Born: March 24, 1820
Died: February 12, 1915
Fanny Crosby was probably the most prolific hymnist in history.
Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age,
she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blindness, she said:
"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."
In 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.
When she died, her tombstone carried the words,
“Aunt Fanny”
and
“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.”
Blessed Assurance - by Fanny J. Crosby,
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
