Sunday, August 17, 2008

Blessed Assurance!

Crosby was visiting her friend Phoebe Knapp as the Knapp home
was having a large pipe organ installed. The organ was incomplete so, using the piano,
Mrs. Knapp played a new melody she had just composed called "Assurance".
"What do you think the tune says?" asked Knapp. "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine", answered Fanny Crosby. The hymn appeared in the July 1873 issue of Palmer's GUIDE TO HOLINESS AND REVIVAL MISCELLANY, a magazine printed by Dr. and Mrs.W.C. Palmer of 14 Bible House, New York City. It appeared on page 36 (the last page) with compete text and piano score, and indicated it had been copyrighted by Crosby that year. It is not certain that this was the first printing of the hymn, but it certainly helped to popularize what was to become one of the most beloved hymns of all time.
~ Blessed 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 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. Perfect submission, all is at rest! I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with his goodness, lost in His love.
~
~Fanny Crosby~

5 comments:

Unknown said...

I love the Fannie Crosby Hymns.She was an amazing song writer.
Great post.
Love you two. Mom

Autumn said...

I never knew the origin of the song before. Pretty neat!

Meredith Ivy said...

Hi Holly and Katie!

That's really interesting. Have y'all heard Third Day's version of the song on one of their Chronology CD's? It is really cool... I have it as the ring tone on my cell phone. Hope y'all have a great week!

Kristi said...

It is a beautiful and timeless hymn!

~Kristi

Mississippi Songbird said...

My Mom loved this hymn and so do I. Thanks for the reminder.. Have a great week.