Beacon Light

Franny Crosby was one of history’s most prolific hymnists. Under at least 200 different pen names, she wrote nearly 9,000 hymns and gospel songs, including “Blessed Assurance,” “Pass Me Not O Blessed Savior,” and “To God Be the Glory.” I grew up singing her “Give Said the Little Stream.” Before you imagine she got rich from royalties, I should tell you she usually received a dollar or two for each song. Much of that she donated to charity. Franny was either born blind or became blind when she was a few weeks old.  “It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life,” she said, “and I thank Him for the dispensation. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I’d been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me. When I get to heaven, the first face that shall gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.”