On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss

Unofficial Reverand Alex

Pray in silence...God speaks softly
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A beautiful concert band arrangement of the hymn, "It is well with my soul".
The backstory to the hymn makes it even more powerful:

The hymn was originally written by an affluent Chicago lawyer, with good business, 1 son, 4 daughters, and a wife. He was a very Christian man, well studied in Sacred Scripture. A blessed man with a blessed family, all living quite well.

This man had invested heavily in Chicago real estate; but his fortune was dissolved in the great Chicago fire.

He planned a trip to Europe for his family, sending his wife & daughters ahead of him. Several days later, he receives a chilling telegram from his wife: "Survived alone."

At some point, his son died as well.

As he left for Europe, to meet his grieving wife, his ship passed the spot of the ocean where all his daughters died. As he was sitting there, watching the waves, through his great sadness, his faith was stronger. He began to write, as words rose up in his soul.

Among the words: "It is well, it is well, with my soul."