The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-02-17
With 5000 Songs To Her
Credit.
FANNY CROSBY NOW NO MORE
Wrote So Many Hymns the
Publishers Had To Dis.
gnis Her Name.
SHE WAS IN HER oSrH YEAR


ny Crosby, well known hymn writer
died to-day at her home in her nine
ty-ffth year. Eight thousand hymns
of Christian worship sung i'm Pro-
testant churches throughout the
world. are the work of Fanny Cros-
Charles Wesley or Isaac Watts has
made anywhere near as large con-
tributiOn to the gospel song book as
did the blind writer whose death
occurred to-day.
Fanny Crosby's name was signed
so regularly as author of one hymn
after another that the hymn book
makers of "A quarter of a century
ago We're forced to give her some
200 different pen names to make it
appear that someone besides the ia
nous writer had contributed. Thous-
ands-who sang her songs, which
were translated into every language,
did not know that il was blind
woman's inspiration which they en-
ployed to express their Christian
faith and hope in song.
Saved BY Grace blessed AS
suraDce'' Rescue the Perishing''
and Safe in the Arms OF Jesus" are
typical of Fanny Crosby's most pop
ular religious verses. OF the latter
the writer has related an incident
showing the remarkable rapidity
with which she employed her inspi-
ration and her talents of versifica-
ton.
w. II. DOane. who wrote the mu-
sic for many of her verses. had call
ed one morning at Miss Crosby's
home in New York.
81 must take train to Cincin-
natl in 40 minutes" he said. and
have some music for which | want
you to write hymn
He sat down at the piano and
played his music.
~ think can write it, Mr..
poane.' | said.
II hurried upstairs and sat down
10 write. For some time ! was en-
tirely oblivious of surroundings.
When ! came back to my full senses
the hymn was written and was on
paper before me- learned that
had only taken fifteen minutes. Tri-
umphantly ! carried it down to Mr..
Doane. The music he played then
and the words | had hurriedly writ
ten are the same as used to-day in
singing Safe i'm the Arms of Jesus.
1T was my most successful hymn,
and | believe il was dictated by the
spirit of the Lord, and that il was
born for Il mission
But Fanny Crosby did not begin
until she was over
forty years of age. Fifty years ago
she was best known for her popular
melodies. which were whistled all
over the country. such as Proud
World. Good-By. I'm Going Home"
Hazel Fell. The Honcysucklc
Glen, and Never Forget the Dear
Ones"
Born in Putnam county, New |
York State. March "a. 1920, chris |
tened Frances Jane Crosby, she was
to Alexander Van Alstyne, |
blind music teacher who died |
many years ago. Her mother had |
lived to he lo2. and her grand
mother to be 1906. She retained to |
The last all OF her faculties except
ing eyesight. She lost this during n
fever in infancy when hot poul-
ice was applied to her eyes. de- |
stroying the optic aerve.
Her death was not unexpected. as
her health had been failing for
some time. Shortly before the end
she became unconscious aud re-
NAMED In that state until death. At
Ter bedside were her niece, Mrs.
henry ID. Booth. and other members
IF the family with whom she long
lad made her home.
In spite of feeble health. especial
y within the past few months, Miss
,rosby continued writing hymns up
o short time before her death.