Horatio G. Spafford: The Man, The Myth, The Tragedy. A brief review of Thomas E. Corts’ “Seeking Solace, The Life and Legacy of Horatio G. Spafford”.

Cort’s impeccably and thoroughly researched biography of Spafford is a book I wish I hadn’t read, but find necessary that I did.

Throughout my life, the name Horatio Spafford was one I came to revere and admire.

To all who have imbibed the popular story behind Spafford’s composition of the words to “It is well with my soul”, he holds a cherished place in our hearts. As does his suffering wife, Anna. The account of losing nearly everything in the Chicago fire of 1871, followed by the unimaginable loss of his four daughters in a collision at sea between their passenger ship the Ville du Havre, and another ship, the Loch Earn – instinctively draws from our hearts the deepest sense of loss and compassion. Rightly so. But, with some of those central facts still intact, there remains yet much mythology that in the pursuit of truth, needs to be brought into the light.

Such de-mythologizing is painful. And I feel it keenly. But it is a necessary part of maturing. We often need to be dis-illusioned; freed from our illusions so that we can live in truth. And Corts’ fine biography does just that.

Warning: If you can’t handle seeing what may have been a hero to you examined in the bright light of reality, then do not, I repeat, DO NOT read this book. Go your blissful way with your image of Spafford unsullied and intact. But even at that, it is worth getting all the facts straight about the key points no matter what else you may learn.

We are all well aware that our heroes have flaws. Some more serious than others, but there are no super-saints among us. Some have flaws that are mere quirks of personality. Some are undergirded or exacerbated by mistaken understandings of Scripture. Some are located in a historical context very different from our own and ought not to be judged by present day sensibilities and cultural bents. Others, are truly disqualifying. Sadly, Spafford’s fall into the latter.

Let me lay out some of the chief myths Corts disabuses us of, and then fill in some additional information. I do not want to give a Cliff’s Notes version of the book. Rather, as you see some key facts, reading the book yourself will fill in the much-needed details.

Myth 1 – The Spafford’s lost everything in the Chicago fire. Untrue. Spafford was an attorney of some note, with an office and law library in Chicago which he indeed lost. The family lived, however, in a very fashionable suburb which suffered no damage by the fire whatever.

Myth 2 – Horatio penned the words to “It is well with my soul” while aboard a ship sailing over the place where his daughter’s drowned. Untrue. Ira Sankey – D. L. Moody’s close associate and Gospel singer remembered clearly it was not until 3 years after the tragedy. Philip Bliss who wrote the music for it and first sang it in public recalled the same. In fact, there is no record of Horatio ever placing any specific significance on the poem, or even referring to it. It was just one of many of his compositions.

Myth 3 – Upon her survival, Anna Spafford sent a simple 2-word cable home: “Saved alone.” Untrue. For many years, Sankey said Horatio had the original cable framed and hanging in his office. The cable operator listed the contents as 29 words.

Myth 4 – After their tragic loss, and the subsequent death of another child due to scarlet fever, the Spaffords were drummed out of their Church in Chicago. Untrue. Sadly, Horatio led a faction of the Church in accusing the pastor of financial impropriety. When the books were examined and the charges proved to be unfounded, Horatio led a group out and started a house church of sorts in his own home, later named the “Overcomers.”

Myth 5 – Moved by philanthropy and a burden for the Jews, the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem to start a missions work there. The most untrue and saddest of all. For years, it was unclear where Horatio was getting the money to finance his lifestyle, and even the 2 year trip abroad they were on when his daughters perished. Documents and court records show that given the executorship of 3 estates, he defrauded those he was to provide for, as well as running up mortgages on properties he owned. He fled from what was almost certain prosecution and perhaps prison.

Some random facts.

1 – Once the Overcomers were in swing, Horatio’s widowed sister (Margaret Lee) arrived, and praying to be filled with the Spirit, began getting direct words from the Lord on a whole host of topics and Biblical interpretations. Anna followed in this behavior, and soon the two women, seen as prophetesses ran everything.

2 – The move to Israel was due to a revelation in 1881, to Anna, that Christ would return on Mt. Zion within a month or 2. The Spaffords and a number of others immediately left for Israel, and clad in white robes waited on the Mt. But Jesus never came. Starting charitable ministry was plan “b” after the failed prophecy.    

3 – In an 1881 interview he showed how he had totally split from Moody, Sankey and that ilk when stating: “Moody and his followers are all wrong, as well as all the Churches.” Consider that carefully, “all the churches.”

4 – Over time, under the strict command of Margaret and Anna, demanding celibacy even among the married in their group, denying the need for communion, the Lords’ Supper and other oddities, Horatio just became a sort of kindly old man, rambling about looking at flowers, teaching English occasionally and doing little else.

There is so very much more to the entire story you simply must read for yourself.

As I read the whole, I came to the conclusion that an unquenchable thirst for definitive answers to the “why” behind the inexplicable – especially in regard to personal tragedy – rather than dependence upon God’s character and His revealed Word, led to fanciful and dangerous journeys into mystical confusion.

That said, Corts, in extending every kindness he possibly can – points to the untold millions of people who have found true Biblical solace in the words to It is well with my soul. And Spafford’s sins, flaws and failings, do nothing to diminish that. God has used it. That is enough.