Francis Jane Crosby is considered the hymn queen. She wrote
over 9,000 hymns. She didn’t start writing until she was 40 years old. Some of
her well-known hymns include “To God Be the Glory,” “All The Way the Savior
Leads Me,” “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross,” “Rescue the Perishing,” and “Blessed
Assurance.”
John and Mercy Crosby were blessed with their first child
whom they named Francis Jane but would call her Fanny. Living simply off the
land, the Crosby’s were very poor financially, but rich in spiritual matters
and Christian principles.
Crosby was born in 1820, in Brewster, New York. At the age
of six weeks old, she lost her eyesight. Even so, Crosby grew to be an active
and happy child. From a young age, Crosby learned about the love of God at the
knee of her grandmother, who would read to her from the Bible. She taught her
how to pray.
From 1835 to 1843 she attended the New York Institute for
the Blind in New York City. At that time, Braille was just being developed, and
it would not become widespread until many decades later. Crosby never used the
system.
After her graduation, Crosby remained at the Institute as a
teacher of English grammar and rhetoric and of ancient history until 1858.
Fanny was given an extraordinary opportunity. Hoping to
bring attention to the Institute, Fanny was sent with some students to
Washington, DC to address Congress. Her stated purpose was to raise money for
the school and encourage Congress to incorporate the blind into every facet of
society and not dismiss them from public life.
Members in her audience the day Fanny spoke to Congress
included John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, and
Jefferson Davis, a senator and the future president of the Confederate States
of America. In this role, Fanny became the first woman to ever formally address
the Senate and Congress.
She married Alexander Van Alstyne, who was also blind and
was also a former pupil and then a teacher at the school. The couple’s only
child was born in 1858 and died in infancy. Although the two eventually lived
apart—to follow their own career paths—they remained married until Van
Alstyne’s death in 1902.
Crosby was once asked if there was a special hymn written
for her conversion experience. She replied: “I would write many hymns to
describe the joy of my salvation. The one that stands out the most to me right
now is this one, ‘Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It.’”
Crosby embraced her blindness saying, “When I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!” She saw the face of her Savior on February 12, 1915, at the age of 94. She was the most important writer of gospel hymn texts in American history.
Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: The shepherd's, even the voice of Christ; and which is no other than the Gospel, which is a voice of love, grace, and mercy; which proclaims peace, pardon, liberty, life, righteousness, and salvation; and which is a soul quickening, alluring, delighting, refreshing, and comforting voice: this the people of Christ are made to hear, not only externally, but internally; so as to understand it, delight in it, and distinguish it from another.
Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible: Yes, the Lord discerns them. He singles them out, for “the Lord knows those that are His” . . . This is the very seal of their salvation. His eyes discern between the righteous and the wicked, between those that fear God and those that do not fear Him; His is a knowledge of quick and positive discernment. “I know them,” literally means a knowledge conveying warm approval and praise. “I know them,” says the Shepherd; “I take a delight in them. I know their secret sighs and times of tears. I hear their private prayers. I know their praises in the silence of their hearts. I know their dedication, and their aspirations to walk in holiness. I know the longings of their heart and their love for Me. I know how they delight in Me. I know how they trust My promises. I know how they look to My atoning blood. I know how in their inmost souls they rejoice in My name. I know them and approve their secret thoughts.” Brothers and sisters, the Lord’s people have an intimate relationship with their Master; Jesus foreknew them in His sovereign grace before the creation of the world; and now He personally knows them by taking a delight in them.
Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: The Lord keeps in true peace the mind-set that consistently trusts in Him.
Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: "Fixed" on the love of God, rooted and grounded in that, and firmly persuaded of interest in it, and that nothing can separate from it; on the covenant and promises of God, which are firm and sure; and on the faithfulness and power of God to make them good, and on Christ the Son of God, and Savior of men; upon Him as a Savior, laying the whole stress of their salvation on Him; upon His righteousness, for their justification; upon His blood and sacrifice, for atonement, pardon, and cleansing; on His fulness, for the supply of their wants; on His person, for their acceptance with God; and on His power, for their protection and preservation.
Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: Bowing the knees and kneeling in prayer were postures that reflected an attitude of submission to God. Kneeling was not the most common posture for prayer in Paul’s culture. Usually, people stood when they prayed. Praying on one’s knees signified especially fervent praying.
Enduringword.com: They were friends because they
were obedient (though not perfectly so). Friendship with Jesus can’t be
disconnected from obedience to His commands. It must be active obedience . . . They
were friends because Jesus didn’t keep secrets from them but openly
revealed what He had received from God the Father.
Enduringword.com: Paul uses this term to describe complete, unhindered fellowship with God. 1 John 3:2 tells us when we get to heaven, we shall see Him as He is. There will be no more barriers to our relationship with God . . . When we get to heaven, we will have a really clear vision of the Lord. “We couldn’t handle this greater knowledge on this side of eternity . . . But up there we shall have our minds and our systems strengthened to receive more, without the damage that would come to us here from overleaping the boundaries of order, supremely appointed and divinely regulated.” (Spurgeon) . . . But in heaven, I will know God as perfectly as I can; being in the glory of heaven with Jesus.
Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: Jews and Gentiles, and all the saints, shall dwell in peace and love one with another, and shall be free from all the outrages and persecutions of the enemy; which, when these happy times of the pouring forth of the Spirit and of the spiritual reign of Christ come, will be no more:
On this side of heaven, we will always be in a spirit of longing. We will always look toward the limited nearness of God that we can only fully experience in His presence when we are reunited with Him for eternity. Until that day, all we can do is pray for Him to draw us closer and closer to Himself. The good news for us is that He is faithful to answer that prayer.
