Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-03-23
HONOR BLIND HYMN WRITER.
WILL PASS DAY QUIETLY
AT HER HOME.
The Eyesight of Fanny Crosby
Destroyed BY The Ap-
plication of Hot
Pof,lffces.
Poultices.
Soeeial Dispatch to Evening Capital

Bridgeport. Conn, March 23-
Fanny Crosby, the blind author of
s. 600 hymns, among them some of the
best known of the world 5 sacred songs.
will be S5 years old tomorrow. She will
pass the day quietly in this city, the
greater part of the time being spent
in listening TO her sister read some of
the hundreds of messages and letters
of congratulation that poured in from
every part of the country.
One of the most welcome of the con-
gratulatory letters received by Miss
Crosby was from former President
Grover Cleveland. When the hymn
writer was a teacher in the New York
Institute for the Blind many years
ago, Grover Cleveland was secretary
to the president of that institution.
and he has written her a letter, in
which he says:
r "It is more than fifty years ago that
our acquaintance and friendship be-
gan, and ever since that time l have
watched your continuous and disin-
terested labor in uplifting humanity
and pointing out the way to and ap-
probation of Gods 5 goodness and
mercy. AS one proud to call you an
old friend, / desire to be early in join
ing your other friends and admirers in
congratulating you on your long life
of usefulness and wishing you in the
wears vet to be added TO you the
peace and comfort born of the love of
God. Please accept, besides, the in
closed contribution of testimonial
which is richly due Won at the hands
OF those who believe you have done
much for the souls in need of help" +"
The eyesight OF Miss Crosby was
destroyed by the application of hot
pnultices TO her eyes when she was a
Oaby. It was while she was a young
woman in the 30s that she first be-
came known as song wfiter. She
was spending a vacation in Reading,
Pa. when she became acquainted with
Prof. George e. Root. who in after
years became the composer of SO many
songs. Professor Root became i'm
pressed with Miss Crosby's talent, and
they formed a combination in which
she wrote the verses for the songs that
ne composed During the war Miss
Crosby wrote q number of patriotic
songs.
she enjoyed the friendship of
number of prominent men, including
President Tyler and Van Buren, Henry
lay, William ii. Seward and General
Winfield Scott, and she has met many
of the most conspicuous figures IN
American history since those days
One of the most pathetic incidents IN
her life is told in connection with the
friendship that existed between herself
aud Henry Clay. sThe great statesman
mad lost son in the Mexican battle
uf Monterey. and Miss Crosby wrote a
few appropriate stanzas and sent them
10 the father. These touched him
deeply. A few months later, while
visiting New York, he was received at
the institution where Miss Crosby
was teaching. She had been delegated
to give him poetical welcome, and
after il was over Mr.. Clay drew the
blind girls arm in his and wept as
he said: "This is not the first poem
for which am indebted to this lady.
She sent me some beautiful lines Oh
the death of my dear son."
"Mr. Clay soon recovered himself
by a splendid effort, said Miss Cros-
by, when recalling this incident, but
| could not control my tears. " Miss
Crosby also had the distinction of be-
ing the first woman whose voice was
ever publicly heard in the Senate
Chamber in Washington. This was
way back in the 50s when she read
poem there Some of Miss Crosby's
hymns that continue popular in ad-
dition to "Safe in the Arms of Jesus. "
Rescue the Perishing" and Pass
Me Not. 0 Gentle Savior, are Jesus
Is Calling" Blessed Assurance, "
''All the Way My Savior Leads Me, F"
Saved by Grace, - There's a Cry
from Macedonia, - Jesus the Water
of Life Will Give, = Keep Me Near
the Cross, - "Let the Good Angels
Come In,2 "Strike the Harp of
Zion, . Blessed Homeland, -" Twill
Not BE Long. Our Journey Here. =
''Some Day the Silver Chord Will
Break, y 'Thy Word Is Lamp to Ny
Feet, . Never Say GoodBy, Holy,
Holy Is the Land" "Savior, More
Than Life to Ne"