The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-02-19
FANNY CROSBY, BLIND
I HYMN WRITER, IS DEAD
Famous Character Is No
More
She Composed 5000 Hymns Used In
Protestant Hymn Books Through
out World

out World
Bridgeport, Conn.,, Feb 12.-Fanny
Crosby, well known hymn writer, died
today at her home here in her ninety
fifth year.
q Miss Crosby's death was not unex-
pected as her health had been failing
for some time. At her bedside were
her niece, Mrs. Henry D. Booth, and
other members of the family with
whom she long had made her home.
In spite of feeble health Miss Cros-
by continued writing hymns up to a
short time before her death.
Eight thousand hymns of Christian
worship sung in Protestant churches
throughout the world, are the work of
Fanny Crosby. No one since the days
\ of Charles Wesley or Isaac Watts has
pmade anywhere near as large con-
tribution to the Gospel song book as
did the blind writer whose death &C.
CURED today.
Given 200 Pen Names.
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 were forced
to give her some 200 different pen
names to make it appear that someone
besides the famous writer had con-
tributed. Thsusands-perhaps hun
dreds of thousands-who sang her
songs, which were translated into
every language, did not know that it
was blind woman's inspiration which
they employed to express their Chris
tian faith and hope in song.
Saved by Grace" BLESSED Assur-
ance," RESCUE the Perishing," and
"Safe in the Arms of Jesus" are typi-
cal of Fanny Crosby's most popular
religious verses. Of the latter the
writer has related an incident show
ing the remarkable rapidity with
which she employed her inspiration
and her talents of verification.
w. H. Doane, who wrote the music
for many of her verses, had called one
: morning at Miss Crosby's home in
New York.
"T must take a train to Cincinnati
in forty minutes he said, and | have
some music. for which | want you to
write hymn
"He sat down at the piano and play
ed his music.
so think | can write it, Mr.. Doane,'
l said
81 hurried upstairs and sat down to
write For some time | was entirely
oblivious of surroundings. When |
came back to my senses the hymn
was written and was on paper before
me. | learned that | had only taken
Fifteen minutes Triumphantly | car
ried it down to Mr.. Doane. The music
he played then and the words | had
hurriedly written are the same as
used today in singing Safe in the
Arms of Jesus
at was my most successful hymn,
and | believe it was dictated by the
spirit of the Lord. and that it was
born for a mission"
More Popular Melodies.
But Fanny Crosby did not begin
hymn-writing until she was over forty
years of age. Fifty years ago she
was best known for her popular melo
dies, which were whistled all over the
!, country, such as proud World Good
5y, I'm Going Home "Hazel DELL"
''The Honeysuckle Glen and "Never
Forget the Dear Ones"
Born in Putnam County, New York
State, March "a, 1920, christened
Frances Jane Crosby, and married to
Alexander Van Alstyne, blind mu-
sic teacher, who died many years
ago, the blind writer lived to be nine
ty-fve years old Her mother had
lived to be 1902 and her grandmother
to be 106. She retained to the last
all of her Notwithstanding eye
sight, She lost this during fever in
infancy, when hot poultice was APP
piled to her eyes, destroying the op,
tic nerves.
At eight years the little girl dis
p.ayeG her first talent in versificati1n
by this philosophy of contentment:
Oh, what happy soul am l!
Although | cannot see;
| am resolved that in this world
Contented | will be.
How many blessings l enjoy,
That other people don't;
To weep and sigh because I'm blind,
l cannot and | won't.
For twelve years she studied at the