Worship Series #1: Blessed Assurance (1873)

Fanny (Francis) J. Crosby “lived”, very accurate description, from March 24, 1820 – February 12, 1915. At an early age she contacted an unknown ailment. Living in a small town with no doctor, her family fell prey to a snake-oil salesman. His treatment left her blind. That’s where Fanny’s life began !

Fanny Crosby is one of the greatest of the world’s hymn-writers; perhaps only Isaac Watts and John Wesley would rank above her. (IMHO)

As a blind, eight- year old, Fanny wrote:

 

O 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.”

 

When she was a mere child she committed to memory the first four books of the Old Testament and the four Gospels, while blind! The following is a classic example of the blind woman’s “insight.”

 

Speed away! Speed away on your mission of light,

   To the lands that are lying in darkness and night;

‘Tis the Master’s command; go ye forth in His name,

   The wonderful gospel of Jesus proclaims;

Take your lives in your hand, to the work while ’tis day,

   Speed away! Speed away! Speed away!

 

Speed away, speed away with the life-giving Word,

   To the nations that know not the voice of the Lord;

Take the wings of the morning and fly o’er the wave,

   In the strength of your Master the lost ones to save;

He is calling once more, not a moment’s delay,

   Speed away! Speed away! Speed away!

 

Speed away, speed away with the message of rest,

   To the souls by the tempter in bondage oppressed;

For the Savior has purchased their ransom from sin,

   And the banquet is ready. O gather them in;

To the rescue make haste, there’s no time for delay,

   Speed away! Speed away! Speed away!

 

Before her 95 years was over, she wrote over EIGHT THOUSAND HYMNS !

In 1843, she joined a group of lobbyists in Washington, D.C. arguing for support of education for the blind. Wherever they keep the giants in Glory you will surely find (H8n recommends Richard Wurmbrand, and of course) Fanny J Crosby, sans eye glasses!

She was arguably the most famous woman of her time. Crosby was very well known during her time and often met with presidents, generals and other dignitaries. She played the hymn “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” at President Grant’s Funeral in 1885. In her later years, she also became a popular public speaker.

When she died, her tombstone carried the words:

“Aunt Fanny” and “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.”

Well, that’s it for the first in my series of historical hymns. Most will be from the 1800’s, as there is such a rich history from this era. When I think of most current so-called “hymns” of today? I think “Post-Modern.” Not a great deal of rich history associated with “Post-Modern.” A future posting will be including Albert Edward Brumley.

Here are some links on Francis J. Crosby

 

Now to put the cookies on the bottom shelf:

 

Blessèd 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.

 

Refrain

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.

 

Refrain

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, 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.

 

Refrain

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.