Fanny Crosby

Today I've been thinking about an American lady who I have recently been reading about. She is with the Lord now, in fact it is on this day that she entered into glory, and saw for the first time since being a baby. You see, she was treated for a cold when she six weeks old, and the treatment prescribed that was supposed to reduce the swelling on her eyes, actually left her blind. Here's a little about her story.....

FANNY CROSBY    1820-1915

Teacher, speaker, mission worker, poet and writer of over 8000 hymns, including

• To God be the Glory
• Blessed Assurance
• Praise Him Praise Him
• All the way my Saviour leads me

Despite the fact that she had become blind at the age of 6 weeks, Fanny lived her life with her 'eyes' on Jesus, seeing with the eyes of faith that beholds the goodness of God. Throughout her life, many would offer her great sympathy to what they considered a great affliction, yet this lady would have none of it.

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

Used from public domain

At the tender age of 8 she was writing with skill and understanding, beautifully expressing a frame of mind that she would hold fast to all her days, boldly refusing self pity. 

"Oh what a happy soul am I although I cannot see, 

I am resolved that in this world contented I shall be. 

How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't. To weep and sigh, because I'm blind? I cannot and I won't."

Fanny excelled in many things and gave her 'talents' to the work of Lord, from memorising huge portions of scripture as a child, to teaching in the Blind Institute New York where she had been a student herself for twelve years. 

Over the years, 8000 hymn lyrics were written by 'The Blind Girl,' often penning up to 7 a day. She kept her lyrics simple to easily convey the message of the Gospel, each with the prayer that they would be used to bring many souls to Jesus. 

In 1858, Fanny married a former student, Alexander Van Astine, and though she earned modestly from her hymn writing, they chose to live in simply and humbly in one of the poorest areas near one of Manhattans slums, giving away all they could to the poor. 

Like her Saviour, she was no respecter of person, and would speak to both congressmen and prostitutes of the gift of salvation available through faith in the risen Lord. She had a passion for bringing words of hope to the alcoholic and the outcasts of society, telling them how she too had been 'rescued,' and that there was room in God's house for all who would believe on Him. 

Whenever asked about her blindness, or when dealt a sympathetic comment, she was quick to reply, 

"If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour."

Today marks the wondrous day when Fanny Crosby indeed saw the face of her beloved Jesus, the One who had been her guide, hope and inspiration during her 95 years here. 

If you wish to read more about her there are several great  books available.

Written by Eliza Hewitt and read by her at Fanny's funeral 1915

Away to the country of sunshine and song,                          

Our songbird has taken her flight,

And she who has sung in the darkness so long
Now sings in the beautiful light;
The harp-strings here broken are sweetly restrung
To ring in a chorus sublime;
The hymns that on earth she so trustfully sung
Keep tune with eternity’s chime!

What heart can conceive of the rapture she knows
Awakened to glories so bright,
Where radiant splendor unceasingly glows,
Where cometh no shadows of night!
Her ‘life-work is ended,’ and over the tide,
‘Redeemed’ in His presence to stand,
She knows her Redeemer, for her crucified,
‘By the print of the nails in His hand.’

 ‘Blessed Assurance’—the lamp in her soul
That made earthly midnight as naught!
A ‘New Song’ of joy shall unceasingly roll
To Him who her ransom had bought.
To ‘Rescue the Perishing,’ her greatest delight,
What bliss, in the Homeland, to meet
With those she has told of the Lord’s saving might,
Together, to bow at His feet.

Good-bye, dearest Fanny, goodbye for a while,
You walk in the shadows no more;
Around you, the sunbeams of glory will smile;
The Lamb is the Light of that Shore!
Someday we will meet in the City above;
Together, we’ll look on His face;
Safe, ‘Safe in the Arms’ of the Jesus we love;
Together we’ll sing, ‘Saved by Grace!’