A Picture of Grace

“Praise the Lord!†the man yelled. “Here comes the authoress!†The man was Pastor D. L. Moody, a well-known teacher an evangelist, and he was introducing one of the most prolific hymn writers in the United States of America, Fanny Crosby. Her hymns had touched and inspired millions who attended his church revival meetings. She only found herself on stage because there was no other seating available, but Moody was delighted to have her there.

Fanny was born in Putnam County, New York, in 1820. In infancy she developed a bad cold, causing inflammation in her eyes. A doctor applied mustard plasters, which some thought caused damage, and Fanny lost her sight. At the New York Institution for the Blind, she became a teacher and wrote song lyrics and other poetry. In addition, she had the honor of becoming the first female voice heard publicly in the United States Senate Chamber in Washington, DC. She even read one of her poems there. How awesome is that?

In 1858, she married a fellow scholar, Alex Van Alstyne (who was also blind), and they had one child. But when their child died in infancy, Fanny was badly grieved. Her hymn “Safe in the Arms of Jesus†is believed to be the result of that grief. In the lyrics of this beautiful hymn, she expresses how wonderful it is to be close to Jesus, “Safe on His gentle breast / There by His love o’reshadowed / Sweetly my soul shall rest.†She also looks forward to the day Jesus will make all things new, when we will be “Free from the blight of sorrow / Free from my doubt and fears.†How many other suffering parents were comforted by that hymn?

Fanny wrote an astounding eight thousand hymns. She gave all credit for her gift of hymn writing to the Lord. She also worked relentlessly to serve people who were impoverished and living in the inner city, most of whom were immigrants. She was an amazing woman for whom things could have turned out so differently. Instead of despair, she chose to draw near to her Lord and Savior. The next time you hear “Blessed Assurance†or “Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Savior,†remember the woman who wrote them, Fanny Crosby. • Susan Sundwall

• No matter what your circumstances are, God has given you gifts that are important in His kingdom. What are some ways you can serve Jesus in your context?

• Have you ever experienced Jesus’s love and closeness through worship music and hymns?

Sing a new song to the Lord; let the whole earth sing to the Lord. Psalm 96:1 (CSB)

Read Verses:

John.5.1-John.5.15|Eph.2.12-Eph.2.13|Titus.3.3-Titus.3.8