It Is Well with My Soul

It-Is-Well-With-My-Soul
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Heather Allington
Heather writes for Sunday Song Book on behalf of the The Salvation Army Oshawa. As a lifelong member of the Army, she has loved these familiar - and some less familiar - songs for many years, and enjoys researching and writing about their origins. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and retired elementary school teacher who likes trying her hand at watercolour painting and poetry writing.

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.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

For me be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live;
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait;
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
O trump of the angel! O voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

horatioLikely many readers here are familiar with the basic story behind this well-known old hymn, but it bears repeating because of the inspiring faith of the author, Horatio Spafford. Perhaps some of the facts given may be new, as well.

it bears repeating because of the inspiring faith of the author Share on X

Spafford was born in 1828. He grew up in New York and moved to Chicago in 1856 to work as a lawyer and a professor at Lind University, which became Chicago Medical College. He was a Sunday School teacher, a YMCA worker and a trustee and director of a Presbyterian Theological Seminary. In the Chicago fire of 1871, he lost a considerable amount of his business properties.

In 1873 Spafford planned a trip to Europe for his family, particularly to help his wife’s health. Last-minute real estate business caused Horatio to stay behind, but his wife, Anna, and their four daughters set sail on the Ville du Havre . Spafford_Daughters In mid-Atlantic, their ship was rammed by a British ship, the Lochearn , and sank in twelve minutes! For Salvationists, this is reminiscent of the sinking of the Empress of Ireland ! The four daughters perished, but Anna was rescued. From the UK, she sent a telegram to her husband, reading “Saved alone.” telegramHoratio set out across the Atlantic to join his wife, and it is said that he wrote the song above when he reached the area in which his daughters had drowned. The couple later had three more children, but their son died of scarlet fever as a three-year-old. So much tragedy for this family!

“Saved alone.” Share on X

The Spaffords continued living in Chicago until 1881, when they moved to Jerusalem and set up a philanthropic community there. By this point they had withdrawn from the Presbyterian Church and had set up their own faith-based group, which had been meeting in their Chicago home. Some controversy began over the family and their followers – “The Overcomers”. Among other non-conventional ideas, they believed that the return of Jesus was imminent and would occur in Jerusalem. While living there, they did not proselytize, but became respected by Jews, Muslims and Christians in the area. In spite of this controversy, Spafford’s hymn survived to encourage many to hold onto their Christian faith, no matter what trials might befall them here on earth. Horatio Spafford died in 1888 of malaria, and was buried in Jerusalem.

Spafford’s hymn survived to encourage many to hold onto their Christian faith, no matter what trials might befall them here on earth. Share on X
WORDS: HORATIO G. SPAFFORD; MUSIC: PHILLIP BLISS
S.A. SONG BOOK, 1987 EDITION, #771; 2015 EDITION, #741
REFERENCES: UMCDISCIPLESHIP.ORG; WIKIPEDIA

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Code of Conduct for all Mission Partners of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

1. Purpose
To provide mission partners with guidelines regarding their expected behaviour while undertaking work on behalf of TSA. The code of conduct states TSA’s commitment to operating in an ethical and legal manner that aligns with TSA’s mission, vision, values and Orders and Regulations. The code of conduct serves as a foundational standard for other conduct-related operating policies.

2. Basic Principles
All mission partners are expected to behave in ways that are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.

2.1. Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

2.2. Vision Statement
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

2.3. Core Values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

3. Conduct Expectations
The code of conduct provides guidelines for mission partner conduct. The code of conduct cannot cover every possible situation; mission partners are responsible for considering each issue in the context of TSA’s mission and values, recognizing that individual conduct may be understood as a reflection of TSA’s values, image, integrity and public trust. If a mission partner is unsure of a situation and needs guidance about their conduct or has concerns about the conduct of another person, they should speak with their supervisor or HR/officer personnel representative.

Mission partners will:
3.1. Comply with TSA policies and procedures.
3.2. Follow all applicable laws and at no time participate in, or assist others to participate in, any illegal, criminal or unethical activities.
3.3. Conduct themselves at all times with honesty, integrity and transparency.
3.4. Perform their defined duties to the best of their ability.
3.5. Treat others, including other mission partners, funders, clients and the public, with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
3.6. Promote and support a work environment that is inclusive of all people and respects their unique abilities, strengths and differences.
3.7. Identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose them to their supervisor to help minimize or eliminate the impact of such conflicts, which could influence or appear to influence their judgment and actions. Refer to GV 01.003 Conflict of Interest policy for additional direction and requirements.
3.8. Collect, use and disclose confidential information only in accordance with TSA policy and applicable privacy laws. Ensure all records, documents and communications are accurate and that privacy is maintained as required by GV
01.009 Privacy.
3.9. Conduct all business, service and ministry activities in a responsible manner, consistent with TSA’s values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.
3.10. Always strive to create and maintain the highest health, safety, wellness and environmental standards in all facilities and work areas.
3.11. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of oneself and others and report accidents (however minor) and near-misses (accidents that almost happened), risky behaviours, and instances where equipment and/or building
deficiencies could compromise the safety of a workplace.
3.12. Use information technology, including internet and email, in a professional and appropriate manner, in accordance with TSA policy (IT 02.001 Computers and Information Technology Acceptable Use).
3.13. Ensure they are fit to work and able to perform assigned duties as required by their job description safely, satisfactorily and in compliance with HR 10.002 Substance Impairment in the Workplace.

TSA expects mission partners will not:
3.14. Act in a discriminatory, harassing or violent way toward others.
3.15. Use their position in order to gain an advantage over or exploit the vulnerability of others.
3.16. Destroy or take for personal use any items belonging to or safeguarded by TSA without prior written approval.
3.17. Solicit (money or goods) from clients, donors, vendors, contractors or any person in a position to benefit from their association with TSA. Mission partners will adhere to the requirements of HR 04.002 Gifts, Speaking Fees, and Testimonials policy.
3.18. Give the appearance that they are speaking on behalf of TSA when not authorized to do so or engage in any activity that would negatively impact TSA’s reputation, brand or public image, including the use of personal social media
accounts.
3.19. Initiate contact with the media or respond to their inquiries, and instead will refer all media inquiries to their supervisor, their public relations representative or TSA’s communications department.
3.20. Use, abuse or misuse paid time, TSA resources or the equipment assigned to them.
3.21. Misuse their authority, abuse power, act irresponsibly, retaliate against someone who reports misconduct or exclude others from workplace events.

4. Officers: Orders and Regulations
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the code of conduct and Orders and Regulations, the latter shall take precedence.

5. Violation of the Code
If a mission partner believes the law, the code of conduct or TSA’s policies may have been violated or are about to be violated, they should inform their supervisor or report their concern through the Whistleblower hotline (see GV 01.008 Whistleblower policy).

Violation of the code of conduct is a serious matter and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.