America’s Songbird—Fanny Crosby

Happy birthday to Fanny Crosby, born Francis Jane Crosby on March 24, 1820 in Putnam County, New York. Miss Crosby was one of the best known women in the USA in the 19^th and early 20^th Centuries, writing at least 8000 hymns during her long life. Most of the hymnals published in America for about the last century and a half contain her work.

When Fanny was six weeks old her parents John and Mercy Crosby took her to the doctor to treat inflammation of the eyes. The man filling in for the regular family doctor recommended a treatment that ended up blinding her for life. Instead of being bitter, Fanny was thankful not to have the distractions from knowing God that sighted people have. Even her earliest writings reflect the strong Bible teaching she received during childhood from her mother and grandmother (her father died when she was one year old). At age eight she wrote these verses revealing her attitude toward her blindness:

Oh what a happy soul I am,

Although I cannot see;

I am resolved that in this world

Contented I will 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.

In adult life Miss Crosby became a teacher and a musician. She married a blind musician and fellow-teacher in 1858 and had a daughter, who died in infancy. Having experienced success writing poems and popular songs, she turned to writing what she is most famous for—hymns. In one of her best known hymns she writes, “I long to see my Savior first of all.” Her attitude toward God’s dealings with her really shines in her song, “All the Way My Savior Leads Me.” One line in this song states, “Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my guide?”

The hymns of Fanny Crosby indicate that she kept her childhood resolve to be content. In her hymn, “Blessed Assurance,” she exclaims, “Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blest.” It was probably this testimony of contentment that led one poet to eulogize her with the words, “Our songbird has taken her flight.” The blind hymnist finally saw her Savior first of all on February 12, 1915.

Such steadfast, joyous faith comes from knowing and believing the Word of God. She accepted the Bible’s testimony about her Lord despite adverse circumstances. All the way the Savior led her, and she was able to truly testify, “For I know whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.”

Oh, for the insight to see as clearly as Fanny Crosby did!

____________________

For further reading:

Fanny J. Crosby: An Autobiography (Hendrickson Publishers, 2008) Forthcoming

Guye Johnson, Treasury of Great Hymns and Their Stories (BJU Press, 1986)

Wikipedia article on Fanny Crosby

America’s Songbird—Fanny Crosby