Title: Well With My Soul
Author: Rachael Phillips
Series: Heroes of the Faith
Major Themes: Frances Ridley Havergal, Horatio Spafford, Hymns, Philip P. Bliss, Singing, Songs, William Cowper
Synopsis: The stories of four people who wrote some of the most-loved hymns sung for the past 200 years are told in this book.
Well With My Soul is short biographies of four people who wrote famous hymns. I found it to be very well-written and captivating.
The first part of the book tells the story of Horatio Spafford, who wrote “It is well with my soul” as he stood on the deck of a ship over the spot where his four daughters had drowned when their ship sank. I knew that part of his story—but I did not know about the rest of his life, which contained one tragedy after another.
The second story features Philip P. Bliss, the author of “Hold the fort,” based on an incident from the American Civil War. His story was just as absorbing. A dedicated evangelist, he and his wife never owned their own home, but lived with family and friends. Their lives ended in a tragic accident.
William Cowper is the third poet whose story is told. Even though he struggled with severe depression all his life, God was still able to use him to write some hymns that still encourage Christians over 200 years later, such as “O for a closer walk with God” and “There is a fountain filled with blood.”
The last story is about Frances Ridley Havergal, who struggled with ill health throughout her life. Even when doctors ordered her to do no work she still wrote poetry occasionally when she couldn’t stop it from forming in her mind. Her most famous song is probably either “Take my life and let it be” or “Like a river glorious.”
I found Well With My Soul to be very inspiring and encouraging.
No warnings!
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 10 – 12, 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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