Fanny Fanny Crosby Crosby Hymn Writer, Hymn Writer, Teacher, and Mission Teacher, and Mission Worker Worker 1820-1915 1820-1915
anny Crosby was a prolific writer of gospel music and a anny Crosby was a prolific writer of gospel music and a powerful advocate for special education and inner city res- powerful advocate for special education and inner city res- Fcue missions. Fcue missions. Crosby (1820-1915) was born in Brewster, NY. Having lost her Crosby (1820-1915) was born in Brewster, NY. Having lost her sight as an infant, Fanny became an advocate for special educa- sight as an infant, Fanny became an advocate for special educa- tion and passionate about sharing the Good News with people tion and passionate about sharing the Good News with people often overlooked by society and churches. often overlooked by society and churches. Active in Methodist congregations throughout her lifetime— Active in Methodist congregations throughout her lifetime— she even earned the nickname, “the Methodist saint”—Fanny she even earned the nickname, “the Methodist saint”—Fanny worshipped with congregations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and, worshipped with congregations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and, finally, at First Methodist Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut. finally, at First Methodist Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut. A lifelong poet, Crosby wrote over 8000 hymns and gospel A lifelong poet, Crosby wrote over 8000 hymns and gospel songs—more than Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts combined. songs—more than Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts combined. Her works include countless Protestant standards, including Her works include countless Protestant standards, including “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine,” “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine,” (over) (over) (Fanny Crosby, cont.) (Fanny Crosby, cont.) “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross,” and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross,” and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.” Savior.” Crosby’s songs reached a wide audience and made her a celebri- Crosby’s songs reached a wide audience and made her a celebri- ty. However, a desire to share the love of Jesus motivated her, not ty. However, a desire to share the love of Jesus motivated her, not a quest for fame. She sang for presidents and power brokers, but a quest for fame. She sang for presidents and power brokers, but her enduring legacy is the fact that humble people continue to her enduring legacy is the fact that humble people continue to experience God’s grace through her music. experience God’s grace through her music. For Discussion For Discussion
• Look at some hymns by Fanny Crosby in the Methodist Hym- • Look at some hymns by Fanny Crosby in the Methodist Hym- nal. What still makes them relevant today? nal. What still makes them relevant today?
• Open “Faith We Sing” or “Worship and Song” and look at • Open “Faith We Sing” or “Worship and Song” and look at some of the newer songs. What are the social issues that con- some of the newer songs. What are the social issues that con- cern song-writers today? cern song-writers today?
• What are the elements of a good hymn? One writer listed • What are the elements of a good hymn? One writer listed them as: personal language; in the present; simple language; them as: personal language; in the present; simple language; stickiness (i.e. easy to remember); and theologically sound. stickiness (i.e. easy to remember); and theologically sound. Do you agree? What other aspects would you include? Do you agree? What other aspects would you include?
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