Fanny J. Crosby
Fanny J. Crosby
was born of humble parents at South East, New York, on March 24, 1823. She was blinded at the age of six weeks by improper medical treatment. Throughout her life time she was a faithful member of the Saint John's Methodist Episcopal Church in New York City. She was educated at the New York School for the
Blind. From 1847 to 1858 she served as a teacher at this school. In 1858 she married a blind musician, Alexander Van alstyne, a higly respected teacher of music at the blind institution. Her earky verse writing was primarily of a secular nature. One of her popular songs, "Rosalie the Prairie Flower," brought her almost three thousand dolars in royalties, a considerable amount for that day. Through the influence of a well known church musician, W.B. Bradbury, she began, in her early forties, to write gospel song lyrics in earnest and became the "happiest creature in the land." It i said that Fanny Crosby never wrote a hymn text without first kneeling in earnest prayer and asking for divine guidance. She was also characterized by the little American flag that she always carried along with her Bible. The anticipation of seeing her Savior undoubtedly had great personal meaning to this blind believer. Early in life Fanny Crosby showed an unusual poetic talent . At the age of eight she wrote these words:
This same strong spirit characterized her entire life. Once a well intentioned Scotch minister remarked to her, "I think it is a great pity that the Master, when he showered so many gifts upon you, did not give you sight." her rebuke came quickly, "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition to my Creator, it would have been that I should be born blind?"
Why? asked the surprised clergyman.
"Because, when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior."
