Unexpected Legacies: Horatio Spafford

By Matthew J. Elliott

Upfront, I am compelled to warn you that the story I have to share for this post is not one to be taken lightly. Aside from how purposeful the words Horatio Spafford wrote over 150 years ago, there is a story behind what led him to the words of the song ‘It is Well with My Soul’. Some stories just need to be told, and that have been told before, but hit differently once you understand where they came from and this story is one of those. 

To provide a little of background on why I selected this song. In truth, this is one song that is difficult for me to listen to. My father sang it at my mother’s memorial service in 2009 after cancer took her life much sooner than expected. While that is not a story for me to share with you in this post, knowing the story behind this song now gives me a much better understanding of the legacy ‘It is Well with My Soul’ has for us today. 

If you can imagine with me for a moment, or two…what it was like to live in the 1870s. There were no phones, computers, TVs, or even any type of vehicle we’d consider using today. It sounds like something the word would never survive today, doesn’t it? Now, let’s dig even deeper. Travel with me to Chicago, one of the nation’s biggest cities, and a bustling economy filled with opportunities to build something worth investing in. 

As we walk through the streets of this ever-growing environment, we find ourselves standing in front of a well-known district filled with thriving businesses and successful people living out their daily lives. Suddenly, everything changes! Out of nowhere, a huge, uncontrollable fire breaks out and changes everything. The once prosperous district is gone, and what’s more, the fire continues, killing hundreds of people and leaving a third of the population homeless. 

In the heart of a once vibrant metropolis, the feeling of desolation is overwhelming as the only visible sights for miles are blackened ashes and fragmented rocks. Almost everything in this society is beyond repair, leaving no choice but to start from scratch. The survivors are left in a state of complete shock. Their souls rattled to their very core, with little hope for a restoration of their former lives in any form. Many people ask themselves the same question: Does this mark the long-awaited culmination?

The road ahead leads us to a man named Horatio Spafford. He is a well-known lawyer, who invested his entire fortune into Chicago real estate. Much of which was no longer there. Recognizing this, he looks up at his wife and their four daughters. His mind becomes filled with fear and worry. Considering this, the family makes plans to journey to England for some time to recover and heal from the monumental loss they all had just endured. 

When the time comes to journey upon the sea to the old country, Horatio is unable to join his family because of other matters with the estate. He stays behind to tie up a few things and plans to join his family soon. As they depart, imagine his family waving to him from the ship as it leaves port and begins a journey it will never recover from. Along the way, their ship unexpectedly collides with another ship, resulting in the death of over 200 people, including his four daughters, at sea. 

Upon being rescued, Anna, his wife, sends a single note to tell her husband of what had transpired, “Saved and Alone, what should I do?” This note hits on so many levels, but Horatio immediately departs. Eventually, he finds his way to the exact spot where his daughters were lost. While the captain takes a break from the journey to remember those who have passed, Horatio stands in quiet contemplation. The significance of certain words are imprinted on his heart.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll—

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know

It is well, it is well with my soul.

In the midst of this unprecedented storm, Horatio is given a gift. A promise that regardless of what he has faced, there is hope and it can be well with his soul. As the journey continued, he eventually reunited with his beloved, and things found a new routine once more. Nothing will ever be the same again, but there is something he can place his hope in. There is something he and his wife can hold on to. 

There is a profound depth to the story that extends beyond what has been mentioned in this post. In truth, immense tragedy marks Horatio and Anna’s path. While the rest of his story speaks to the unexpected legacy they have left behind, it is not my place to continue sharing their pain. Feel free to look it up, though, because it adds to their legacy’s value. It is a powerful story to discover as well. 

This article focuses on the message that was left behind. Horatio’s legacy, built through the words he wrote in the hymn we now call “It is Well with My Soul,” is meaningful to us all. The storms of life will always be there, doing everything they can to keep us from finding purpose in the pain and value of the trials we face. It is never easy to survive those storms.

Say what you will about the unexpected legacy of Horatio Spafford, but the proof is there. It is up to you to determine what you do with it. History has many stories that capture experiences like this, and each one has a lesson for us to learn from.  

  

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He has served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which has given him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is happily married to Traci, and they have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, Matthew's goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

A Kindle Vella Story in progress, Read the first 10 episodes FREE!

One Man. His Continued Journey. Working to Build the Early Church. 

John Mark is haunted by his past, and there is one person he has never been able to reconcile with. Join him on his continuing missionary journey as he leaves Cyprus to search for Saul, now known as Paul, before the epic ending of his Missionary Journey in Cyprus. Who will he meet along the way and what lessons will he learn? Will this journey help him find the answers he seeks?

Unexpected Legacies: Joseph M. Scriven

By Matthew J. Elliott

Joseph M Scriven - keithbeattyonline

In my last article, I spent a great deal of time writing to you about unexpected legacies in unexpected ways. I talked about how sometimes even the smallest act can have the biggest impact on the world around you. 

Continuing our conversation, I imagined how E.M. Reynolds found the inspiration for her song. “Jesus Paid it All.” My primary focus was to bring new life to a story that has been told many times over. In the end. We put some energy into celebrating the not-so-well-known historical figures who left their own unexpected legacy.  

As I searched for a historical figure for this month’s article, I came upon the story of a young man who went through a great deal of hardship throughout his life. This story tells of friendship and pain, hope and loss. I will not pretend to understand how much pain Joseph M. Scriven endured, but I can speak to the impact the pains he faced in life had on his legacy in the end. 

Unfortunately, there is not much of a happy ending to the story behind the song this man wrote. Everyone knows how popular the song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is, don’t they? Well, the tragic story behind how this song started with the death of someone he held quite dear to his heart. However, let’s start at the beginning rather than the ending of this sad story. To do that, though, let us go back to the beginning of his story.

Joseph M. Scriven had lifelong hopes and dreams as a child growing up. In particular, one of his biggest streams was to find happiness through marriage. His parents had enough money to send him to the college of his choice. He dreamed of a life and service in the military, but, like many young men, companionship was a deep longing of his. 

When his military career practically failed because of health issues, he had to let go of that dream for a more realistic one. He still longed to find that place where he could find love. The end of his military career was just the beginning of all the things he would have to endure throughout his life.  

After his career in the military failed, Joseph returned home and fell in love with his childhood sweetheart. Despite wanting to stay behind, he pursued graduating from a non-military college. Once he was able to complete this academic adventure, he returned home intending to marry the childhood sweetheart he fell in love with. At some point, Joseph and his fiance planned a wedding. However, on the day before the wedding was to take place, Joseph and his sweetheart traveled to meet for unknown reasons. 

As they traveled along opposite sides of the riverbed close to where they lived, the two found themselves in an uneasy predicament. The ice from the riverbed had melted enough that when his fiance tried to cross it, she fell off her horse and drowned. All Joseph could do was stand there helplessly watching as his fiance died.

Honestly, there was nothing the man could have done to save his fiance. We do not know what else may have happened at this time in Joseph’s life, but something caused him to move to Canada two years later and take up the role of a teacher, and tutor, for our family in need.  

Catherine Roche - Porthopehistory

Unexpectedly, during his time in Port Hope Canada, Joseph fell in love with a young lady named Catherine Roche, who was related to the family of the child he was tutoring. This young lady and Joseph became quite close and while, at the time, she was still underage, they eventually reunited and became engaged as well. 

The two of them were engaged for almost a year before they planned their wedding. At the time, the young lady Joseph was to marry committed to converting to the faith that he lived by. For the wedding to even take place this time, the young lady would have to be baptized. 

However, she was already dealing with a sickness of her own. Upon getting baptized in the lake close to where her family lived, she became consumed with a better cold. It was winter when this baptism took place. Before Joseph knew it, his fiance had died because of the sickness she contracted after her baptism had taken place. 

Maybe winter just wasn’t his season, I don’t know, but based on my research, Joseph published a poem called “Pray Without Ceasing” at this juncture. This is the poem that would eventually become the words to the Hymn “What a Friend we have in Jesus.”

Scriven Residence - Porthopehistory

Ultimately, Joseph remained unmarried. Despite this, he managed to find a sense of purpose in the pain he experienced. For the rest of his life, the man focused on mentoring and tutoring young men, while also selflessly devoting his free time to helping his community with various tasks, aiming to make their lives a little easier. His life’s purpose was to remind anyone who experienced pain that Jesus was there as a friend to support and protect them. 

However, to this day, there is still a great mystery surrounding his own death. In truth, people have not been able to find much evidence of what took place. It is rumored that he drowned as well. That, however, is not the purpose of his legacy. The purpose of his legacy is one of overcoming a great deal of pain multiple times in life, and turning that pain into something useful and encouraging for those around them. This is where we find the unexpected legacy of Joseph M. Scriven.

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He has served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which has given him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is happily married to Traci, and they have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, Matthew's goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

The Cyprus Journal is Out! Have you grabbed Your copy?

One Young Man. His Significant Story. A Witness of the Early Church.

Many knew him as the young cousin to Barnabas the Encourager, the son of Mary who offered her home to honor the Savior and those who followed Him, or even the man who abandoned Paul on his First Missionary Journey, but there is more to his story. His story is one of new beginnings, a promise fulfilled, and a man who overcame fear of the unknown.

----

SINGING IN THE RAIN---AND BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS GIVAWAY

 

ANNE GREENE here. HOORAY, hooray, hooray! We launched our brand new web site! To CELEBRATE we have a series of GIVEAWAYS by our fantastic authors. MANY books will be given away by the end of the month. YOUR PART: Leave a comment every day on every post. The more comments you leave, the greater your chances to win!

I’m giving an autographed copy of my latest Scottish historical romance, MARRIAGE BY ARRANGEMENT. So be certain to comment at the end of this post for your chance to win! And I’ll chat with you as well.

I’m writing today about events during World War II. You’ll discover so much more in my book Angel With Steel Wings which will release soon. Angel is the first in my Women of Courage series. Angel is about women test pilots. You didn’t know America had women test pilots in 1944? You’re not alone, most people didn’t. But those were exciting, innovative years.

During World War II the American people kept their spirits and hopes high with the many new songs that blossomed during the first dark years of the war when America was losing the battle to Hitler’s Germany and Japan’s Hirohito.

World War II was the first conflict to take place in the age when almost ninety percent of American households had radio. Never before had it been possible for songs to be so widely available to the population. Never before had the number of listeners been so high.

And overseas, American troops had regular access to radio in all but the most difficult combat situations. American troops listened to popular music between bouts of combat on Armed Forces Radio.

The song, They’re Either Too Young or Too Old took a light-hearted look at the men left for the women on the home front while American Troops were off fighting the war.

Popular songs like Sentimental Journey, I’ll be Seeing You, Moonlight Serenade, and I’ll be Home for Christmas, all spoke of women’s longings for loved ones overseas and the troops longing to be home. Those songs gave society’s blessing that it was okay to miss your man because he was fighting for the good of Americans everywhere. And the many patriotic songs brought smiles to faces and pride to the hearts of Americans on the home front and abroad.

Earlier in the century big band music had become wildly popular and still was in the 1940s. Some of the more popular songs were:

There’ll Be Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs of Dover by Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra.

Be Careful It’s My Heart by Irving Berlin. 1942

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by the Andrews Sisters 1941

Comin’ In On A Wing and A Prayer by The Song Spinners

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore by Duke Ellington & His Orchestra

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me by 1942 by Stept, Brown, and Tobias.

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Cole Porter 1944

GI Jive by Johnny Mercer

I Don’t Want To Walk Without You by Harry James & His Orchestra 1942

I’ll Be Seeing You by Bing Crosby

It’s Been A Long Long Time by Harry James

I’ll Get By As Long As I Have You by Harry James & His Orchestra

Kiss The Boys Goodbye by Frank Loesser 1941

Praise The Lord and Pass The Ammunition by Frank Loesser 1942. I understand many people sang this song during church services.

People in the USA held the same desires as their leaders, and the government counted on popular music to reflect the same war aims that Franklin Delano Roosevelt wanted. Everyone hoped for a quick final victory over the Axis, and the songs about a world after the war with the boys coming home met those wishes.

This unity gave the USA an enormous energy that allowed the nation to accomplish far more at less human cost than the other major powers in the war. So in the driving rain of war where almost every citizen lost a loved one, music kept spirits high.

Have you heard any of these popular songs, and if so, which is your favorite?

COMMENT: Leave a comment and one lucky winner will win an autographed copy of my book, Marriage By Arrangement. Please leave your email address so I can contact you for your address. Don't forget to comment on all posts for more chances to win.

BIO: ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won the New England Reader Choice award, the Laurel Wreath Award, and the Heart of Excellence Award. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement recently released.  A Texas Christmas Mystery also won several awards. Her World War II novel, Angel With Steel Wings, about WASPs, women test pilots releases soon. Be sure to look for it on Amazon. Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Literary Studies from the University of Texas. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one, and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. View Anne’s other books, her blog, travel pictures, and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com. Her highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.PelicanBookGroup.com. Or at http://www.Amazon.com. Learn to write award-winning books by visiting Anne’s blog at http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com.

Don’t forget to leave a comment. Anne loves to talk with her fans.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MUSIC DURING THE 1920s JAZZ AGE OF FLAPPERS

ANNE GREENE here. Music defines an age and I love the optimism of the 1920s. Along with jazz, big bands were extremely popular. Happy-Go-Lucky characterized the 1920 songs. No previous decade in America had been so confidant.  

The Great War to end all wars had been won several years earlier. America enjoyed prosperity like never before. Women had earned suffrage. Clothing and hair styles grew freer for both men and women. Women had a choice of staying home or choosing a career. Jobs were plentiful. The economy boomed. America entered the Jazz Age. 

The phonograph record surpassed the sales of sheet music and piano rolls. Radio moved from being an expensive novelty into a major piece of entertainment. By the late 1920s movies went from silent to sound and created another medium for the decade’s music. Prohibition and the opening of Speakeasys provided ample opportunities for musicians. 

Young people went crazy for dances like the Charleston and the Black Bottom. The swing debuted as another popular dance style. Record companies sold records in huge numbers. Songs like Sweet Georgia Brown, Dinah and Bye Bye Blackbird became instant hits.  

Some of the 1920s songs you will recognize. I know none of you remember the music of the 1920s, but perhaps your grandmothers sang these songs.  

Some of the more popular songs lasted through the 1940s. Songs like Honeysuckled Rose, Ain’t Misbahaving, Stardust, The Man I Love, Blue Skies, and What Is This Thing Called Love.  

Band leaders like Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller started developing the Big Band sound while playing in Jazz Dance Halls.  

See if you recognize any of these songs: Yes Sir: That’s My Baby, If You Knew Susie, Tea for Two, All Alone, Lady Be Good, Indian Love Call, Lady Be Good,  When My Sugar Walks Down The Street, Moonlight and Roses, I’ll See You In My Dreams, Look For The Silver Lining, Ain’t We Got Fun, Make Believe, All By Myself.  

Leave a comment and tell me which songs your mother or grandmother sang around the house. Did they tell you stories of dancing to the Big Band sound?  

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won three prestigious book awards. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement released November, 2013.  A Texas Christmas Mystery also won awards. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to awesome new worlds and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Anne loves to talk with her readers. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.Amazon.com. Visit http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com for information on writing an award-winning novel. Talk with Anne on twitter at @TheAnneGreene. View Anne’s books, travel pictures and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.

For a chance to win a free copy of Anne's new Scottish Historical Romance, go to http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com and join her site.

GREAT SONGS OF WORLD WAR II

Anne Greene

here. I’ve written about what Scottish men wore under their kilts, and what happened to their kilts. I told you that you would find more spectacular information about what changed the Scottish Highlanders and their way of life in my book Masquerade Marriage.

 

And the story continues in my long awaited book, Marriage By Arrangement, which releases on the 6^th of next month, December 6, 2013.

 

This 14^th day of November, I’m writing once again about events during World War II.

 

During World War II the American people kept their spirits and hopes high with the many new songs that blossomed during the first dark years of the war when America was losing the battle to Hitler’s Germany and Japan’s Hirohito.

 

World War II was the first conflict to take place in the age when almost ninety percent of American households had radio. Never before had it been possible for songs to be so widely distributed to the population. Never before had the number of listeners been so high.

 And overseas, American troops had regular access to radio in all but the most difficult combat situations. American troops listened to popular music on Armed Forces Radio between bouts of combat.

 

The song, They’re Either Too Young or Too Old took a light-hearted look at the men left for the women on the home front while American Troops were off fighting the war.

 

Popular songs like Sentimental Journey, I’ll be Seeing You, Moonlight Serenade, and I’ll be Home for Christmas, all spoke of women’s longings for loved ones overseas and the troops yearning to be home. Those songs gave society’s blessing that it was okay to miss your man because he fought for the good of Americans everywhere. And the many patriotic songs brought smiles to faces and pride to the hearts of Americans on the home front and abroad.

 

Earlier in the century big band music had grown wildly popular and still was in the 1940s. Some of the more popular war songs were:

 

There’ll Be Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs of Dover by Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra.

Be Careful It’s My Heart by Irving Berlin. 1942

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by the Andrews Sisters 1941

Comin’ In On A Wing and A Prayer by The Song Spinners

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore by Duke Ellington & His Orchestra

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me by 1942 by Stept, Brown, and Tobias.

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Cole Porter 1944

GI Jive by Johnny Mercer

I Don’t Want To Walk Without You by Harry James& His Orchestra 1942

I’ll Be Seeing You by Bing Crosby

It’s Been A Long Long Time by Harry James

I’ll Get By As Long As I Have You by Harry James& His Orchestra

Kiss The Boys Goodbye by Frank Loesser 1941

Praise The Lord and Pass The Ammunition by Frank Loesser 1942

 

People in the USA held the same desires as their leaders, and the government counted on popular music to reflect the same war aims that Franklin Delano Roosevelt wanted. Everyone hoped for a quick final victory over the Axis, and the songs about a world after the war with the boys coming home met those wishes.

 

This unity gave the USA an enormous energy that allowed the nation to accomplish far more, at less human cost, than the other major powers in the war. So during the dark years of the war where almost every citizen lost a loved one, music kept spirits high. 

 

Have you heard any of these popular songs, and if so, which is your favorite? 

 

Leave a comment and one lucky winner will win my book, A Texas Christmas Mystery. Please leave your email address so I can contact you for your address.

 

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won the New England Reader Choice award, the Laurel Wreath Award, and the Heart of Excellence Award. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement releases December 6, 2013. A Texas Christmas Mystery also won awards. Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Literary Studies from the University of Texas. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one, and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. View Anne’s other books, her blog, travel pictures, and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com. Her highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus.

 

Join Anne for excellent writing tips on her blog,

http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com.

 

Buy Anne’s books at http://www.PelicanBookGroup.com. Or at http://www.Amazon.com.

 

Don’t forget to leave a comment. Anne loves to talk with her fans.