Fanny Crosby – converted to Christ

ON THIS DATE

Fanny Crosby was dramatically converted to Christ 11/20/1850 at Methodist revival meeting.

She had been religious before but said thd following about her experience “The Lord planted a star in my life and no cloud has ever obscured the light.”  (Remember – these are the words of a blind lady.)

It would be about fifteen years before she started writing hymn texts.  After she began it seems she “could not stop.” J  Some counts of her hymn texts go as high as 8000.  They include “Rescue the Perishing” “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” and “Saved By Grace” to name a few.  Fanny was born in Putnam County, NY (3/24/1820), and died at Bridgeport, CT (2/12/1915).

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain

This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

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Phoebe Palmer Knapp – birth, Mar. 9, 1839

Oh, now I see the cleansing wave!
The fountain deep and wide;
Jesus, my Lord, mighty to save,
Points to His wounded side.

Refrain

The cleansing stream I see! I see!
I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth me!
Oh, praise the Lord! It cleanseth me!
It cleanseth me—yes, cleanseth me.

2. I rise to walk in Heav’n’s own light,
Above the world and sin,
With heart made pure and garments white,
And Christ enthroned within.

3. I see the new creation rise;
I hear the speaking blood.
It speaks! Polluted nature dies!
Sinks ’neath the cleansing flood.

4. Amazing grace! ’tis Heav’n below
To feel the blood applied,
And Jesus, only Jesus know,
My Jesus crucified.

Phoebe Palmer Knapp was born this date, 3/9/1839, in New York City.  She was the daughter of Walter C. and Phoebe Palmer.  At 16 she married Joseph Knapp, the founder of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.  Both were members of John Street Methodist Church of New York City, where Fanny Crosby was also a member.  

Phoebe Palmer Knapp published more than 500 hymn tunes.  Some think her most famous tune is that of “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby’s” but the above is her tune to accompany her mother’s poem.  Mrs. Knapp died 7/10/1908 at Po­land Springs, Maine.

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William J Kirkpatrick – birth, Feb. 27, 1838

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

2. Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

3. I think of my blessèd Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

4. I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.

                        (Words – Fanny Crosby, Music William Kirkpatrick)

William J Kirkpatrick was born on this date 2/27/1838 at Duncannon, Penn­syl­vania.  He composed the melodies to which we sing “He Hideth My Soul,” “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It” and scores more.  Kirkpatrick wrote the words and music to “Lord, I’m Coming Home.”  The son of a teacher and a musician, Kirkpatrick in 1854 went to Philadelphia, to study music and learn a trade (was a carpenter for 3 yrs).  In 1855, he joined the Wharton Street Methodist Church, there were few church organs then – his violin and cello were in demand. Kirkpatrick died 9/20/1921 at Ger­man­town, Penn­syl­vania.

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