Where Are the Blind? by L. N. MUCK

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 2, 1905

Where Are the Blind?

By L. N. MUCK

L. N. MUCK

This great question is one of vital importance, and we as Seventh-day Adventists, as true lovers of the third angel's message, should consider it, and ask ourselves, Where are the blind to-day, that throng of perishing souls who grope their way in darkness, yes, double darkness, and appeal to us for the gospel message? We feel it a great privilege in these last days to throw out the lifeline to our blind brothers and sisters.

There are thousands of blind persons among us who have as yet never heard the message. I am convinced that we are responsible for the condition of these dying souls. We are not responsible for their physical condition, but we are responsible for their souls. We shall be held responsible in the day of judgment unless we speedily carry the message to this particular class of people.

The question comes, How can we give a knowledge of the third angel's message to the blind? There are but few of them in the message. We can tell them of the soon coming of Jesus in the same way that the message is given to those who are blessed with sight,—by literature and by personal labor. The Christian Record is the organ through which we have reached many souls; and through the same organ, with the co-operation of our brethren and sisters throughout the field, we can give hundreds, yes, thousands, of blind persons a fair knowledge of the precious message.

The work for the blind is in its infancy, yet there has been a great work accomplished for those who can see. Many lonely hearts have been made glad by reading the Christian Record. We appeal to all the brethren and sisters in each State, we appeal to each conference president, to give the work for the blind their consideration. We appeal to the tract societies to subscribe for the Christian Record in behalf of the blind people in their State who can not pay for literature. Each State conference and tract society ought to consider it a privilege to supply all the blind in its own State with at least a year's subscription, and thus give them a chance to read for themselves. Is this asking too much?—No. Have you not spent time and means in supplying our seeing friends with literature? Let us give the blind an opportunity. The result will be that laborers will be raised up who will give the message to our blind.

My brethren, my sisters, are you enjoying the love of God? Are you willing to share it with your blind neighbors? You can do this by sending the Christian Record to those who can not see. We beseech you in the name of Jesus to subscribe for this monthly journal in behalf of those who can not see. We are at present sending out between five and six hundred copies to the blind. About one fifth of these persons are Sabbath-keepers, and many others are favorably impressed, so we hope to have a glorious harvest for the Master. Does not this pay for the money invested?

Almost daily we are receiving applications from blind persons for something to read, and most of them add that they are unable to pay for anything. In almost every case the appeal is so touching that our hearts are melted, and our sympathies go out to them in pity, but we can not supply them. We bring them to you, dear reader, and entreat you to help us carry the message to these truth-loving people who are without hope in the world. Are you traveling to that goodly land? Are you so anxious to reach the goal that you do not see the outstretched hand of the blind? Who was it that called to Jesus as he was passing by?—It was the poor blind man. Jesus had time to stop. There are many to-day calling to us as we pass by. How many of us will take time to stop and bless them?

We still have another class to present to you. We have already spoken of the blind who have all their senses except sight. But consider those who are not only clothed in darkness, but who are in absolute solitude, the deaf-blind who can not see the beauties of nature, nor hear the sweet notes of the song-birds. These blessings you enjoy; but do you appreciate them? Do you sympathize with those who are deprived of them? If you do, then co-operate with us in sending the message to them. There are about one hundred and thirty persons in this country who are deaf, dumb, and blind; but many of them can read with their fingers. In the Christian Record we have just what they need. God wants us to be eyes and ears to these unfortunate beings, by carrying the gospel to them. There never was a time in the history of the world when the opportunity was more favorable to sound the last-day message than at the present time. Therefore let us hasten to those who are starving for the gospel.

We have copies of the Christian Record in ink type. Those wishing to read it will please drop us a card, and we will gladly mail them a copy. The paper for the blind is full of the message for to-day. Each issue tells of the soon coming of the King. Subscription price, two dollars per year. It is set in American braille and in New York point.

The management of the Christian Record has been transferred from Washington, D. C., to the Central Union Conference, College View, Neb. Please send all donations and subscriptions to the secretary, Miss Katie Coleman, College View, Neb., and all funds will be turned over to the treasurer, J. Sutherland.