Jesus’ crucifixion is, of course, central to our faith and hope as Christians. ‘Till my ransomed soul shall find rest beyond the river. In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever ‘Till I reach the golden strand just beyond the river. Near the cross I’ll watch and wait, hoping, trusting ever Help me walk from day to day with its shadow o’er me. Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me. There the bright and morning star sheds its beams around me. Near the cross, a trembling soul, love and mercy found me. Jesus, keep me near the cross there a precious fountain.įree to all, a healing stream flows from Calvary’s mountain. On this special day of the year, Good Friday, I’m sharing it here with you. It was sung regularly in the Reformed Church I belonged to as a child, and since then I’ve sung it frequently during my own times of worship … and in the car … and anywhere really, despite having a slight qualm about the wording in a couple of lines. Follow Whispering Winds on WordPress.“In the Cross,” written by Fanny Crosby, is one of my favourite hymns. Marian Korth, author of this blog, has written two books - LISTENING FOR GOD and COME, LORD JESUS, BE OUR GUEST. “This Little Light of Mine” and a Home Town ProtestĮnter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
[quoted from Think about what challenges you personally have faced, or are currently facing in life. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. When Fanny Crosby was asked about her blindness, she responded with this statement: Click this link to a YouTube video where he sings “Near the Cross.” 1972) is blind pianist and vocalist who has a special appreciation for the songs of Fanny Crosby. She listened and then said she felt that the tune said, “Jesus, keep me near the cross,” and she promptly wrote the words. A friend of hers, Howard Doane, came to her with a new melody he had composed. The circumstances surrounding her writing “Near the Cross” were quite typical of how she wrote her songs. This knowledge was a tremendous resource for her to draw upon as she wrote hymns and gospel songs. By the time she reached adulthood, she had memorized the four Gospels, Psalms, Proverbs, and several other books of the Bible. As she grew into childhood, her grandmother took a special interest in helping her memorize Bible verses. Unfortunately, the primitive medical treatment she received caused her to go blind. When she was only six weeks old, she had an eye infection. Two of her best known songs are “Blessed Assurance” and “To God Be the Glory.” She’s been referred to as “the Queen of Gospel Song Writers” and “the Mother of modern congregational singing in America.” In 1975 she was belatedly inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Fanny Crosby (1820 – 1915) was one of the most prolific hymn writers ever.