The Washington herald., 1912-04-10
b FRANCES sHAFFER.

Fanny Crosby, the blind hymn writer"
CAirs Van Alstyne IN private life). known
and loved throughout Christendom for
the inspiration she has put IN her songs.
has just celebrated the ninety-secoAd an
niversary OF her birth. and she is as
cheerily optimistic and wideawake. as
happy as IN me days OF her golden
youth.
BE sure to make It nInety-two years
young"-thtt wac her parting admonition
to reporter who visited her at her
little blind woman was deluged with
congratulations.
Ninety-two years of right thinking
..that Is what keeps people young" Mrs.
Van Alstyne says, ard through the yearx
her aim has been to view the bright side
OF ife. 20 say the kind word. and think
the very best Of the whole world.
And all the while she has been sitting
In physical darkness. blind from the time
OF babyhood. for her age was reckoncd
only IN weeks when the sunlight was
shut away from her for ali time.
: IuarEnity Brought SeIf-yictory.
1t was Harriet .Biertineau who. at the
end OF her long. busy life. counted her
infrmity. deafness. ''sbout the best
7thing that ever happened" to her. for
II brought self-victory and q way of
locking at life that might not have come
otherwise.
And so with Mrs. Van Aistyne. Her
blindness, which, 10 us, seems like a
icruel stroke OF fortune. she counts the
greatest blessing that the munihcent
Creator ever bestowed upon me-" and
not for a moment has she permitted her
self 70 grow out of tune with life.
= Nine years ago. IN writing to a friend,
she said her spirits were every bit as
light and gay as during her girlhood,
and life looked just as big and fun TO
her IS ever. She felt ';etill in the prime
OF life, ready to take up any duty that
suggests itself" Her work grew sweet
er, grander. with the passing Of every
year. and she expected 10 die IN harness,
but not yet awhile.
And when her ninetieth milestone had
been passed. "Aunt Fanny. as the
Christian Endeavorers call her, addressed
= big body Of men and women, some Of
whom had known, loved, and sung her
hymns from childhood
The veil OF darkness that grew over |
her eyes perhaps strengthened her spir- |
itual vision, for her hymns have stood |
the test Of many years.
Believes in Broader sphere.
But Mrs Van Alstyne prescribes some
thing other than hymns for the women |
Of the day. 1t is her pride TO keep in
understanding touch with the progress Of |
the world. 70 be able to discuss the |
latest achievements IN the great field OF |
human endeavor, and TO be posted upon |
matters politic-to be posted. and no |
more, for Americas great hymn writer |
Thinks that politics is not q womzn's 1
game.
am rather glad she Is impressed with |
the advantage to women Of understand |
Ing life as Il runs IN the body politic, |
issues affecting government and a few /
other things of like import For there
are some great statesmen to-day who
would not like to see women Informed /
upon such matters, discussing principles
OF government, &c, in the intimacy OF
home. wonder why.
But her hymns or her views concerning
Woinan's particular corner In the world
have not impressed me so much as her
wonderful optimism. her confident belief |
In the potency Of right thinning
Keep your mind bright and cheerful \
and happy, and then you will realize the
joy Of living to its fullest extent"
Message worth Hearing.
When a woman "ninety-two years
young sends out that inspiring message
to her world OF friends and admirers,
you and may well listen In those long
years spent in darkness, as we conceive
81. she has seen more of light and real
beauty than most folk dream OF, for IL
the sun was shut away, SO were theI
warping, sliding thoughts that make
A