Pass me not oh gentle Saviour
Do those phrases sound familiar to you? That is because they were written by Fanny Crosby who was born on March 24, 1820, and died February 12, 1915. The life of Fanny Crosby could be described as anything but easy. At the age of six weeks old she became ill, and treated by someone posing to be a doctor, was blinded by the mustard poultice treatments on her eyes. Fanny’s father died in November 1820 which forced her mother to seek employment as a housemaid to support her family. This left Fanny’s care to her Christian grandmother who raised her in the fear and admonition of the Lord. At age 8 Fanny Crosby wrote her first poem which mirrored her refusal to feel sorry for herself.
Oh, what a happy soul I am, 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 side because I am blind I cannot, and I won’t!
Fanny Crosby kept this attitude her whole life stating: “it seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all of my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly site were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have song hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me. When I get to heaven the first face that I will ever gladden my site will be that of my Savior.”
At the age of 15 Fanny was enrolled in the newly established New York Institute for the Blind. She remained there for eight years as a student, where she learned along with her studies, to play piano, organ, harp, and guitar, and became a good soprano singer. Another two years as a graduate pupil, and was then an instructor from 1846 until three days before her wedding on March 5, 1858.
In Fanny’s life time she wrote over 9000 hymns and gospel songs with more than 1 million copies printed. She was known as the ‘Queen of Gospel songwriters,’ and some of her songs you may recognize, “Pass Me Not, Oh Gentle Saviour,” “Blessed Assurance,” “Jesus is Tenderly Calling You Home,” “Rescue the Perishing,” and “To God Be The Glory,” just to name a few. When her only child died in its sleep only weeks after her birth, Fanny wrote the hymn, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.” Because she wrote so many hymns she used 200 different pseudonyms during her career, they said no one would buy a hymnal with only one person writing all the lyrics.
About now you’re wondering why I’m bringing Fanny Crosby up at all, and it is to bring up her modus operandi, if you will. Fanny described her hymn writing process like this: “it may seem a little old-fashioned, always to begin one’s work with prayer, but I never undertake to him without first asking the good Lord to be my inspiration.” Fanny Crosby insisted that she wrote her hymns, in a sanctified manner, never for financial or commercial consideration. She set a goal of winning 1 million people to Christ through her hymns and whenever she wrote a hymn she prayed it would bring women and men to Christ, and kept careful records of those reported to have been saved through her hymns. Fanny said that her chief occupation was working in missions. She was aware of the great needs of immigrants in the urban poor and was passionate to help those around her. From the time she received her first check for a poem she wrote, she opened her hands wide to those who needed assistance. Because of her philanthropic efforts Fanny lived on the lower East end, near Hell’s kitchen, in near poverty most of her life. The over 9000 hymns were just the tip of the iceberg to Fanny Crosby’s career in writing poetry, songs, hymns and cantatas, but the list is too long to record on this page.
Many people who have infirmities, or disabilities, can become embittered in life. But Fanny was the epitome of what the Bible calls: joy in suffering. She felt as though God blessed her in so many ways, she never was discouraged by her blindness. She dedicated her life to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, through poems, hymns, and her philanthropic work with missions. When was the last time any of us did anything with the heart-felt conviction of bringing souls to Christ, with no consideration of ourselves, only to reach the lost?
As parents we need to teach our children what it means to be a servant of Christ. Have them mow an elderly person’s yard, or rake the leaves, or hold open a door. Take them to a nursing home and let them read, or sing to an elderly patient there, or just sit and talk. Don’t let them become so consumed in their own little world that they will never know the joy of serving Jesus.
We as authors consider the profits that our works will bring us as we are writing. Always hoping for the next book on the New York’s best-selling list. We would do well to be more like Fanny Crosby, and think of others while we do our writing. Perhaps if we could just instill some life lessons, common sense, or like Fanny wanting to bring people to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This endeavor may not carry much weight here on earth but our profits would be realized in heaven.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
Psalms119:33-40
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
I Chronicles 4:10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Psalms 143:10