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On Saturday 22nd November, we hosted a special evening of worship and reflection, celebrating the timeless songs of Fanny J. Crosby—the blind hymn writer whose words have drawn millions closer to Christ. Through her powerful testimony of faith, born from a life of trials and triumphs, we heard her story unfold in word and song.
What to Expect:
- Singing: Different singers from our denomination and guests will bring to life Crosby’s beloved hymns, including Blessed Assurance, To God Be the Glory, Safe in the Arms of Jesus, and Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour.
- Storytelling Narration: Each hymn will be introduced with a brief, heartfelt narration—sharing the personal moments of inspiration behind the words, from Crosby’s dramatic conversion in 1850 to her ministry among New York’s forgotten souls.
- A Time of Fellowship: Refreshments will follow, offering a chance to connect, share testimonies, and linger in the joy of these sacred songs.
When: Saturday, 22nd November 2025, at 7:30 PM
Where: Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church
Killynure Road, Carryduff, Northern Ireland BT8 8BN
(Just a mile from the Church Road junction—plenty of parking available)
Price: This event is free and open to all—no tickets required. An offering will be taken up in aid of the church at Matere, Kakamega Forest, Kenya.
Come and let Fanny Crosby’s hymns remind us: In the darkness of this world, we have a Saviour who lights our way. We look forward to worshipping with you!
In Christ’s Service,
The Music & Outreach Team
Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church
Teach me thy way, O LORD;
Psalms 86:11
I will walk in thy truth:
unite my heart to fear thy name.
Live Broadcast
Photos
Fanny Crosby: A Life in Hymns
Born on a quiet spring morning in 1820, little Fanny Crosby lost her sight at six weeks old to a doctor’s mistake, yet the darkness only sharpened her inner light. Raised by a widowed mother and a grandmother who painted the Bible in vivid words, Fanny memorized entire books of Scripture and recited poetry before Congress at twenty-three—the first woman to do so.
She taught at a school for the blind, married a gentle musician, and lived simply, but something was missing. Then, on a chilly November night in 1850, at the age of thirty, she slipped into a revival service at Thirtieth Street Methodist Church. As the congregation sang “Alas! and Did My Saviour Bleed,” the final line pierced her soul: “Here, Lord, I give myself away—’tis all that I can do.” In that moment, kneeling among strangers, Fanny surrendered fully to Christ. Tears streamed down her face as she later wrote, “That night I was born again.”
From that sacred instant sprang a river of over eight thousand hymns—Blessed Assurance, To God Be the Glory, Pass Me Not—songs that carried the joy of her salvation to millions, proving that the girl who never saw the world had found the One who made it.
Imagine a small New York apartment in the 1860s, lit by a single lamp. Fanny Crosby sits in her rocking chair as a composer plays a new melody on the piano. She listens once, maybe twice, then asks, “What should this say?” The words come quickly—clear, complete, and rooted in Scripture she memorized as a child. No writing, no revising; she dictates each line to a secretary while the tune is still fresh.
In 1868, a mother grieving her child’s death asked for a song of comfort; in thirty minutes, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” was finished. Another time, Phoebe Knapp played a simple melody, and Fanny responded on the spot: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!”—the hymn done before the music stopped.
She used over 200 pen names to keep publishers from being overwhelmed, but every song carried the same heart. After her conversion in 1850, hymn-writing became natural to her, like prayer. She produced five to seven songs a week, sometimes more, each one a direct answer to a melody and a moment of faith.
Free eBook about the life of Fanny Crosby
Video about Fanny Crosby
The Crosby Timeline
24th March 1820
Fanny is born
Born Frances Jane Crosby in Putnam County, New York. At six weeks old, a botched medical treatment leaves her blind for life.
1828
Raised on Scripture and Poetry
Her widowed mother and grandmother raise her on Scripture and poetry. Grandmother Eunice reads the Bible aloud; Fanny memorises whole books by heart.
1835
Education at the Institution for the Blind
Enters the New York Institution for the Blind at age 15. Excels in literature and music; later teaches there for 11 years.
1843
First Woman to Address Congress
At 23, addresses the U.S. Congress, reciting original poems and becoming the first woman to speak before a joint session. On multiple occasions, she advocated for the education and welfare of the blind. Her first publication was The Blind Girl and Other Poems, which included her first hymns.
1844
First Published Book
Her first publication was The Blind Girl and Other Poems, which included her first hymns.
20th November 1850
Conversion to Christ
At 30, during a revival at Thirtieth Street Methodist Church in New York, she surrenders to Christ while singing “Alas! and Did My Saviour Bleed.” This conversion ignites her hymn-writing calling.
1858
Marriage to Alexander van Alstyne
Marries Alexander van Alstyne, a blind musician and former pupil. They live modestly; she keeps her maiden name professionally.
1864
First Credited Hymn
Writes her first credited hymn, “We Are Marching On,” for composer William B. Bradbury. A partnership begins that produces hundreds of songs.
1868
“Safe in the Arms of Jesus”
“Safe in the Arms of Jesus” is written in 30 minutes after a mother’s plea for comfort following her child’s death. It becomes her most requested funeral hymn.
1870s–1890s
Prolific Hymn-Writing Years
Pens over 8,000 hymns under dozens of pen names. Favourites include “Blessed Assurance” (1873), “To God Be the Glory” (1875), and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour” (1868). Works with publishers like Biglow & Main and composers like Ira D. Sankey.
1880s–1900s
Ministry in Rescue Missions
Serves in New York City rescue missions, preaching and feeding the poor. Lives among the destitute to share the gospel.
12th February 1915
Death and Lasting Legacy
Dies at age 94 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Her last words: “The angels are coming.” Her hymns live on in churches worldwide.
