Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.

John Avery Whittaker: Hi. I'm John Avery Whittaker, but you can call me Whit. We were just getting ready for a time of wonder, excitement, and discovery. You care to join us? You never know what'll happen next when you have an adventure in Odyssey.

Lucy: Mr. Whittaker?

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, come in.

Lucy: Hi, Mr. Whittaker. Here's my story for Kids Radio News.

John Avery Whittaker: Thanks. Just set it down there in the basket.

Lucy: Okay. What's that you're listening to?

John Avery Whittaker: Just a tape of the choir at my church.

Lucy: Oh, it's nice.

John Avery Whittaker: Yeah, we sound all right, if I do say so myself.

Lucy: We? You're in there?

John Avery Whittaker: Can't you hear my hearty baritone?

Lucy: I didn't know you sang.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, I'm sure a lot of our choir members think I can't. But I do my best.

Lucy: That's pretty. I've heard this song before. What's it called?

John Avery Whittaker: You really don't know? Well, it's called "It Is Well With My Soul" by a man named Horatio G. Spafford. It's a very famous hymn.

Lucy: "When peace like a river attendeth my way." How poetic.

John Avery Whittaker: There's a remarkable story behind those words. Would you believe that they were written during a time of almost unbelievable tragedy?

Lucy: Really? But it sounds like such a hopeful song.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, Spafford was an exceptional man. He'd built a successful law practice in Chicago in the years just after the Civil War. He had five children: four girls and a boy.

Lucy: Since he wrote such a great hymn, I take it he was a Christian.

John Avery Whittaker: He was deeply spiritual and studied the Bible every day. He was also good friends with some of the most influential Christian leaders of his day, men like D.L. Moody and Philip Bliss.

Lucy: Moody. I've heard that name before. He was a preacher, wasn't he?

John Avery Whittaker: That's right. Dwight L. Moody was one of the greatest preachers of his day. He spread the word of God throughout the United States and Great Britain in huge revival meetings. It was said that when he spoke, thousands of people accepted the Lord.

Lucy: What about Philip Bliss?

John Avery Whittaker: He was also an evangelist who wrote some of the most familiar and well-loved hymns of all time. Very close. And they helped him over the years, years that were filled with tragedy.

Anna Spafford: Dr. Rollins, how is our son?

Dr. Rollins: He's very sick, Mrs. Spafford.

Horatio Spafford: It's just a severe cold, isn't it?

Dr. Rollins: I'm afraid it's much more than that. He's developed pneumonia.

Anna Spafford: Pneumonia?

Horatio Spafford: Now, I'm sure everything's going to be all right, mother. No need for alarm, right, doctor?

Dr. Rollins: No, of course not.

Horatio Spafford: Mother, why don't you go downstairs and see who that is?

Anna Spafford: Horatio, I don't think—

Horatio Spafford: Go on, now. Go on. Everything's going to be fine.

Dr. Rollins: That was very wise, Mr. Spafford.

Horatio Spafford: My wife is not a strong woman, doctor. How bad is it?

Dr. Rollins: Bad. Infection has gone too far. I don't think he'll survive the night. I apologize for being so blunt, but I thought you'd want to know the truth.

Horatio Spafford: Is he in pain?

Dr. Rollins: No. I have given him some medicine and left instructions with the nurse on how to make him comfortable. All we can do now is wait.

Horatio Spafford: He is just a little boy.

Dr. Rollins: I'm sorry, Mr. Spafford. I'll look in on you later.

Philip Bliss: Horatio? I came as soon as I could.

Horatio Spafford: He's dying, Philip.

Philip Bliss: No. Is there no chance? No hope?

Horatio Spafford: None. My son is dying, and I can do nothing but watch it happen.

Philip Bliss: And pray. You can pray, Horatio. We can pray.

Horatio Spafford: Yes. Help me to pray, Philip. Help me to pray. God of our fathers, we come before you now.

John Avery Whittaker: They stayed with the boy all night and prayed that God would spare him and return him to health.

Lucy: What happened?

John Avery Whittaker: Sometimes God says no.

Lucy: You mean he died?

John Avery Whittaker: Yes.

Lucy: How sad.

John Avery Whittaker: Yes, it was. And it was also only the beginning.

Lucy: What else happened to Horatio Spafford?

John Avery Whittaker: Well, as I said, he had built a very successful law practice, medical jurisprudence.

Lucy: That means he was a lawyer for doctors, right?

John Avery Whittaker: That's right. And it was work that made him very wealthy. He had invested his money in property all along Lake Michigan.

Horatio Spafford: Everything from here to the pier and then the six buildings beyond.

Philip Bliss: This is a very heavy investment, Horatio. What do you plan to do with all of it?

Horatio Spafford: I want to convert part of it to housing, and I've set aside the property next to the church for Moody's new YMCA center.

Philip Bliss: I thought our preacher friend had something to do with this.

Horatio Spafford: He doesn't know. I wanted it to be a surprise.

Philip Bliss: When are you going to tell him?

Horatio Spafford: When I return from Britain. It should give me time to clear up the building code problems.

Philip Bliss: Building code? I didn't know we had them.

Horatio Spafford: It's something new. The city wants to make certain the structures are safe.

Philip Bliss: It's understandable.

Horatio Spafford: Yes, except that the city can't decide on what codes it wants. And until it does, I can't begin any renovation or construction. I tell you, Philip, dealing with bureaucracy is no picnic.

Philip Bliss: Yes, it must be very difficult to have all that money.

Horatio Spafford: All right, all right. You've made your point. And I am grateful to God for his blessing. Sometimes the memory of my son washes over me like a flood.

Philip Bliss: You must give yourself more time, Horatio. It's only been four months.

Horatio Spafford: Yes, but it is very difficult. One good thing from this is that I'm much more thankful for my daughters.

Philip Bliss: How is your wife?

Horatio Spafford: Holding up much better than I. She's shown remarkable strength, much more than I thought she had. I owe you a great debt for all your help during these months, Philip.

Philip Bliss: No, Horatio. No debt. You'd have done the same for me. It's part of who we are as children of God.

Horatio Spafford: Sometimes God seems very far away.

Philip Bliss: Then perhaps what you need is to busy yourself with the work of the Lord. Get closer to it.

Horatio Spafford: How?

Philip Bliss: By getting away. You know that Moody is in Great Britain on a grand evangelical campaign? I'm sure he would love to have you and your family join him.

Horatio Spafford: That does sound wonderful. But I really can't go, not at this time.

Philip Bliss: Why?

Horatio Spafford: These buildings, business matters detain me.

Philip Bliss: Business. I know, I know. That isn't the best of reasons, but it is unavoidable.

Horatio Spafford: At least think about it. It will do you good.

Philip Bliss: Of that I have no doubt. Come, let's get something to eat.

Lucy: Don't tell me. Something happened to the property, didn't it?

John Avery Whittaker: Have you ever heard the tale of Mrs. O'Leary's cow who kicked over the lantern in the barn and started the great Chicago Fire?

Lucy: Yeah, I remember that story, but I thought it was just a legend.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, whether the story is true or not, there was a huge fire along the shoreline of Lake Michigan around that time. And Horatio Spafford's property was right in the middle of it.

Guest (Male): Bring that wagon out here! Keep that pump going! Another building has started up across the street, Chief. We don't have any more wagons. Get the bucket brigade started!

Horatio Spafford: Sir! Sir! I'm Horatio Spafford.

Guest (Male): You're going to have to stand clear, Mr. Spafford.

Horatio Spafford: But these are my buildings! You're just letting them burn!

Guest (Male): I'm sorry, Mr. Spafford, but there's nothing I can do about it. We don't have enough men or equipment to put them out. Excuse me. Keep that water coming! Come on, you men, move!

Horatio Spafford: Oh, dear God. Dear God, no. No. Gone, Philip. It's all gone, completely wiped out.

Philip Bliss: The church is badly damaged too, Horatio. I'm so sorry, my friend.

Horatio Spafford: Well, I no longer have business concerns to keep me here. Contact Moody for me, Philip. Tell him my family and I will join him in England.

Anna Spafford: Girls! Tanetta! Maggie!

Maggie: Yes, mother.

Anna Spafford: I thought I told you older girls to put Annie and Bessie to bed more than an hour ago. Didn't I?

Tanetta: Yes, ma'am.

Anna Spafford: Then why are they still up?

Tanetta: You know how hard it is to keep track of them, mother.

Anna Spafford: Well, I know two girls who are going to be in a lot of trouble if they don't do as they're told. Now, I want you to put Annie and Bessie back to bed and then bring me down your things. We're leaving in the morning. We don't have time for foolishness.

Tanetta: Yes, mother.

Horatio Spafford: Trouble? What's all the yelling about?

Anna Spafford: I think our girls are suffering from a case of pre-trip jitters, excitement, and forgetfulness.

Horatio Spafford: Just the girls, huh?

Anna Spafford: Yes. Why?

Horatio Spafford: Well, dear, I know we wanted to rest and recreate on this trip, but considering that it'll be nearly winter when we arrive, don't you think it'll be a bit cold for bathing suits?

Anna Spafford: Oh, give me those. I didn't pack them. They were already in there. I use this trunk for storage too, remember? Horatio, it is so good to see you smile again.

Horatio Spafford: And you, my love. We've had our share of tragedy. It is time that joy returned to this house.

Tanetta: Here are Annie and Bessie's clothes, mother.

Anna Spafford: Just put them over there on the trunk. Are the little ones in bed?

Tanetta: Yes, ma'am.

Anna Spafford: Good. Now, where are yours and Maggie's things?

Maggie: Right here.

Horatio Spafford: Goodness, let me take some of that.

Maggie: Thank you for leaving me all the heavy stuff, Tanetta.

Tanetta: I thought you could use the exercise.

Horatio Spafford: Why don't you get a little exercise and help your mother pack these trunks? Both of you.

Tanetta: Yes, father. Mother, how long will we be on the ship?

Anna Spafford: Six days.

Tanetta: That's a long time. Will we have things to do?

Horatio Spafford: Plenty of things.

Tanetta: What about in England? Will there be things to do there too?

Horatio Spafford: Oh, yes, especially in London. It's a grand place. There are so many things to see: Buckingham Palace, Parliament, the Tower of London. No, my dear, you won't be bored in England. Now, who could that be?

Anna Spafford: I'll get it!

Tanetta: No, I'll get it!

Horatio Spafford: No, I'll get it. You both continue with what you're doing. Mr. Horatio G. Spafford?

Mr. Kramer: My name is Kramer, and I work for the Chicago Zoning Commission.

Horatio Spafford: Yes, Mr. Kramer. How can I help you?

Mr. Kramer: I'm afraid there's a problem with your property along Lake Michigan.

Horatio Spafford: Horatio?

Horatio Spafford: Darling, this is Mr. Kramer from the Chicago Zoning Commission.

Anna Spafford: Mr. Kramer.

Mr. Kramer: Mrs. Spafford. We were just discussing your husband's buildings by the waterfront.

Horatio Spafford: I no longer have any buildings down by the waterfront, Mr. Kramer. The fire destroyed them all.

Mr. Kramer: I know, sir. That's the problem. The city is having some difficulties with the cleanup of the Lake Michigan property. As you know, the shoreline is in a rather confused condition, to say the least. There's some discrepancies about who owned what.

Horatio Spafford: But I've already filed one set of papers with the commission explaining the extent of my holdings.

Mr. Kramer: I know that, sir, but now they need to see proof of ownership: deeds, titles, blueprints if any.

Horatio Spafford: Very well. I'll pull everything I have together tonight.

Mr. Kramer: We're not in that big of a rush, Mr. Spafford. Just bring them with you the day after tomorrow. That's when the meeting is set.

Horatio Spafford: The day after tomorrow? Then it will be quite impossible for me to attend. We're leaving for Europe in the morning.

Mr. Kramer: That, of course, is your choice, Mr. Spafford. But the commission cannot guarantee that you'll retain ownership of your property if you are not at the meeting.

Horatio Spafford: So I attend or lose everything?

Mr. Kramer: As I said, that is your choice. Good day, Mr. Spafford. Mrs. Spafford.

Anna Spafford: What are you going to do, Horatio?

Horatio Spafford: I suppose I shall have to attend.

Anna Spafford: I understand. I'll tell the girls to stop packing.

Horatio Spafford: Why?

Anna Spafford: Because we're canceling our trip.

Horatio Spafford: We're doing no such thing. I want you and the girls to go on ahead. I'll follow in a few days.

Anna Spafford: Are you sure?

Horatio Spafford: Of course. Now, come on. We still have a great deal of packing to do.

Captain: And here is our bridge.

Tanetta: Is this where you steer the boat?

Captain: Among other things, yes. Feel free to have a look around, but don't touch anything unless you ask permission first.

Tanetta: Look at that.

Anna Spafford: Thank you so much, Captain, for showing my daughters and me around your beautiful ship.

Captain: Think nothing of it, Mrs. Spafford. I know how youngsters can get a bit stir-crazy after three or four days at sea.

Tanetta: Mother, look at the pretty bell.

Captain: Ah, I see you've discovered our ship's bell. It announces the time, which reminds me, it's nearly five o'clock. Would you all like to ring in the new hour?

Tanetta: Could we, mother? Please?

Anna Spafford: Are you sure it's all right, Captain?

Captain: Certainly. There are five of you, so it works out perfectly. Now, all of you line up behind your mother. Over here, girls. Good. Okay, Mrs. Spafford, here's the hammer. When I give you the signal, strike the bell good and hard, then pass the hammer on to the next one in line. And each of you do the same. Got it?

Anna Spafford: Yes, I think I've got that.

Captain: All right. Now. Pass it to Tanetta, you go next. Now Maggie, take it. Bessie, come up here. Hard, strike it hard. Annie? That was wonderful. You all handled that like true sailors.

Guest (Male): Captain?

Captain: Pardon me, folks. Yes, what is it?

Guest (Male): Fog rolling in, sir. East by northeast.

Captain: Fog? That's odd. Keep a careful watch. Is there a problem? No, ma'am. We're just headed into a little foul weather, that's all. And nothing to worry about as long as we have Myrtle.

Maggie: Myrtle? Who's Myrtle?

Captain: That's Myrtle. Our foghorn. Gotten me through many a close scrape, she has. Why, I remember one time off the Gulf of Mexico—

Guest (Male): Captain! Something in the fog, sir. Ten degrees off the port bow.

Captain: I don't see anything.

Guest (Male): It was a flash of light, like the sun shining off a piece of metal.

Anna Spafford: Perhaps we should go back to our cabin, Captain.

Captain: I think that's a good idea, Mrs. Spafford. Just until we can get clear of this. Collision course! Collision course! Collision! Where? It's another ship! Evasive action! She's taking on water! We're sinking! This is the Captain! Abandon ship! Abandon ship! Man the boats!

Philip Bliss: Horatio? The neighbor said you'd received a telegram. I came as soon as I could. Horatio?

Horatio Spafford: Twelve minutes, Philip. The ship went down in twelve minutes.

Philip Bliss: Yes, the newspapers reported that. But they also said that most of the passengers got off safely.

Horatio Spafford: Safely? Here, read it.

Philip Bliss: "Saved alone." Your wife. Oh, Horatio. I'm so sorry.

Lucy: So all four of the Spafford girls were lost?

John Avery Whittaker: Yes.

Lucy: What did Mr. Spafford do?

John Avery Whittaker: He sailed on the next available ship to join his wife in Great Britain. And it was during that voyage that he received the inspiration for his greatest work and testimony.

Guest (Male): Mr. Spafford? You asked me to inform you when we were near the site where the Ville du Havre went down.

Horatio Spafford: Thank you, Steward.

Guest (Male): Of course it's nearly impossible to know the exact spot because of the shifting currents, but this is it, as near as we can tell.

John Avery Whittaker: Spafford went up to the deck of the ship to see the spot where his daughters had drowned and to talk with God.

Horatio Spafford: It's so peaceful now, Lord, like a gentle river. Even when the sea billows roll, they won't reveal the sorrow in them. Oh, dear God. My heart is so heavy. I don't think I can bear this. My children, my precious children.

Horatio Spafford: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. You know, Lord. You know what I feel. You lost your child too. And because of that, I will see my children again.

Horatio Spafford: My sins are nailed to the cross, I bear them no more. Oh, my Jesus, come soon, come soon. Or if it not be soon, then give me strength to bear the pain. Help me to be content with your will. Teach me to say, it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford: 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.

Lucy: He faced so much tragedy and can still write such words of hope and faith.

John Avery Whittaker: He was an incredible man.

Lucy: What happened after that?

John Avery Whittaker: Horatio cabled the words back to Philip Bliss. By the time Spafford and his wife returned home, Philip had composed a tune to the poem. The result is one of the best-loved hymns of all time, a hymn that has inspired and helped countless others in times of trial and distress to be able to say, it is well with my soul.

Chris: "God is our strength, a very present help in times of trouble." Psalm 46, verse 1. Horatio G. Spafford understood this verse very well. And because of it and his incredible faith in the hope of Jesus Christ, he could withstand these tragedies.

If you're ever feeling down or depressed, read this Psalm and listen to the song in today's adventure. They'll help you say, it is well. Thank you for listening today. I hope you enjoyed the program.

If you did, write and tell me, okay? The address is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. In Canada, the address is Odyssey, Box 9800, Vancouver, BC V6B 4G3. And don't forget to ask about how you can get a copy of today's program called "It Is Well."

The address once again is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. It Is Well was written and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Dave Arnold, and our executive producer, Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.