Printing for the Blind
By L. N. MUCK
AGAIN we wish to call the attention of the people of God to the publishing work for the blind. The past summer we have been privileged to meet with a number of the churches in the Central Union Conference in behalf of the blind in this country. Wherever the work has been presented, the people of God have responded liberally, and have expressed a desire to see the work move on and to see thousands of our blind friends accept the message. But while some have responded to this particular branch of the Lord's work, yet, my brethren and sisters, we are sorely in need of funds with which to carry on the work for the blind. The work is enlarging. Demands for literature are increasing. The blind everywhere are appealing to us for something to read. And we, in turn, bring them to you, and entreat you to unite with us in giving them the message due the world. Thousands are starving for the gospel, and yet we are compelled to retrench, to draw the line, and to refuse them that which would save them from the power of the enemy. We quote the following from the pen of Sister White, which should stir us to quick action, and cause us to sense the times in which we are living:— “Unmistakable evidences point to the nearness of the end. The way must be prepared for the coming of the Prince of Peace. Let not our church-members complain because they are so often called upon to give. What is it that makes the frequent calls a necessity? Is it not the rapid increase of missionary enterprises? Shall we by refusing to give, retard the growth of these enterprises? Shall we forget that we are laborers together with God? From every church, prayers should ascend to God for an increase of devotion and liberality. My brethren and sisters, do not plead for retrenchment in evangelical work. So long as there are souls to save, our interest in the work of soul saving is to know no abating. Not all can go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can do the work waiting for them in their own neighborhoods; and all can give of their means for the carrying forward of foreign missions. “There are new fields to be entered, and we must have your help. Shall we ignore the commission given us, and thus forfeit the fulfilment of the promise accompanying the commission? Shall the people of God become careless and indifferent, and refuse to give of their means for the advancement of his work? Can they do this without severing their connection with him? They may think thus to economize; but it is a fearful economy that places them where they are separated from God.” There are honest souls in every State in the Union perishing without a knowledge of the threefold message found in Revelation 14. We are told that there are many localities in this country which have not yet been worked. Yes, there are two hundred and fifty thousand blind people who have been overlooked. And yet this threefold message is to go to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” I believe that God is calling upon us to be eyes for the blind. We can do this only by giving them the everlasting gospel. I ask you, dear reader, not to turn a deaf ear to the cries of the blind. I plead for my people of like affliction. Opportunities to work for the blind are presenting themselves to us. Thousands are willing to study. Finally, dear reader, let us fulfil the precious words of Isa. 35:3-6: “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.” Those wishing to donate funds to be used in carrying the message to the blind, may send their contributions to Miss Katie Coleman, the secretary of this work, at College View, Neb., and all funds will be turned over to the treasurer of the Central Union Conference.