Hymn Story: The Bright Forever

Fanny Crosby wrote “The Bright Forever.”  Sometimes it’s referred to by the beginning line “Breaking through the clouds that gather.”

Crosby met many distinguished figures in American history, including Henry Clay.

She wrote of one encounter with the politician.  “When Mr. Clay came to the institution during his last visit to New York, I was selected to welcome him with a poem. Six months before he had lost a son at the battle of Monterey, and I had sent him some verses. In my address I carefully avoided any allusion to them, in order not to wound him. When I had finished he drew my arm in his, and, addressing the audience, said through his tears: ‘This is not the first poem for which I am indebted to this lady. Six months ago she sent me some lines on the death of my dear son.’ Both of us were overcome for a few moments. Soon, by a splendid effort, Mr. Clay recovered himself, but I could not control my tears.”