harve. He expected to follow in few days. On November 22 the ship was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel, and sank in twelve minutes. several days later the survivors wer finally landed at Cardiff, Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, "Saved Alone." Shortly afterwards Spafford left by ship to join his bereaved wife. It is thought that on the sea near the area where his four daughters had drowned, Spafford penned this text whose words so significantly described his own personal grief-"When sorrows like sea billows role..." It is noteworthy, however that Spafford's hymn does not dwell on the theme of life's sorrows and trials but focuses attention in the third stanza on the redemptive work of Christ and in the fourth stanza anticipates his second Glorious Coming