It is Well with My Soul

1. 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.”

Refrain
It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul);
It is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed his own blood for my soul.

3, 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!

4. O Lord, haste the day when my 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.

5. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper thy peace to my soul.

Horatio Gates Spafford was born October 20, 1828 at Troy, Rensselaer County, New York, the son of Horatio Gates Spafford, Sr. and Elizabeth Clark Hewitt. His father was the publisher of the Gazetteer of New York. Spafford married Norwegian-American Anna Tobine Larsen Øglende in Chicago on September 5, 1861. Horatio Spafford, Jr. was a lawyer at a large law firm in Chicago, a church elder in the Fullerton Avenue Presbyterian Church, as well as good friends with evangelist Dwight L. Moody. Eventually he would withdraw from the Fullerton Church and emerged a dissident leader in a chapel he built behind his home. The group called themselves “Saints,” and was called by “Spaffordites” or “Overcomers” by their opponents.[i]

Horatio and Anna Gates, with some of their followers, founded “the American Colony” in Israel. Spafford died in Jerusalem of malaria on September 25, 1888. He was buried in the Mount Zion Cemetery in Jerusalem.

The story of the song It Is Well with My Soul is fairly well-documented. As with many others, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was a calamitous loss for the Spaffords. This was followed two years later by and the sea-faring deaths of their four young daughters. They drowned on a transatlantic voyage. Horatio was home working in Chicago, while his wife and daughters traveled to England. They were on board the steamship SS Ville du Havre. On November 22, 1873, the iron sailing vessel Loch Earn collided with the Ville du Havre. Two hundred twenty-six of the 313 member passengers and crew were killed, including the Spafford’s daughters. Anna escaped. Upon reaching Cardiff, Wales, she sent Horatio a telegram, “Saved alone.” Survivors reported that they heard the child Annie Spafford (age 11) calmly say, “Don’t be afraid. The sea is His, and He made it.”

Soon Horatio Spafford traveled to meet his wife. When his ship passed near where the Ville du Havre sank, he felt inspired to write the lines we know as It Is Well with My Soul. Spafford wrote in a letter to his sister-in-law:

“On Thursday last we passed over the spot where she went down, in mid-ocean, the water three miles deep. But I do not think of our dear ones there. They are safe, folded, the dear lambs, and there, before very long, shall we be too. In the meantime, thanks to God, we have an opportunity to serve and praise Him for His love and mercy to us and ours. ‘I will praise Him while I have my being.’ May we each one arise, leave all, and follow Him.”

A reproduction of the original manuscript can be seen HERE. It has only four stanzas (which are the four contained in many hymnals and in first printing). The last line – “Even so, it is well with my soul” was originally “A song in the night, oh my soul!”

For more on the song, see Our Jerusalem: An American Family in the Holy City 1881-1949, by Bertha Spafford Vester, pp. 45-46, et al.

Another stanza (by Spafford, I think) was added to the song later (see No. 5, above), and some books print a sixth stanza (as follows), whose origin is unknown to me.

But, Lord, ’tis for thee, for thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

The tune, known as Ville du Havre, was written by the evangelistic singer Philip Paul Bliss (1838 – 1876) in 1876. For some biographical information on Bliss, see “My Redeemer.” The meter of It Is Well with My Soul is 11.8.11.9. with refrain. The refrain seems likely added by Bliss when he wrote the tune. Gospel Hymns No. 2 by Ira Sankey and P. P. Bliss seems to be the first printing of the song. It is No. 76. The scripture under the song title is “He hath delivered my soul in peace” (Psalm 55:18). Other related scriptures include Isaiah 66:12 (I will extend peace to her like a river); 2 Kings 4:26 (Is it well? It is well); Psalm 146:1 (Praise the Lord, O my soul) and Isaiah 34:4 (the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll).

This is a wonderful hymn expressing the peace and wellness of soul available to those who put their trust in God.

Psalm 84:12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

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[i] This is such a well-loved and comfort-giving hymn that I will pull the curtain of charity over its author. Suffice it to say that while all may have been well with the soul of Horatio Gates Spafford, all was not well with his theology as he progressed further and further in life.

I gave you one book, and other quotes

The posting of quotes of human authors does not constitute agreement with either the quotes or their sources. (I try to confirm the sources that I give, but may miss on occasion; please verify if possible.)

“What if you get to heaven one day, then the God of all the universe tells you, ‘I gave you one book, and you mean to tell me you never managed to read it.’” -- Reta Dyess

“The LXX continues to be treated with a mystical reverence wholly out of proportion to its origins.” -- Peter Van Kleeck, Sr.

“We are not called to manage a goat farm. We are called to shepherd God’s sheep with God’s word.” -- Keith Foskey

“Influence is not unimportant, but it should never be all-important. The glory of God, not the influence of gifted men, governs the priorities for calling and appointing pastors.” -- Scott Hurst

“Never overestimate the power of one great sermon. Never underestimate the power of many good sermons week after week.” -- Ray Pritchard

“Money is not the solution to poverty when poverty is still rooted in the mind” -- Omotade Makinwa

“The poor are those ‘passing over opportunities repeatedly.’” -- Herman Johnson

“Paul was a ‘cross-eyed’ preacher.” -- Robert Smith, Jr.

“America is not gospel hardened. It is gospel ignorant because its preachers are gospel ignorant.” -- Paul Washer

“A church that elevates sexual orientation above the Scriptures is not loving, it’s lost.” -- Chad Prather

“If the Bible is no longer their authority, then the ‘church’ is no longer a church.” -- Chad Prather

“60% of the time it works every time.” -- Brian Fantana

“I believe in prayer, but the last place you want to be is on a Southern woman’s prayer chain. All that means is, ‘I will tell everybody your business.’ Amen.” -- J. J. Barrow

“God created man in his own image and ever since then man has been trying to return the favor.” -- Andrew Remillard (perhaps quoting someone else)

Two for one, Sacred Harp history

In researching a composer of a song in the 1911 J. L. White Sacred Harp, A. O. Jackson, I was not only able to identify him, but also Mattie Pope of the 1902 W. M. Cooper Sacred Harp, who I had previously failed to identify.

Jackson, A. O. Andrew Orestes Jackson was born August 20, 1888 at Glenwood, Alabama. He was the son of Andrew Jackson and Mary Ann Richburg. He graduated from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute in 1916 with a Bachelors of Science degree,[i] served in World War I, and afterward married Martha Matilda “Mattie” Pope (1889–1947) on September 7, 1919 in Luverne, Crenshaw County, Alabama. They were active in singing conventions in this area. Mattie is credited with arranging The Blessed Lamb in the Cooper Revision of The Sacred Harp. She taught music, including piano. A. O. Jackson served on the “Examining Committee” of the Sweetwater Musical Convention (1912), Secretary of the Luverne Annual Singing (1924), and in other offices A. O. worked at several occupations, but primarily as a teacher. He advertised as a piano tuner in Luverne in the mid-1920s. They lived in Luverne, Mountain Creek, and Montgomery in Alabama, and Miami in Florida (and perhaps other places). After Mattie’s death, A. O. Jackson married Germa Blanton in 1949. He died April 30, 1982 in Brooks County, Georgia. A. O. and Mattie are buried in the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Thomasville, Thomas County, Georgia.

504       The Love of God

Pope, Mattie. Martha Matilda “Mattie” Pope was the daughter of George William Pope and Sarah Missouri Head of Crenshaw County, Alabama, born January 29, 1889. She arranged The Blessed Lamb, a song already in The Sacred Harp on page 454, when she was about 13 years old. The greatest part of the arrangement of this tune is the change of the initial section from 3/4 to 2/4 time. There are a few note changes as well. Minnie Floyd added the alto part. In her youth, Mattie was active in the singings in Crenshaw County. She served as secretary of the all-day singing at Luverne in 1908 (as well as other years). W. M. Cooper was among the “prominent visiting singers present.” Mattie taught music in school, and taught private piano lessons. She married fellow Sacred Harp singer A. O. Jackson at Luverne, September 7, 1919. They lived in Luverne, Mountain Creek, and Montgomery in Alabama, and Miami in Florida (and perhaps other places). Mattie died in Miami, Florida. A. O. and Mattie are buried in the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Thomasville, Thomas County, Georgia.

454       The Blessed Lamb (arranged)

 

Jackson, A. O.

U.S. Censuses 1900-1950

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176908845/andrew_orestes-jackson

“The Sweet Water Singing Convention,” Crenshaw County News, Thursday, August 8, 1912, p. 4

“Singing Convention at Campground,” The Luverne Journal, Thursday, July 29, 1915, p. 8

“Luverne Annual Singing,” Crenshaw County News, Thursday, June 5, 1924, p. 1

“For Piano Tuning,” Crenshaw County News, Thursday, July 3, 1924, p. 3

 

Pope, Mattie

U. S. Federal Censuses, 1900-1940

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176908826/martha-matilda-jackson

“News of Luverne,” The Montgomery Advertiser, Tuesday, June 9, 1908, p. 2

“Pope-Jackson At Luverne,” The Luverne Journal, Thursday, September 18, 1919, p. 1

“Mrs. A. O. Jackson Dies At Her Home in Miami,” The Montgomery Advertiser, Saturday, November 1, 1947, p. 8

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[i] Alabama Polytechnic Institute is now Auburn University.

Acts 28:23-29

Expounding the kingdom of God, 28:23-29

Now in Rome, Paul has an interview with the Jews on two occasions, 17-22 and 23-28. In this first meeting, he makes four points in his defense. In the second meeting, he makes three points of prosecution.. Paul (1) testifies to the Jews at Rome, 23-24; (2) charges them with fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy, 25-27; and (3) declares the message of salvation goes to the Gentiles, v. 28.[1] 

Verse 23: A day was settled upon to hear from Paul on their questions “concerning this sect.” The Jews came to where Paul lodged. The latter part of this verse summarizes Paul’s preaching to many Jews who came there to his lodging to hear him. Paul spent the day (from morning till evening) preaching the word. He presented two related subjects from one authoritative source – the Scriptures (out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets). This is descriptive. It explains what Paul said to the Jews that day. This is also prescriptive. It teaches regarding the proper content of Christian preaching. Paul “expounded and testified the kingdom of God.” The subject of the kingdom of God covers the rule and reign of God in broad swaths. Paul was “persuading them concerning Jesus,” honing in on the central message of the kingdom. The gospel (death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ) was his constant theme (I Corinthians 1:23). When Jesus Christ came in the flesh (John 1:14), God’s rule broke into this world in a special and unique way (Galatians 4:4-5). God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ will triumph over all (Revelation 11:15). Faithful Christian preaching will consistently proclaim from the Scriptures these two related subjects and all that is included in them.

Paul (1) expounded, (2) testified, and (3) persuaded. He set forth, expounded, exegeted the truth from the Scriptures. As a witness (Acts 1:8), he testified of its correctness (probably including personal testimony, eyewitness testimony). He persuaded, that is, appealed to their hearts and minds the importance and necessity of believing and receiving the truths he has expounded and testified. Paul’s authentic interpretation of the text, exegetic communication of the text, and explicit application of the text can serve to help guide in the minister’s faithful preaching of the gospel.

The unconverted Jews listened “from morning till evening,” showing a greater tenacity of interest than many moderns who call themselves Christians!

Verse 24: Some believed what Paul said. Some did not believe what he said. Though Luke does not indicate the proportion of believers and unbelievers, Paul’s reaction suggests the number in unbelief comprise the greater number.

Verse 25-27: Paul propels the Old Testament prophet Isaiah toward their hearts, referencing Isaiah 6:9-10. Jesus also used this text to illustrate his rejection rather than reception – by those who did not have ears to hear (cf. Matthew 13:14-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10). See also John 12:40, where it stands not in a conversation, but as an explanatory note, as well as Romans 11:18. “waxed gross” excessively fat, cf. Isaiah 6:10. A heart that cannot be penetrated with truth.

Isaiah addressed “our fathers” – but now his words speak to you!

Verse 28: Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. God, through the words of Paul, provokes them to jealousy. See Deuteronomy 32:21.

• But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. Romans 10:19
• I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Romans 11:11

Verse 29: “And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves” by those who believed and did not believe, concerning the meaning of the things Paul taught them from the Scriptures. These words in verse 29 are lacking in sources such as Sinaiticus (א) and therefore do not appear in many modern English translations. Critics complain that they only appear in later sources (such as Codex Porphyrianus, or P, 9th century). However, it appears in the Latin Vulgate translation – indicating it was in Jerome’s sources when he was translating it from AD 383 to AD 405. The reading is found in the Majority Text family and the Itala MSS. The sentence provides a natural and logical culmination of the previous verses. J. A. Alexander concludes, “its insertion is as hard to be accounted for as its omission.”[2] The preserved word properly contains it.

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[1] Fitzmeyer, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 790.
[2] Alexander, The Acts of the Apostles, 1857, p. 495. Many today are establishing the text according to the academy rather than according to the church. Jay Chambers says that preachers who take this approach “they have to make an acknowledgement to the grandmothers in the congregation that their Bible is spurious.” (“Preaching & the Text of Revelation,” Reformation Bible Society Conference, August 2, 2025) “The most reprehensible pedantry of all is that which delights in criticising and amending the received English version…If their confidence in its fidelity is overthrown, they are virtually robbed of the written word of God” (Robert L. Dabney, Sacred Rhetoric, 1870, pp. 162-163).

Ask your politician

MAYBE YOU CAN USE THIS TODAY!

I ran across a writing by a man named Tyson Zahner. I don’t know him. However, he developed some questions to in order to “tell when a politician is using Scripture faithfully vs. using Jesus to sell you something.” I think the questions are useful. Some of this idea developed out of his hearing Texas candidate James Talarico on the Joe Rogan podcast turning “the incarnation of Christ into a campaign ad for abortion.” (If you have the stomach for it, you can listen to Talarico on Joe Rogan Experience on YouTube. He claimed Mary “gave consent” to God at the Annunciation and that becomes a model for bodily autonomy; i.e. choosing abortion. He also said Jesus never mentioned abortion or homosexuality.) Though this started with Talarico, you can apply the questions to any politician on any side of the aisle (and those straddling the middle). I share Zahner’s questions in my own words (I can understand and hopefully present them better than way) because I think they can be helpful to Christians trying to cut through the noise. Don’t just run with one question alone; all five together will help a pretty clear picture to emerge out of the fog.

1. Is this position consistent with what the Christians have generally held for centuries, or has it just conveniently appeared more recently?

2. Does the position take into account the full counsel of Scripture, or just cherry-pick a verse or two while ignoring the context in which it sits (and the broader context of the whole of inspired Scripture)?

3. Is Scripture used to arrive at a conclusion, or twisted to fit a conclusion already held?

4. Does the argument hold up when applied consistently? For example, someone says, “Jesus never mentioned abortion” as if that settles the issue. So then will he apply that principle and say, “Jesus never mentioned sex trafficking” – and that makes sex trafficking okay. (I think it is easy to see the supposed logic crumbles under its own weight.)

5. Does the presenter of the position invite honest debate, or rather merely throw up Jesus as a shield to shut down disagreement?

Apply those to James Talarico and the answers indicate he is biblically wrong on abortion and homosexuality. Apply those to the positions of John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, Wesley Hunt, and Jasmine Crockett to see what you get. Apply those to Paula White, the President’s leader of the White House Faith Office. Apply them to any and all claiming the Bible approves their brand of politics. Apply them to you and me. Tyson Zahner has created and asked some helpful questions that work across the board.

And...

Just to be clear on Talarico, he is a very liberal Christian who does not accept the inspiration, infallibility, and authority of the Bible. The biblical positions I have heard him present are biblical nonsense.

Whales are fish: Biblical taxonomy

The Bible does not follow modern “Linnaean taxonomy” (rooted in the formulations of Carl Linnaeus in the 1700s). In ancient thought, classifications of creatures were grouped by movement and habitat rather than biology (e.g., sea vs. air vs. land; cf., for example, Genesis 1:28; Hosea 4:3). Consider this in regard to the modern classification of the bat as a mammal, while the Bible classifies bats with fowls of the air in Leviticus 11:13-19. Due to flight in the air, the bat is classified among the fowl of the air; due to swimming in the sea, the whale is classified among the fish of the sea. This seems to bother some modern folk. However, there is no reason for Christians to run away like frightened children just because the Bible uses its own classification system rather than following what has been developed by modern scientists. Why accept what men have said over what God has said?

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Note: “Linnaean taxonomy is a hierarchical system for classifying and naming organisms developed by Carl Linnaeus. It organizes biological diversity into categories like kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.” The fear of the difficult drives some commentators to affirm odd, unresearched, and false statements. For example, the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges commentary states: “It is scarcely needful to note that there are no whales in the Mediterranean.” There are actually a number of whale species found in the Mediterranean Sea.

A Farmer’s Prayer

 

Origin of picture unknown

God leads us along

The hymn “God Lead Us Along” alludes to numerous places in scripture, beginning with Psalm 23:1. Led through the water and fire leads us to Isaiah 43:2 – as well as thinking of the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea, and the three Hebrew children cast into the fiery furnace. God leads us wherever we go. He is strong, he is sure, he is trustworthy. “All things work together for good to them that love God…”

1. In shady green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.

Chorus:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

2. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

3. Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.

4. Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.

The above song (words and music) – most often titled God Leads Us Along – is credited to George A. Young or G. A. Young, 1903. Other than a name, this author is unknown. The song is some books is recorded as “Copyright 1903, Purity Publishing Company, C. F. Weigle, Owner.” (although some later books, such as Tabernacle Hymns, give the copyright in 1903 by G. A. Young). The 1904 Catalogue of Title Entries of Books and Other Articles seems to clear this up as one of a group of 26 songs copyrighted December 30, 1903 by Purity Publishing Company, Austin, Illinois (Catalogue of Title Entries of Books and Other Articles Entered in the Office of the Register of Copyrights, Volume 40, No. 4 Library of Congress, at Washington, D.C., First Quarter, 1904, Whole No. 661. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1904, pp. 72-73).[i]

Purity Publishing Company was incorporated in 1904 in Chicago, Illinois, by S. Henry Bolton, Charles F. Weigle, and Clayton E. Ford. These men all seem to have been involved in the Holiness movement. In 1902, S. Henry Bolton was pastor of Austin Holiness Church, Austin, Illinois (being an area of Chicago Illinois). That same year, he was involved in incorporating the International Apostolic Holiness Union, based in Chicago. Clayton E. Ford is probably Clayton Ellsworth Ford, a building contractor and layman in the holiness movement. In 1907, his daughter Ida E. married Rev. James William Chaney at the Austin Full Gospel Tabernacle, Austin, Chicago, Illinois.

Charles Frederick Weigle (1871-1966) is the better-known of the three men. He was an evangelist and the author of the song, No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus. Weigle Avenue in Sebring, Florida is named in his honor. This hymn was supposedly written when his first wife left him. She was from a wealthy family; he became an itinerant evangelist.[ii] She did not want to live that way. He died at age 95 and is buried at the Pinecrest Cemetery in Sebring, Highlands County, Florida beside his second wife Carrie Hight Weigle. It appears that he was converted as a Methodist, then participated in the Holiness movement, and finally at some point became a Baptist.

The little bit of information we have about the author of God Leads Us Along (which is very little) has been passed on by Haldor Lillenas (1885-1959), the founder of the Lillenas Publishing Company. In the 1940s, Lillenas was able to locate the widow of George A. Young. According to his report of the story, George Young was a struggling carpenter and preacher. After many years of saving, around the beginning of the 20th-century he built a small home for his family. The joy and rest was short-lived. While he and his family were away from home at church services, rowdy hoodlums burned their home. The hymn “God Leads Us Along” was written with this event in on his mind.

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[i] Austin, Illinois is an area on the west side of Chicago, and the company later designated as being in Chicago.
[ii] The fact that the song was not published until 1932 – after Weigle was already married to Carrie Hight – calls in question the “when” part of this story.

In other words, b to threnody

• threnody, noun. A poem or song of mourning or lamentation.
• solipsism, noun. The view that the self is the only reality.
• sforzando, noun. (Music) A tempo mark directing to play a note with sudden, strong emphasis.
• Satanist, noun. a person who engages in any of a highly diverse group of religious, philosophical, or countercultural practices centered around Satan.
• quoz, noun. An odd, absurd, or ridiculous person or thing.
• pogonotrophy, noun. The act of cultivating, or growing and grooming, a mustache, beard, sideburns or other facial hair.
• plenipotentiary, noun. A person (especially a diplomat) Invested with full power to act on behalf of another.
• maladroit, adjective. Marked by a lack of adroitness; clumsy; inept; awkward in movement or unskilled in behavior.
• magister, noun. A master or teacher in ancient Rome; a male member/priest of the Fourth Degree in the Church of Satan (female, magistra); the possessor of a master’s degree.
• maga, noun. A female member/priestess of the Fifth Degree in the Church of Satan (male, magus).
• lucubration, noun. Laborious study or thought; the product of such laborious effort or study.
• lubrication, noun. Minimizing the friction force between surfaces sliding on each other, by lubricant (by a fluid, such as oil).
• lex talionis, noun. The principle or law of equal retaliation (i.e., a punishment inflicted should correspond in degree and kind to the offense of the wrongdoer, as “an eye for an eye”). Latin “law of talion” (i.e., retribution).
• grotto, noun. A cave or cavern; an artificial cavernlike recess or structure.
• Disneyfication, noun. The process of transforming real places, events, cultures, or ideas into simplified, sanitized, and commercially appealing entertainment.
• cosplay, noun. The practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game (portmanteau of costume and play).
• Church of Satan, proper noun. A religious organization dedicated to the religion of Satanism as defined by Anton Szandor LaVey.
• cabal, noun. A secret political clique or faction; a small group of secret plotters; a mystical local group of Satanists.
• bicinium, noun. An unaccompanied composition for only two parts, especially one for the purpose of teaching counterpoint.