Fanny Crosby

“ You can't save a man by telling him of his sins. He knows them already. Tell him there is “ Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make a petition, it would have been that I was born pardon and love waiting for him. Win his confidence and make him understand that you blind? Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my ~~~ believe in him, and never give him up!" savior.” ~ Fanny Crosby ~ Fanny Crosby Communicating Through Music

Thesis Writing Hymns Music has been a way to communicate for centuries. In the 19th century, For many years, Fanny only wrote poems but eventually started adding Fanny Crosby used music to communicate her love for Jesus by writing over music to them with the help of her husband. She earned a reputation 9000 hymns. As a result, millions of people can use those hymns as they If per fect earth ly sight were o ered me “Two of my secrets for staying happy and healthy are to control my tongue and to for her new songs and got a job to write hymns for a publisher, making worship. to mor row I would not ac cept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God control my thoughts. I never want to say an only a few dollars per hymn. She wrote 6 to 7 hymns a day, which led unkind word. I never want to think an if I had been dis trac ted by the beautiful her to have written 9,000 hymns in her life. To avoid suspicion about and in ter est ing things about me. unkind thought. If you find anyone happier than I am, I want you to show him to me. ~ Fanny Crosby so many hymns written under her real name, Fanny used many My cup of happiness is full to overflowing.” pseudonyms to get her hymns published. As paperlesshymnal.com ~ Fanny Crosby states, “ Fanny used many pseudonyms including: A., C., DHW, V.A., Ella Dale, Jenny V., Mrs. Jenie Glenn, Mrs. Kate Grimley, Viola, Grace J. Francis, Mrs. C. M. Wilson, Lizzie Edwards, Henrietta E. Blair, Rose Atherton, Maud Marion, Leah Carlton, and many others.” Some of her famous hymns are Blessed Assurance, Safe in the Arms of Jesus, Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior, and more.

“There was probably no writer in her day who appealed more to the valid experience “It seemed intended by the blessed Fanny Crosby with her stepsisters and stepmom Providence of God that I should be blind all Inspirationalchristains.org of the Christian life or who expressed more sympathetically the deep longings of the my life, and I thank Him for the human heart than Fanny Crosby.” dispensation.” ~George Stebbins Fanny Crosby writing music ~ Fanny Crosby Britannica.com 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 “ It is not enough to have a song on your “ The Holy Book has nurtured my lips. You must also have a song in your That other people don’t, entire life.” heart.” ~ Fanny Crosby ~ Fanny Crosby Fanny Crosby with husband Alexander Van Alstyne To weep and sigh because I’m blind Paperlesshymnal.com I cannot, and I won’t!

~ First Poem by Fanny Crosby “In more than eighty-five years, I have not for a moment felt a spark of resentment against the doctor who blinded me, for I have always believed from my youth up that the good Lord, in His Fanny’s Early Years infinite mercy, by this means consecrated me to the work that I am still permitted to do.” ~ Fanny Crosby Fanny attended the New York Institute for the Blind, later becoming a teacher. While teaching, she met and married Alexander Van Alstyne in 1858, who was also blind. “My grandmother was more to me than I could ever express by word or pen.” They had a daughter who died in infancy. To reassure her husband, Fanny wrote the ~ Fanny Crosby poem, Safe in the Arms of Jesus, referring to their baby. Alexander taught music, he was able to help Fanny compose music for the poem that later became a hymn and inspired the writing of other hymns. Fanny Crosby’s Impact

Fanny became so popular in the public that she was the first woman to be addressed by the US Congress and met 21 presidents, from Early Influences John Quincy Adams to Woodrow Wilson. Fanny succeeded in communicating the love of Jesus through her hymns. Her hymns are Fanny Crosby was born in New York on March 24, 1820 with an eye typically very simple as they tell the story about Jesus, and left infection that blinded her. She was raised by her mother and people interested and wanting to know more about him. Her hymns grandmother who taught her about Jesus and the Bible. Her led more than 1 million people to Christ. Fanny’s songs are still sung grandmother also taught her songs and poems about Jesus and helped in churches, even 100 years later, She got attention for her work, but her memorize parts of the Bible. She even wrote her own poem when always made sure Jesus got the credit. she was eight, which would inspire her to write many more throughout

her life.

Blessed Assurance by Fanny Crosby Safe in the Arms of Jesus by Fanny Crosby

Fanny Crosby Thearda.com “It may seem a little old-fashioned, always to begin Fanny Crosby Thearda.com one’s work with prayer, but I never undertake a hymn without first asking the good Lord to be my inspiration.” ~Fanny Crosby “Access to communication in the widest sense is access to knowledge, and that is vitally important for us. We do not need pity, nor do we need to be reminded that we are Vulnerable. We must be treated as equals, and communication is the best way we can bring this about.” “Since you cannot see, we will be your eyes for you…You can see it through our eyes. We’ll tell you about it. You can make up pictures of it in your head.” "Fanny Crosby was not held back at all by her “One of the easiest resolutions that I ~ Louis Braille ~ Grandma Eunice Crosby blindness… the words of her poetry and formed in my young and joyous heart was hymns helped more people to see and know to leave all care to yesterday and to believe and experience Jesus as anybody with two that the morning would bring forth its own working eyes and 20/20 vision." peculiar joy.” ~ Reverend Alfred T. Day ~Fanny Crosby Fanny Crosby~ Communicating Through Music

Kathryn Woodward Junior Division Individual Exhibit

Student Composed Words: 408 Process Paper: 451 Process Paper

I chose my topic when I received a book last year on Fanny Crosby. After hearing the theme for this year, I saw the book and it drew my attention. I looked into some other subjects, but Fanny Crosby stuck, so I decided to do my project on her.

First I started out reading the book to get a foundation of knowledge about Fanny Crosby and her life. Then I started searching the New York Institute for the Blind and when she was a student and then when she taught there. I researched information about the time when she wrote her hymns. I gathered the information and started putting it together.

I started out with creating a rough draft of my paragraphs and edited them a few times until I was pleased with the results. Then I created my bibliography, annotated it, sorted it in primary and secondary, and put it in MLA format. I looked for quotes that Fanny Crosby said and found a good amount. I also found lots of quotes about her and blindness from other people. Then I looked for pictures of Fanny Crosby, the New York Institute of the Blind, and some of her hymns.

I first started my project by compiling the information and deciding how I wanted it to look. Because I have done an exhibit in previous years, I knew how the layout of the board should look, so it was easy for me to do online. I started with where I wanted the paragraphs and then found a place for the pictures. I tried to match the pictures near the subject of the paragraphs that would make sense. Then I found a place for the quotes using the same process. I had to rearrange some of the items a few times, but finally found a layout that worked. After going to the Regional competition, I used the judges comments to add or change some information. My NHD teacher helped me edit my paragraphs and I lowered my word count. I then rearranged my board some.

My project relates to the theme, Communication in History, because by writing the hymns, Fanny Crosby communicated her love of Jesus. Fanny also communicated stories through her songs. She told people about his works and power. In some of her hymns, she told stories about her life and how Jesus helped Fanny personally. The hymn, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus'' refers to her child that died in infancy. Fanny wrote this to give comfort to her husband about the child. She changed the lives of many people and continues to change them by giving them knowledge and comfort of God everywhere through her 9,000 hymns.

Annotated Bibliography

Primary Sources

“Biographies: Crosby, Frances: Timeline: The Association of Religion Data Archives.”

Biographies | Crosby, Frances | Timeline | The Association of Religion Data

Archives, www.thearda.com/timeline/persons/person_83.asp.

This website gave me a summary of Fanny’s life and named a few hymns she had written. I also got two pictures from this website.

Bradbury, Woodman. “Fanny Crosby.” Fanny J. Crosby Biography - Christian Biography

Resources, www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bcrosby8.html.

I learned lots about Fanny Crosby’s background and young life. I got lots of details of when Fanny was a girl from this website. I also received Fanny Crosby’s first poem that she wrote when she was eight.

“Fanny Crosby Biography.” Inspirational Christians, 25 Jan. 2019,

www.inspirationalchristians.org/influencers/fanny-crosby-biography/.

I found a picture from this website. I learned that Fanny was nicknamed “The Blind Poetess.” I also learned about Fanny’s first child and it dying in infancy.

“Fanny Crosby.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,

www.britannica.com/biography/Fanny-Crosby.

From this website, I learned about her life from when she was born and the eye infection to when she published her last hymn. I also learned that she wrote lyrics to other songs, not just hymns. I also received a picture of Fanny Crosby from this website. “Fanny Crosby: Legendary Methodist Hymn Writer.” The United Methodist Church, 25

July 2018,

www.umc.org/en/content/fanny-crosby-legendary-methodist-hymn-writer.

From this website, I got information about Fanny Crosby’s husband, Alexander Van Alstyle, and how he helped Fanny write the music for the poems that they then turned into hymns. I also got a quote from Fanny’s pastor from this website and it also told me that there were the most hymn writers during Fanny’s life.

“Fanny Crosby on Faith: 7 Quotes in 7 Days.” Living by Design Ministries, 4 Oct. 2019,

livingbydesign.org/fanny-crosby-on-faith-7-quotes-in-7-days/.

From this website, I found many quotes from Fanny Crosby, her Grandmother Eunice Crosby, and many other people she was close to, such as pastors and friends.

Fanny J Crosby, www.paperlesshymnal.com/tph/stories/fannyjcrosby/index.htm.

I got a picture of Fanny Crosby and her husband from this website. I also got a quote. I learned about how Fanny was raised andI received very detailed information about all parts of Fanny’s life.

“Introduction.” Frances Jane Crosby, www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/c/r/o/s/crosby_fj.htm.

From this website, I found lots of Fanny Crosby’s songs. I learned about how famous Fanny was to so many people, including the Presidents. I received a quote from Fanny from this website also. Person. “Fanny Crosby.” Christian History | Learn the History of Christianity & the

Church, Christian History, 8 Aug. 2008,

www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/poets/fanny-crosby.html.

From this website, I learned about Fanny memorizing the bible and how much she memorized. From this I also got the information about Fanny Crosby using false names for who wrote all of the songs. I also obtained a quote from Fanny from this website.

Staff. “Fanny Crosby: America's Hymn Queen.” Christianity.com, Salem Web Network,

28 Apr. 2010,

www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/fanny-crosby-amer

icas-hymn-queen-11630385.html.

I found two quotes from this website by Fanny. I also learned about Fanny’s life in deep details. This website also gave me some information on the hymns that Fanny wrote.

“TOP 14 QUOTES BY FANNY CROSBY: A-Z Quotes.” A,

www.azquotes.com/author/26216-Fanny_Crosby.

I received a quote from this website by Fanny Crosby that talked about her blindness and how it blessed her. It shared her belief that if she hadn’t been blind, she would be distracted by worldly things. Secondary Sources

Carlson, Lindsey, et al. “Fanny Crosby: Her Story, Her Song.” Revive Our Hearts,

www.reviveourhearts.com/true-woman/blog/fanny-crosby-her-story-her-song/.

This website taught me about the different parts of Fanny’s life. It took me through her life and stories. This website was also very detailed in explaining Fanny writing her hymns.

Christie, Vance, and Vance Christie. “Hymn Writer Extraordinaire – Fanny Crosby.”

VanceChristie.com, 10 Mar. 2017,

vancechristie.com/2017/03/10/hymn-writer-extraordinaire-fanny-crosby/.

This website told me that Fanny was an inspirational hymn writer and because of her, many other people became hymn writers, too.

“." Contemporary Authors. . Encyclopedia.com. 24 Dec. 2020

.” Encyclopedia.com, Encyclopedia.com, 30

Dec. 2020,

www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/crosby-frances-jane-1820-19

15-fanny-j-crosby.

This website gave me lots of names of hymns that Fanny wrote, most of the hymns being the famous ones. It also told me who helped her write the music for them. Crosby, Frances (Fanny) J. “Frances (Fanny) Jane Crosby.” Biography & Poetry by

Fanny Crosby, www.myredeemerlives.com/fannycrosbypoetry.html.

From this website, I learned that Fanny Crosby was one of the most Famous hymn writers in the 20th century. I also found a few of her hymns.

“Events: Fanny Crosby Writes ‘Blessed Assurance’: Timeline: The Association of

Religion Data Archives.” Events | Fanny Crosby Writes "Blessed Assurance" |

Timeline | The Association of Religion Data Archives,

www.thearda.com/timeline/events/event_194.asp.

I learned about the story of the hymn Blessed Assurance from this website. I found information on how she used the music to find lyrics. I also got a picture from this website of the sheet music from Blessed Assurance.

Faith Hall of Fame - Fanny Crosby, www.eaec.org/faithhallfame/fanny_crosby.htm.

This website taught me about Fanny’s childhood. It told me that sometimes Fanny would get depressed that she couldn’t learn the same ways as other children because of her blindness, but got comforted by God and had hope.

“Fanny Crosby Hymn Lyrics Collection - Titles Index Page.” Christian Hymn Lyrics By

Fanny Crosby - Titles Index Page, www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/fanny-crosby/.

I learned about Fanny’s publicity from her hymns from this website. I also learned about the names she was known as, for example, “ The Queen of Gospel Song Writers” and “ Mother of Modern Congressional Singing in America.” “Fanny Crosby.” Hymnology Archive, www.hymnologyarchive.com/fanny-crosby.

This website taught me that Fanny started writing hymns for children’s Sunday school which started the motivation for her to write hymns for everyone.

“Fanny Crosby: Never Underestimate the Power of a Grandma.” Forgotten Sheep,

www.forgottensheep.net/blog/fanny-crosby-never-underestimate-the-power-of-a-gr

andma.

This website gave me information about the family’s spiritual life and how they worshipped God together. I learned how Fanny’s grandmother was her inspiration in memorizing the Bible and staying close to God.

“Fanny Crosby: New York Institute for the Blind.” Forgotten Sheep,

www.forgottensheep.net/blog/fanny-crosby-new-york-institute-for-the-blind.

From this website, I learned that Fanny Crosby never was able to master Braille. I learned that the New York Institute was a hard school and the students were not let off easy because they were blind. I also learned that Fanny learned to play the Harp, Piano, Organ, and Guitar at the Institute.

“Fanny Crosby Was Married to Mr Alexander Van Alstyne in 1858 Like Herself He:

Course Hero.” Fanny Crosby Was Married to Mr Alexander Van Alstyne in 1858

Like Herself He | Course Hero, 1 Apr. 2016,

www.coursehero.com/file/p1u9reg/Fanny-Crosby-was-married-to-Mr-Alexander-Va

n-Alstyne-in-1858-Like-herself-he/.

This website told me about Fanny’s job after she started writing hymns. It told me how much she made from writing the hymns and the publishing house she worked for. Fanny Crosby's Wonderful Life Ended,

www.1timothy4-13.com/files/hymns/homegoing.html.

I learned how people loved Fanny and her hymns. I also learned of the ways Fanny changed people through her music. This website also told me how great Fanny’s musical rhythm was.

Hartman, Bruce L. “Fanny Crosby, a Blind Servant of God.” Bruce L. Hartman, Bruce L

Hartman

Https://Brucelhartman.com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2019/02/Bruce-Hartman-Logo.pn

g, 8 Nov. 2019, brucelhartman.com/fanny-crosby-a-blind-servant-of-god/.

I learned that the cause of Fanny’s eye infection was a common cold that settled into her eyes. I also learned from this website that Fanny Crosby’s most famous hymn is Blessed Assurance.

History of Pentecost, theremnant.com/crosby.html.

This website taught me that the music to Blessed Assurance was written before the lyrics, unlike other songs where poems were written and then music was added to them. This website also told me about the impact some of Fanny’s hymns had on people.

“Important Announcement.” History of Missiology Crosby Fanny 18201915 Comments,

1 Apr. 1969,

www.bu.edu/missiology/2020/03/22/crosby-fanny-1820-1915/.

I learned from this website about Fanny and Alexander’s baby that died in infancy. It also told me about their marriage and how it did not last. [email protected]. Fanny Crosby,

www.historyswomen.com/womenoffaith/crosby.htm.

I learned from this website that Fanny Crosby never let evil get into her heart. I learned she always jumped to Jesus first, not anger, sadness, guilt, or hurt.

Kennedy, Carolyn. “Blind Hymn Writer Fanny Crosby Continues to Inspire.”

Wiscnews.com, 7 July 2010,

www.wiscnews.com/saukprairieeagle/news/opinion/editorial/blind-hymn-writer-fan

ny-crosby-continues-to-inspire/article_1b6cf1f6-89cf-11df-bdfb-001cc4c03286.html

.

From this website, I learned that Fanny’s mother and grandmother were very supportive and longed for Fanny to have a good education. I learned that because of this desire, Fanny’s grandmother was teaching Fanny all of her childhood about things that normal sighted people could do and see.

Kids, Church History For. “Fanny Crosby Blind Hymnwriter.” Christianity.com, Salem

Web Network, 16 July 2010,

www.christianity.com/church/church-history/church-history-for-kids/fanny-crosby-bl

ind-hymnwriter-11634868.html.

This website taught me that Fanny’s mother worked as a maid for a rich family. It also told me that Fanny memorized eight books of the Bible when she was only 12 years old. [email protected], Leila Pitchford-English. “Facets of Faith: Trove of Unknown

Fanny Crosby Hymns Found.” The Advocate, 26 Feb. 2016,

www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/faith/article_0a1db10b-953

1-52dd-bea0-7e634006c6ff.html.

From this website, I learned that Fanny wrote 6 to 7 hymns a day. I also found out that Fanny had written more than 2500 unfinished hymns when she died. This website also gave me lyrics to some songs.

“Louis Braille.” Primo Quotes,

www.primoquotes.com/author/Louis Braille.

I received a quote from this website from Louis Braille that talked about communication in the world. It also mentioned that that was the best thing for humans.

Mazzalongo, Mike. “The Blind Poetess.” BibleTalk.tv, 1 Jan. 1970,

bibletalk.tv/the-blind-poetess.

This website told me that Fanny was born into a Puritan family. I also learned about the detail Fanny’s Grandmother would use to describe the real world for Fanny. I found Fanny’s first real hymn from this website.

Ministries, Ligonier. “Fanny Crosby.” 5 Minutes in Church History,

www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/fanny-crosby/.

This website told me about the generations before Fanny. It shared how Fanny worked with other famous poets and hymn writers as more of an inspiration for herself. Reed, Lawrence W. “Fanny Crosby: Blind but Not Disabled: Lawrence W. Reed.” FEE

Freeman Article, Foundation for Economic Education, 22 May 2015,

fee.org/articles/blind-but-not-disabled/.

This website gave me information about Fanny Crosby’s popularity. It told me about the presidents that she had met and that she was the first woman to be addressed in the US Congress.

Seat, author: Leroy. “Remembering Fanny Crosby, Queen of Gospel Song Writers.”

Word&Way, 20 Mar. 2020,

wordandway.org/2020/03/20/remembering-fanny-crosby-queen-of-gospel-song-wri

ters/.

I learned that Fanny’s father died from this website and how he died. I learned that Fanny Crosby wrote poems for thirty years before actually adding music to them. I learned about Fanny’s interactions with the presidents and how she was able to recite poems to them.

“Story behind the Song: 'Blessed Assurance'.” The St. Augustine Record, The St.

Augustine Record, 20 Feb. 2015,

www.staugustine.com/article/20150220/LIFESTYLE/302209970.

I found out that Fanny had written more than 1,000 non religious hymns. This website also taught me that she wrote four books of poetry and two best selling autobiographies. “The New York Institute For Special Education.” Fanny Crosby Home Page – Fanny

Crosby Home – The New York Institute For Special Education,

www.nyise.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=428557&type=d&pREC_ID=9368

86.

I found information on the end of Fanny’s teaching life from this website. I learned about Fanny Crosby writing her hymns. I also learned that Fanny Crosby only made a few dollars per hymn.

“The New York Institute For Special Education.” Links – Fanny Crosby Home – The

New York Institute For Special Education,

www.nyise.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=428557&type=d&pREC_ID=9356

99.

This website gave me lists of hymns and lists of pseudonyms, or fake names, that Fanny Crosby used. This site also had sheet music for some of Fanny's songs for the piano and the guitar.

“The New York Institute For Special Education.” School Life – Fanny Crosby Home –

The New York Institute For Special Education,

www.nyise.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=428557&type=d&pREC_ID=9356

65.

I learned from this website that Fanny naturally wrote in a rhyming pattern that made her write her poems. I also learned that Fanny had liked music before going to the Blind Institute and taking a music class. “." Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. . Encyclopedia.com. 23 Dec.

2020 .” Encyclopedia.com, Encyclopedia.com,

30 Dec. 2020,

www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/cr

osby-fanny-1820-1915.

I learned Fanny was called “ The Protestant Saint” or “ The Methodist Saint'' and that she always asked questions about Jesus. I also learned from this website that Fanny was an excellent storyteller.