Women’s Ministries Programs

Theme:

“Messages of Love”

This is My Story

The Life and Songs of Fanny Crosby

By

Margaret Goding and

Penny Shaffer

June – Education 2008

Program Idea

This program features Fanny Crosby. Have someone depict her in costume. Check the Website www.cyberhymnal.

org/bio/c/r/crosby_fj.htm for pictures of Fanny Crosby and a listing of many of her songs. This site also contains MIDI

files and the words for these songs.

Introduction

Narrator—Frances Jane Crosby, born in 1820 at Southeast Putnam County, New York, authored over 8,000 hymns

in her lifetime, many of which are still sung today. When only six weeks old, she caught a cold in her eyes. The family physician was away at the time and another country doctor was called in to treat her. Because the wrong treatment was prescribed, Fanny’s eyesight was destroyed completely. It was later learned that the man was not qualified to practice medicine, but it was too late to prosecute him. He had left town and was never heard from again. Fanny never felt any resentment against him, but believed it was permitted by the Lord to fulfill His plan for her life.

Fanny—My grandmother had a profound influence on me. I was only eight years old when I wrote, “Oh what a happy soul am I! 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!” My pastor once said, “I think it a great pity the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you.” I replied, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it

would have been that I should be born blind?” ”Why?” he asked. “Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!” I have felt not a spark of resentment against that phony doctor, because I have always believed that the good Lord, by this means, consecrated me to do the work He still permits me

to do.

Narrator—At the age of 15, Fanny made her way to New York City to attend the Institution for the Blind. She would spend the next 23 years there—twelve as a

student, eleven as a teacher. As she grew, poetry became her passion. She filled every spare moment in writing verse. By the time Fanny was 20, she was famous throughout New York and a much sought–after speaker for poetry recitations and official ceremonies.

In spite of this popularity, Fanny still felt something was missing from her life. It took a severe cholera epidemic in 1849 to show her what that was. More than half of the students at the Institute died, one of them in her arms. After helping to nurse the sick  for months, she almost succumbed to the disease herself and fled to the country. The deaths of those close to her shook Fanny greatly. Deep in her heart she knew she was not ready to die. It wasn’t until she was 31 years of age that she experienced a spiritual

conversion.

Fanny—I went to a revival service at Old John Street Methodist Church in New York City. We were singing the song “Alas and Did My Savior Bleed.” The third line of the last verse reads, “Here, Lord, I give myself away.” For the first time I realized that I had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other. Finally, the God of my grandmother had become real to me.

Narrator—Romance came into Fanny’s life at the age of 20 when she fell in love with another blind student, Alexander VanAlstyne. He was especially fond of music and was captivated by her poems. She, likewise, was fascinated by his sweet strains of music. Later, he would write the music to some of her hymn–poems and spend 44 years with

her in marriage.

Fanny Crosby’s Songs

Read Psalm 40: 1–3a Fanny—I was conducting a prison service when a prisoner cried out, “O Lord, don’t pass me by!” I was so moved by the prisoner’s prayer, that I went home and wrote “Pass Me Not.” No hymn was more popular at the meetings in London in 1875.

Sing Song #301, “Pass Me Not”

Read 2 Peter 3:9

Fanny—While addressing a large group of men at the Bowery in New York City, I felt that a mother’s boy must be rescued that night or not at all. During the altar call, an 18–year–old boy went forward. “I promised to meet my mother in heaven, but as I now am

living, that will be impossible.” I prayed with him and that night he was converted.

“Now I can meet my mother in heaven!” was his cry. Someone was overheard to say, “Isn’t it wonderful what these rescue missions are doing!” On the way home the Lord gave me the words to “Rescue the Perishing.”

Sing Song #691, “Rescue the Perishing”

Read Psalm 119:57

Fanny—Mrs. Joseph Knapp came to my home one day for a visit. While there, she played a tune on the piano and asked, “What does that tune say to you?” I replied, “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!” It didn’t take long for God to inspire me with the words and a new song was born.

Sing Song #310, “Blessed Assurance”

Fanny Crosby’s Challenge

Fanny—I am still amazed over how God has chosen to use me, a blind woman, to help spread His love! We all have disabilities, some physical, some emotional, but regardless of what they are, God has a plan for each person in this world. Luke 1:37 says, “Nothing

is impossible with God” and Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Just as God used this blind woman, He will use your lives individually and corporately for His glory.

Narrator—Even in her later years, Fanny stayed as busy as ever and not just with song writing. Always on her heart were those less fortunate and she volunteered much time at local ministries. Whenever someone approached her with a question or a need, she witnessed to them one–on–one, sharing the good news of God’s love.

Sing Song #22, “To God be the Glory”

—All songs from The Salvation Army Song Book