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The Blind Waiting

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 3, 1904

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 9.

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The Blind Waiting

By L. N. Muck

Dear Brethren and Sisters: Again we appeal to you in behalf of those in double darkness,—in behalf of the blind,—in behalf of those who are depending on us for spiritual food. The brethren throughout the great harvest field are being constantly called upon for funds with which to carry forward the work which must necessarily be finished in this generation. We rejoice to learn that new fields are being entered, and that the Lord is sustaining the work, and supplying the needed means, and ready men and women to send the gospel to those in darkness. We are, I fear, overlooking our nearest neighbors, forgetting that the blind have not heard the precious truths of the third angel’s message. “Let the gospel message ring through all our churches, summoning them to quick action.” As a special command to the people of God, I would say, Let the gospel message ring throughout our churches, summoning them to assist in supplying the blind with the gospel. Let the Christian be up and doing, for there is much to be done. There are heathen at our very door, yes, millions perishing without Jesus. Then why should we not sound the gospel trumpet louder than ever? Why should we not herald the last-day message to a dying race? Can we keep silent when so many are traveling down the broad way to despair?—O, no! But let us tell the story of Christ to the blind in this country, and to the thousands across the water. “Moving day” is just before us. Do you realize it? or are you fearlessly and carelessly living from day to day without sensing the times in which we are living?
When the gospel shall have been preached to all the world as a witness to all nations, then shall the end come. But at this very time we shall leave this dwelling-place, and move over into our new home. Are you going there alone, or are you inviting your neighbors and friends to go with you? There are thousands of anxious ones who would go through with us to the city of God, but they know nothing of this “moving day.” My heart aches for the blind everywhere, and especially for those who are among us. They are starving for the gospel. We can remedy their condition by causing their spiritual eyes to be opened by speaking peace to their troubled souls, by telling them that Jesus is soon coming to this world of sin and sorrow to open their physical eyes and to give them perfect vision.
If God thinks of one class more than he does of another, it seems to me the blind occupies the first place in his mind. If this be true, why neglect the blind? Why should we not speedily go to them, isolated as they are, without even a religious paper? But we are publishing a paper for this very class of people, and will you not help to place it in their hands, by sending us a donation or a subscription? I know that God will abundantly bless you in doing so. I know by experience that you will bring peace and happiness to hundreds, yes, thousands. There are thousands of blind in this country, but their numbers are few when compared with those in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Australia. We can, with the co-operation of God’s people, send our literature to all the blind in these English-speaking countries. Shall we do it? or shall we turn them away in despair? Here is “an open door” that challenges God’s people to the field. The needs of the blind are stirring our very souls. Their condition is alarming. God bids us to enter these open doors, and to send the third angel’s message to the blind. If the brethren and sisters do not hear our call, and aid in this worthy enterprise, we shall have to turn away hundreds of hungry souls, perishing for lack of spiritual food.
We thank God that we can report that we are strong in the Lord, and that many of our blind friends are being converted to God. We have at the present time three Catholic readers on our list; and although the Catholics are publishing a paper for the blind, we quote the following from a communication recently received from one of our Catholic readers: “The Christian Record certainly stands foremost among all the magazines printed for the blind in this country or England.” Such a testimony coming from a Catholic encourages us.
The blind are ready and waiting to hear the message, and we must go to them in this generation. More than four years ago the work for the blind was started in this country, and but little has been done by our seeing friends to establish the work or to place our literature in the hands of those who are perishing for the need of it. We urge you at this time to carefully and prayerfully consider the cause of the blind, and respond to our call. No efforts are being spared to supply those who see with literature. Men and means are furnished to go to the heathen, but at the present time we have three engaged in the work for the blind, and thousands of souls to be warned. We are sure that the brethren throughout the field, when they realize the great needs of the blind, and their condition, will gladly support us in this noble enterprise.
Our literature is printed in two systems, the American Braille and the New York Point. Send all donations to the Treasurer of the General Conference, 222 N. Capitol St., Washington, D. C., and all subscriptions to the office of the Christian Record, 267 West Main St., Battle Creek, Mich. The price of the paper is two dollars a year.
L. N. Muck, Editor.