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“PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOUR.” – The story behind this hymn “A genuine American eccentric, Crosby was known as “the blind hymn writer,” “the Methodist Saint,” and “the Queen of Gospel Songs.”   Born in rural New York State on March 24th, 1820. Crosby was only six weeks old when she developed an eye infection. The doctor was out of town. A medical quack showed up instead. He put hot mustard poultices on the baby’s eyes, and blinded her for life.  Fanny’s Grandmother Eunice became her eyes, describing red-winged blackbirds and violets. She read aloud from the Bible so that Fanny could recite it, cover to cover. At the New York Institution for the Blind, first as a student, then as a teacher, Fanny Crosby established her reputation as a poet.  She dictated her first hymn lyrics in her mid-forties and then composed thousands more. America was experiencing a religious revival ...