“O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works!” –Psalm 105:1-2
Frances “Fanny” J. Crosby was one of the most powerful hymn writers in the history of the church. It is hard to find a hymnal, anywhere that does not contain at least one of her hymns. She is said to have written over 8,000 hymns and 1,000 poems in her life. She had a gift with words that allowed her to share her faith through beautiful and powerful lyrics. Her music moves the soul and lifts a person’s thoughts to heaven.
Fanny Crosby was known as the Queen of Gospel Song Writers. She wrote so many songs that publishers often would reject her songs because they thought they had too many of her hymns in their collections. She often had to use a pseudonym so that she could continue publishing her beautiful words. Amongst her many songs were, “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior”, “Rescue the Perishing”, “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”, and “Blessed Assurance”. Her contributions to the world of music still influence worship in churches some 100 years after her death.
Crosby had an exceptional gift. Her ability to write powerful words and music has helped congregations sing praise to God in truly mighty ways. Beyond her gift for writing is the fact that she overcame a significant obstacle in her life. As a baby, Fanny developed an infection in her eye. A local doctor tried an ill-advised remedy on her eyes. This treatment caused Fanny Crosby to lose her eyesight.
Fanny Crosby, The Queen of Gospel Song Writers, was blind from the time she was six weeks old. When asked if she would like to see again, Crosby quickly answered, “No.” She had come to believe that her blindness was a gift that gave her the ability to focus on God and not the many distractions around her. She later would say how happy she was that, “When I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.”
Although Fanny Crosby did not have eyes to see, she had a heart and a mind that could visualize God. Her gift has given words to the thoughts, prayers and hopes of congregations as they sing. She is truly an artist whose music has changed the world.
I hope you will take some time to read the words of Fanny Crosby’s hymns. Her faith is evident in her words. Her love of God leaps off the pages. Although she could not see the paper and ink that conveyed her lyrics, her commitment to using her gifts helped the world to sing of the majesty and glory of God.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
