Eunice taught young Fanny about God. She would take her on walks and tell her of the majesty of God in His created works. She instilled in Fanny a realization of God’s presence in every situation, as well as the need for and power of prayer.

Mercy worked all day and couldn’t see her little Fanny, except at night. Many times, she would come home downtrodden and discouraged. Eunice would lay her hand on Mercy’s shoulder and encourage her with a favorite poem and would finish by saying, “What can’t be cured can be endured.”

On Sundays, the Crosby’s attended a Calvinist Presbyterian Church. There was no organ and no hymns. Finally, Mercy had to move to North Salem about six miles away, which was pretty far in those days. Here, they attended Quaker meeting, which Fannie later remembered for the doleful singing. It wasn’t long before they moved again, this time to Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Whenever Fanny would get to visit her grandmother, she would be given portions of Scripture to memorize. Mrs. Hawley, her babysitter, would continue this work. Soon, she mastered the entire Pentateuch and all four Gospels. Proverbs, Ruth, and Song of Solomon were put to memory, as well.

During her teenage years, she often felt discouraged that she could not get an education like other children. During these sad times, she would go off into a corner and pray to God, as her grandmother had taught her to do. She would ask whether God had some little place for her in His plan, whether she could be His child in spite of her blindness, and whether she would be happy and useful. After these seasons, she would rise with new fervor and determination to pursue her ambitions.

One such experience is related as occurring during a visit to her grandmother’s home. She poured out her heart on her grandma’s knee. After a long talk, it is said that they knelt down together and prayed that God would grant Fanny an opportunity to learn. She believed that she would receive an answer in due time. This was one of the last times they would share before Grandma Eunice died.

Meanwhile, Fanny grew to be a wonderfully talented poet. She would write poetry whenever anything happened in the community or whenever some famous person was laid to rest. Her Grandfather grew proud of his little darling, yet it would be years before she would be allowed to perceive his delight.

Education was nearly impossible to obtain. She was blind and the district schools had no experience or time for aiding someone with such a handicap. Yet, some years before, she had prayed with her Grandmother that God would make a way for her. And this was sure to be answered. God’s timing was soon to come.

Mercy found out about the New York Institution for the Blind. Fanny was taken to this place. Here, she made friends and mastered her studies in English, grammar, science, music, history, and philosophy. Math was especially not for her, and therefore she was excused from it. But in everything else, she excelled.

Fanny continued to write poetry. She just had to compose it. It was simply a part of her. While at the Institution, she was able to learn more about poetic technique. Soon, she became the top student and was becoming famed as “the blind poetess.”

In addition to her poetry, she played the guitar, piano, organ, and harp. She also developed her beautiful soprano voice. Due to her popularity, the Institution took her along with several other students on a tour. This was not the only time they would do this. During these tours, Fanny got the opportunity to meet many prominent figures and even recited a poem to the United States Congress.

Although she never achieved true fame as a poet, she was satisfied with being, “the blind poetess.” The institution enjoyed being able to call on her when they needed to entertain some visiting dignitary. Fanny also became a teacher at the Institution.

On various occasions, Fanny got the opportunity to meet presidents, senators, and generals. Yet, her success did not become a treasured pride to her. She was still a poor, blind woman and an affectionate teacher.

Now, about this time, cholera was sweeping through the world, bringing tragic realities to all within its path. Soon, the Institute itself was facing these circumstances. Fanny, the blind poetess, was not too proud to treat the influx of cholera patients. She volunteered as a nurse, mixing cholera pills. She almost came down with the epidemic herself, but God spared her life—she had an important mission ahead, one she would not realize for several more years.

It was after this shocking crisis that Fanny chose to become more devout in her relationship to God. She was awakened by the near-death incident to the solemnity of life and the coming judgment. Although she had always led a pious, God-fearing life, she realized that she must have a deepened experience with her Savior.

She was soon invited to a series of revival meetings, where, after hearing the hymn by Isaac Watts, “Alas and Did My Saviour Bleed,” she consecrated her life anew to Christ. It seems that she portrayed this experience in the unpublished hymn entitled “Valley of Silence,” where she says, “ For I fell at the feet of the Holy, and above me a voice said, ‘Be Mine.’ And there rose from the depth of my spirit, the echo, ‘My heart shall be Thine.’”

Soon after, Fanny was invited to write lyrics to the songs composed by George Frederick Root. But still she had not found the calling God had in mind. It would still be some years before she would start writing hymns for publication. Yet, all these poetic experiences would prepare her for her mission.

On March 2, 1858, Van Alstine and Fanny Crosby united their lives ’till death did them part. They left the Institution. This was quite a change for Fanny. At the Institution she had been the center of attention. She was now a housewife to a poor music teacher. She had a child, of whom we know little more than of its infant death.

Finally, Van and Fan moved near the Institution again. Society was booming with revival in Christianity and soon she would meet her mission. The Second Great Awakening would need hymns appropriate for the occasion. George Root was now composing music for the abundant Sunday schools.

William B. Bradbury found out about Fanny’s exquisite gift for writing poetry and thought her a viable option to provide words to new hymn settings. Mr. Bradbury had a publishing house, and Fanny was invited to work for him. She not only had found new meaning in life, but also a way in which to use her talents to honor God.

In the meantime, William Howard Doane was composing sacred melodies, but was utterly dissatisfied with the poems he found. He had just been asked to write music for an upcoming church event. But he was totally dissatisfied with the poem that had been given him for the purpose. He knelt down and asked God to provide a poem and also show him a poet that could solve his ongoing dilemma.

How would God answer this prayer? Find out in the next issue of the Youth Messenger!