Saved Alone

This monologue is a dramatic retelling of Horatio Spafford’s grief after receiving the telegram from his wife, informing him that their daughters perished at sea. Sitting in his cabin, he processes his sorrow, questioning God amid unimaginable loss. As he reflects on his daughters' lives and the devastation he and his wife have endured, he struggles with despair. However, as he looks out at the peaceful sea, he finds solace in God’s presence, realizing his daughters are not lost but sheltered in God’s care. Through his grief, he clings to faith, concluding with the powerful affirmation: "It is well with my soul."

Biblical Reference:

• Psalm 34:18 – "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles."

Run-time:

Approximately 7-9 minutes, depending on pacing and pauses for dramatic effect.

CAST
HORATIO SPAFFORD - A wealthy Chicago lawyer and friend of D. L. Moody. His wife and four daughters were on their way to England to join Moody on one of his evangelistic crusades. Spafford, who had been detained in Chicago by business, was to follow a couple of weeks later. The ship his family was on collided with another vessel and sank. His daughters all drowned. His wife was spared. This play takes place about one week after the tragedy. Spafford is now on his way to join his wife in Wales. The captain of the ship he's on has just pointed out to him the spot where it was believed his daughters died.

SCENE
A small passenger cabin on board a ship enroute to Cardiff, Wales. A lone man, Horatio Spafford, is sitting on the bunk, his head in his hands. It is late November, 1873. The room is small and sparsely furnished - narrow bunk, a chair, a chest of drawers and a porthole.

Sample Script

(Sitting on bunk) "Saved alone." (Shakes head, staring at nothing) Two words. That's all. Just two words and they split my life apart. (Beat) "Saved alone." (He pulls a worn telegram from his coat pocket and smoothes it on his leg.) My wife's telegram pounds at my brain until it is all I can hear. (Looks up in anguish.) Why, Lord? (Paces stage right) How can we ever come through this? (Paces to center) First our son, dead after a quick illness. Then our property - burned in that dreadful fire. And now our daughters, lost at sea. (Cries out. Paces to left) Must we endure ALL the trials of Job?

(To the porthole stage right, stands looking out. His voice flattens out.) The captain took me on deck this morning to show me the place they went down. In twelve short minutes, the sea claimed the ship and the lives of my daughters. Their bodies are down there in those anonymous depths. (Moves away) Oh, my Lord, the storm buffeting my soul matches the fury of the wind and sea that night just a week ago. (Uses hands to describe fog) The fog, the billowing waves, the second ship suddenly appearing too late to avoid a collision. (Drops hands to hug body, moves to stage left wall) In that moment, mychaos. (Leans head against arm on wall) I can hear their screams. The frightened voices calling for their daddy. Oh, the horror! To think I let them go to England without me!

(Turns and leans against wall, staring straight ahead) I stood at the rail beside the captain and stared at the peaceful waters of my daughters' graves. (Moves slowly to chair and sits, visualizing each daughter) I saw again Bessie's eager eyes as she would slip her small hand confidingly into mine. I saw once more Maggie's scraped knees and tender affection for her stray puppies, Annie's frown of concentration as she pored over yet another book. whole life was thrown into

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