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Hello… My name is Fanny Crosby. I entered the New York Institution for the Blind as a student in 1835 at the age of 15. I later taught grammar, rhetoric, and history as a faculty member of the school. I published two autobiographies, four books of poetry, and over 8,000 hymns and gospel songs, some of which are still sung today. Read more...
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From Daytonian in Manhattan: Three blocks to the north, on Ninth Avenue between 33rd and 34th Street, the New York Asylum for the Blind had stood since 1831. In 1839 it had taken in a 19-year old student, Franny J. Crosby, who quickly was recognized for her talent in writing poetry and hymns. Fanny had been blinded by an incompetent physician at Read more...
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Robert Lowry March 12, 1826 – November 25, 1899 Born in Philadelphia, Robert Lowry was converted at seventeen and received into the membership of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia. Active in Christian service from his youth, he soon recognized the Lord’s call to the ministry. He entered school at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania—now Bucknell University—where he distinguished himself academically, graduating in Read more...
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Hymn History: Take the Name of Jesus with You Author: Lydia Baxter “I have a very special armor. I have the name of Jesus. When the tempter tries to make me blue or despondent, I mention the name of Jesus, and He can’t get through to me anymore.” (Lydia Baxter) The Origin of the Hymn “Take the Name Read more...
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Hymn History: Must I Go, and Empty-Handed? Author: Charles Carroll Luther “Years ago … my parents had friends we visited quite often … On one occasion … that represents the way in which we can encourage and bless our friends with unexpected gifts, tokens of our appreciation for them. … ‘Must I go, and empty-handed, thus my dear Redeemer Read more...
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Hymn History: Only a Sinner Author: James Martin Gray “Dr. Gray was a man of vision … the school grew under his able administration. He was a conservative theologian, a fine scholar and excellent Bible teacher, but his interests went far beyond mere academics.” (Robert Cottrill) The Origin of the Hymn “Only a Sinner” Among the many gospel Read more...
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Hymn History: Rise Up, O Men of God! Author: William Pierson Merrill “Unless you give yourself to some great cause you haven’t even begun to live.” (William Pierson Merrill) The Origin of the Hymn “Rise Up, O Men of God!” Among the many hymns that have inspired the Church to action and spiritual maturity, few ring with such Read more...
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Hymn History: Our Great Savior Author: John Wilbur Chapman “Anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it.” (John Wilbur Chapman) The Origin of the Hymn “Our Read more...
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John Wilbur Chapman was a prominent Presbyterian evangelist and hymn writer who lived at 631 West End Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, while he was actively conducting revival campaigns across the United States. This apartment was where he maintained a home base in New York City while traveling extensively to preach and lead revival meetings. It was from this residence Read more...