"Saved Alone"

Horatio Spafford lived a tragic life. He was a wealthy man of Chicago means. He owned a profitable business but the Great Chicago Fire ruined him financially.

He could live with that. It was better than the loss of his only son a bit earlier, in 1871.


Sometimes it's just good to get away from it all for a while--and relax. Horatio, his wife and four girls planned a trip to Europe. They reserved space on the S.S. Ville du Havre.

But as Spafford's usually bad luck would have it, he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. So he sent his wife & kids on while he took care of business matters at home.

Spafford was soon to hear from his wife. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Lockhearn. All four of Spafford's daughters died.

Sometimes the words are so powerful that they can overwhelm the moment. Horatio received a cable from his wife, Anna. She wrote just two words...

Saved alone.

Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write a song as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.

I was asked recently to sing that song at a funeral for our dear friend & fellow choir member, Wally Hoewisch, a few weeks ago.

Spafford maintained a keen interest in Christian activities, deeply spiritual and devoted to the scriptures. Horatio's faith in God never faltered. He later wrote Anna's half-sister, On Thursday last we passed over the spot where she went down, in mid-ocean, the waters three miles deep. But I do not think of our dear ones there. They are safe, folded, the dear lambs.

But what became of Anna?

After Anna was rescued, Pastor Nathaniel Weiss, one of the ministers traveling with Anna remembered hearing Anna say, God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand why. Anna was utterly devastated.

Many of the survivors watched Anna closely, fearing she may try to take her life. In her grief and despair, Anna heard a soft voice speaking to her, You were saved for a purpose! It was then Anna remembered something a friend had once said, It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God.

The complete song has six verses. Perhaps you'd like to listen to some of it.

At this time of the year, I hope the tune will be well for your soul.