Dear Church,
O God, the blessed assurance of all who trust in thee: We give thanks for thy servant Fanny Crosby, and pray that we, inspired by her words and example, may rejoice to sing ever of thy love, praising our Savior; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Frances Jane Crosby (March 24 1820 – February 12 1915), usually known as Fanny Crosby, was an American lyricist best known for her Protestant Christian hymns. A lifelong Methodist, she was one of the most prolific hymnists in history, writing over 8,000 despite being blind since infancy. Also known for her preaching and speaking, during her lifetime Fanny Crosby was one of the best known women in the United States.
To this day, the vast majority of American hymnals contain her work (but not the 1982 Episcopal Church Hymnal). Some of her best known songs include “Blessed Assurance”, “Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home”, “Praise Him, Praise Him”, and “To God Be the Glory”. Because some publishers were hesitant to have so many hymns by one person in their hymnals, Crosby used nearly 100 different pseudonyms during her career.
Crosby wrote her first hymn in 1863 for the composer William B. Bradbury, a respected musician and publisher. It was called “There’s a Cry from Macedonia”. Over the years she wrote for Bradbury and for other composers, including Philip Phillips, Hubert P. Main, Robert Lowry, W. H. Doane, Ira D. Sankey, Philip P. Bliss, Mr. W. F. Sherwin, and Phoebe Knapp.
Crosby was very well known during her time and often met with presidents, generals, and other dignitaries. She played the hymn “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” at President Grant’s funeral in 1885. In her later years, she also became a popular public speaker.
Some of her hymnody is below:
“All the Way My Savior Leads Me”—bef. 1875, music by Robert Wadsworth Lowry
“Blessed Assurance”—1873, music by Phoebe Knapp
“Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home”—1883, music by George C. Stebbins
“I Am Thine, O Lord”—bef. 1875, music by W. Howard Doane
“Draw me Nearer”—1875, words by Fanny Crosby (James Kiefer, hagiographer)
I remember singing “I am Thine Lord, O Lord” and “Blessed Assurance” in seminary, and still have Johnny Cash performing her hymns on his Gospel albums. Her lovely, old-time gospel hour songs have grace that lift up the spirit. May we continue to be inspired by her, and maybe sing some of her hymns again?
Grace and peace abounding,
Father Eric