Looking at the second in this series of articles to highlight some of Fanny J. Crosby’s songs, let’s consider the words of one of her songs from 1868. Just 3 years after the pain of the American Civil War, she was encouraged to write this hymn as the result of a visit to a prison. It was in the spring of ’68 and William H. Doane recorded the following: “After she (Fanny J. Crosby) had spoken, and some of her hymns had been sung, she heard one of the prisoners cry out in a pleading voice, ‘Good Lord, do not pass me by!’.” The song finds it’s Biblical basis as we read of Christ passing by the blind me in Matthew 20:29-34. “Two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David.’…”
An additional reference can be seen in the second verse of this song as we read Mark 9:24. Jesus and His disciples are speaking with a man concerning his son’s illness. The boy was possessed by a spirit, vs 17, and the disciples had not been able to cast the spirit out. In speaking to Jesus the man said, “…if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” Jesus response to the father’s plea was in the form of a question as he asked, “If You can?” All things are possible to him who believes.” In this statement Jesus offers hope to all mankind. And, like the troubled father, when we’re honest with ourselves we will admit our own short comings. In reply the father says what Fanny J. Crosby wrote and what we come to sing… “I do believe, help my unbelief…”
Would that we all have a heart that cries; “Savior, Savior! Hear my humble cry…”
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior…
Pass me not, O gentle Savior, hear my humble cry; While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
Refrain: Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry, While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
Let me at Thy throne of mercy find a sweet relief; Kneeling there in deep contrition, help my unbelief.
Trusting only in Thy merit, would I seek Thy face; Heal my wounded, broken spirit, save me by Thy grace.
Thou the spring of all my comfort, more than life to me, Whom have I on earth beside Thee, Whom in Heav’n but Thee.
let’s consider the words of one of her songs from 1868. Just 3 years after the pain of the American Civil War, she was encouraged to write this hymn as the result of a visit to a prison. It was in the spring of ’68 and William H. Doane recorded the following: “After she (Fanny J. Crosby) had spoken, and some of her hymns had been sung, she heard one of the prisoners cry out in a pleading voice, ‘Good Lord, do not pass me by!’.” The song finds it’s Biblical basis as we read of Christ passing by the blind me in Matthew 20:29-34. “Two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David.’…”