Schooling for the Unfortunate by C. C. Lewis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 14, 1909

Schooling for the Unfortunate

By C. C. Lewis

THE following case probably is representative of a large number of young people similarly situated:— A girl now thirteen years old was born blind. Her mother has been dead some years, and her father is opposed to the work of the Adventists. The girl has attended a State school for the blind. Before going to this school, she began to keep the Sabbath, and wanted to be a missionary, playing and singing the gospel songs. She was recently baptized, and united with the church. She has a desire to copy “Early Writings” and “Steps to Christ” in the braille writing for the blind, in order that other blind persons may read it. Her friends fear to have her return to the State school because of influences there not favorable to the training of workers for this message. What can be done for the education of quite a large number of cases of young people similarly situated?

At College View we are favorably situated

for carrying on education for the blind. Connected with the office of the Christian Record are six or more blind persons who have been well educated, and are able to teach the two leading systems for the blind. They believe, however, from their own experience, that the best way to educate the blind is to have them enter the regular classes with seeing pupils, listen carefully to the recitations, and take notes for reference in the point language. This system our blind workers here will teach them if they do not already understand it. The rest of their education will be obtained in the regular school. Students will be ready to assist such pupils by reading and studying the lessons with them. This is the way Brother Miller, the editor of the Christian Record, obtained his education at Healdsburg College, and he believes this is the best way to educate the blind. The director of our music department, Prof. C. N. Roberts, is also a blind man. He was formerly editor of the Christian Record.

There is another class of unfortunate people in whom we are greatly interested—the deaf mutes. A little work has already been done for them. About eight or nine years ago Sister Katherine Kroeker became interested in this class of people, and learned the sign language. She has studied and taught this a long time under great discouragements, until she has become quite efficient. She is now studying the latest method of teaching the dumb to speak, and to read the lips of those who speak to them. She has persevered in this work from her love for the unfortunate, and her desire to do them good. The past two years she has had a few pupils. One young man, brought up in a Sabbath-keeping family, spent three months with her, and went back to his home, rented a farm for himself, and is faithfully keeping the Sabbath, having gained an experience which he did not have before. Another young man, who already had a good experience, spent last year in school. She took him to the various classes, and interpreted the recitations to him by means of the sign language. He worked in our broom shop last year. A little boy, who made great improvement in conduct as well as in knowledge, was also under her care. Probably these represent the wants of many similar cases in the denomination.

We are able at Union College to conduct work for both the deaf mutes and the blind by the methods already described. The greatest difficulty will probably be that many of these are not able to meet their expenses, which will be about fifteen or sixteen dollars a month, the same as for other students. In some instances the friends of these students are able to meet the expenses. In other instances we hope there will be philanthropic people who will be willing to meet the expenses for them. We shall be glad to correspond with any who have such young people as we have described under their charge. Please write me their conditions and circumstances as fully as possible, stating whether you are able to meet their expenses, and if not, how much you will be able to pay. Give me also the addresses of benevolent persons who might be willing to assist in meeting their expenses. Please address, as soon as possible, C. C. Lewis, President Union College, College View, Neb.

C. C. LEWIS.