Deaf and Blind by Joseph Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 10, 1875

Deaf and Blind.

By Joseph Clarke

“Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.” Isa. 42: 20. This language was applied by the prophet to Christ. In his daily intercourse with mankind, during his sojourn upon the earth, he did not seek to defend himself from every lisp of slander, but endured the contradiction of sinners against himself (Heb. 12: 3), and went on doing one good deed after another, just as the sun proceeds on in its daily course, leaving only a track of light, as the best reply to such as through envy and ill-will sought to destroy him.

Deaf and blind—yes, deaf to the hiss of envy, blind to the grimaces of demons and fools, and walking grandly forward in the humble but useful path of daily duty. He healed the sick, restored the blind, the deaf, and the lame, and was deaf only to the wicked who daily harassed his soul with their sour questions and dark hints. Daily he looked about for something to do for the unfortunate—blind only to the religious detectives who sought to turn his good into evil, and, in the most pious manner, to injure his influence with the people.

Deaf and blind; but never so to the poor and the needy. Never deaf or blind to the call of duty! Ah! how noble was this personage! He brought this kingly trait from Heaven! He did not find it here, and he set us a bright example which he wishes us strictly to follow.

JOSEPH CLARKE.