Fanny Crosby Blessed Assurance, Part 2

In 1839, when Fanny Crosby was about 19 years old, she began attending meetings at a Methodist church. She was timid and never spoke in public. In fact, she agreed to play music for the meetings on the condition that she would never be asked to speak.

A few years later, she developed a friendship with one of the teachers whom she would consult “concerning all matters in which I was undetermined how to act.” Mr. Camp became a true friend and, according to Fanny, “I owe my conversion to that same friend, in so far as I owe it to any mortal.”

When she was about 25, she dreamed that on a cloudy day someone invited her to visit Mr. Camp who was very ill. When she spoke with him, he asked, “Fanny, can you give up our friendship?” She replied, “No, I cannot. You have been my adviser and friend, and what could I do without your aid?”

Mr. Camp indicated that his time on earth was limited. He then asked Fanny, “Will you meet me in Heaven?” She said, “Yes, I will, God helping me.” Then he responded, “Remember, you promise a dying man!”

When she awoke from her dream, the words resonated in her mind, “Will you meet me in Heaven?” Mr. Camp was in perfect health, but the dream left an impression on her and made her think deeply about salvation and whether she would meet her friend or anyone else in “the Better Land.”

Just a few years after her dream, Fanny attended revival meetings at her church. She explains, “On two occasions I sought peace, but did not find the joy I craved, until one evening, November 20, 1850, it seemed to me that the light must indeed come then or never; and so I arose and went forward alone.” As she earnestly petitioned the Savior, heavenly light flooded her heart as she realized for the first time “that I had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.”

At the age of 30, Fanny Crosby could now genuinely sing, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!”

Reflect: Carefully read the lyrics to the hymn “Blessed Assurance,” written by Fanny Crosby. Pray that God will help you sing these words from your heart.

Key Bible Texts

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. (Isaiah 32:17 KJV)