Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-04-28 00:00:00

THE REPORT

Upon the occasion of this first public meeting of the Society for
the Home Teaching of the Indigent Blind of Liverpool, the com-
mittee are desirous of giving, not only a report of the results of
their labours during the past year, but also, briefly, some of the
reasonssociety into existence.
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Towards the ose of 1856,h
the operations of the central society in
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committee, and the great need of the blind pressed upon their
attention.
From the census of 1651 it appeared there were 29,000 of this
afflicted class in the United Kingdom, and that half of them 'are
above fifty years of age. Of these it is believed only 2,000 could
read. The remaining multitude, scattered over the length and
breadth of our land, from their darkness and exclusion, cry loudly
for help and consolation. •
It has been also calculated that all the schools for the blind in the
kingdom are supposed not to contain above 1,300. It is therefore
manifestly impossible they could ever be multiplied to receive all
that are left; and even if they could, there are numbers, from
various causes, who could not avail themselves of the benefits
offered. The only plan, therefore, whereby the masses can be
reached is to visit them in their own abodes, teaching them there
to read, supplying them with Scriptures in embossed type, and so
place within their individual grasp the one great source of comfort which God's word can alone supply.
There was little doubt that Liverpool, with its large population of
450,000 inhabitants, contained its full share of these hitherto much
neglected, suffering people.
Great difficulties presented themselves, but inquiries were made,
and speedily a long list of names and addresses were produced, and
an attempt for their relief resolved upon. A few books were pro-
cured, and a suitable teacher engaged. Moon's system of embossed
type was adopted, from a deep conviction that it is the most easily
acquired, as well as the most permanent, and comprises also the
greatest variety of books.
The fact of there being a larger number sold by the British and
Foreign Bible Society in one year, on that system, than of all the
other systems put together, proves it to be the most acceptable to
the blind themselves. A suitable teacher, himself blind, was engaged,
the town divided into districts for visitation on certain fixed days,
by which arrangement wherever a blind person lived there the
teacher went, and in this manner, during the two years the society
has been in operation, 300 blind have been visited, 150 of whom
have been under instruction for a longer or shorter time; 95 are
still on the books, and receive weekly, fortnightly, or monthly
visits, as required ; four are about 70, nine from GO to 70, and eight
under ten years ; these latter were truly dark little creatures in
every sense, but through this society are now taught to know and
love the Son of Righteousness, Who has indeed risen upon them
with healing in His wings.
The majority are most thankful for the instruction given, and,
directly their progress is sufficient, thankfully avail themselves of
the bountiful supply of books so liberally provided for them at the
solicitation of this society by the committee of the Free Public
Library, opened now at the north, as it was last year for their
benefit at the south, end of the town. During the past year 569
volumes have been in circulation amongst 35 readers.
renew th
The comeir thanks for the great assistance rendered by above
institution to the blind of Liverpool, and especially upon this
occasion for the increased accommodation arising from opening
the new library in Great Nelson-street.
It is much to be hoped their good example will be followed in
all the large towns where a similar work is carried on. A supply
of books is nevertheless requisite for this society to maintain, for
the purpose of elementary instruction and early practice ; this,
from their frequent requisite renewal, forms an important item in
the year's expenditure.
It is gratifying to know that many other good fruits have re-
sulted from the society's work, besides its primary object ; thus
adding fresh testimony that the Word of God is indeed powerful.
No sooner in many instances have these afflicted people felt its
bleSsed influence, than hope and energy have revived within them.
The thought of being cared for is quite new, and the possibility in
their turn of being useful to others as well as to themselves ani-
mates them to great and well-sustained efforts.
Several cases are mentioned of blind persons being taught to
read through the agency of the institution, and the pleasure and
gratification they received on being enabled to read the Word of
God

With regard to the important work in which the institution is
engaged, the committee express their anxious desire to extend it
much beyond its present limits. Want of funds alone prevents
their employing other teachers in the surrounding districts ;
besides which, they would greatly rejoice could they assist their
pupils from a separate fund in carrying on their various trades, by
snpplying them with materials at more reasonable prices than,
for want of capital, they can procure for themselves, and thus
help them out of the sad poverty which unwillingly drives many to
a life of vagrancy.
In conclusion, the committee commend their society to the atten-
tion of the benevolent public, feeling assured its objects need only
be known to ensure the support so much required, and earnestly re-
quested. _

- They wish also to return the thanks of the pupils to the lady who
so liberally provided the tea party for them, as well as to the various
friends who have kindly bestowed articles of clothing, which have
proved most useful to many amongst them.
The first teacher being linable to remain with the society, the
committee engaged a female, also blind, to take his place, who seems
eminently qualified for her occupation; her success has so far been
highly encouraging, and the untiring energy with which she has
carried on her labours fully proves the interest she takes in her work.
Subscriptions will be thankfully received by any member of the
committee, by Mr. Rose, at the Bible Depository, where a selection
of Moon's books may be seen, or may be paid into the Commercial
Bank of Liverpool.

The names aiid addresses of any blind persons wishing to be
taught to read may be sent to Mr. Rose, Slater-street, who will send
the teacher to their houses.
Mr. John Cropper moved, as a resolution, that the report
be accepted and printed. Very much was done by the
society with very little means. Great care and labour was
bestowed upon the society. The financial statememt, of the
society showed that efforts must be made to keep the society
in efficient working order.
Mr. Steains seconded the resolution. The work com-
mended itself to their deepest sympathy. Blindness was a
most serious calamity, and it became them, by every means,
to mitigate its evils. The committee was aided by the
Free Lending Library of this town. He felt that in
extending assistance to the blind, they were simply doing
their duty. Mr. Steains then read a variety of extracts
from the report of Mr. Rolston, the superintendent of the
library, showing the value of the distribution of the books
for the instruction of the blind upon Moon's system, which
is now generally adopted. The speaker urged the fairness
of every class having a fair share in the distribution of the
funds of the public institutions. He concluded by seconding
the resolution.
'The resolution was unanimously carried.
One of the pupils, a little girl, then read the 15th chapter
of St. John, from the embossed type, and she also sang a
child's ditty in a very touching style.
Abraham Booth, a young man, read the 14th chapter of
Exodus.
Richard Moore read a portion of the 32nd chapter of
Deuteronomy.
John M'Loughlin read a passage on the plants, climate,
&c., of England.
The hymn, "Come let ns join our cheerfel songs," was
then sung, and a collection was made.
The Rev. Dr. Al‘Neile moved a resolution, testifying to
the valise of the society, and calling upon the inhabitants of
this town to support the movement liberally. The resolution,
he said, would require no elaborate commendation ; it com-
mended itself to the cordial support of the meeting. He
knew not. what others had felt, but he himself had felt
strongly that out of the mouths of babes and sucklings God
had perfected praise. What they had heard in the report and
in the speeches was calculated to teach them valuable les-
sons. One of the speakers had dropped the expression, "poor
human nature." Human nature, indeed, was poor in its
best estate, and in reference to the moral law of God, human
nature was equally poor, for the great Apostle to the Gen-
tiles had said that there was no difference : all had sinned.
Bat, speaking relatively with reference to the creatures
themselves, there were steps of gradation in the fall. It
was true that intellectually there were men of gigantic
intellect, and there was long gradation downwards. And
so it was in morality; there was a long chain from the
highest to the lowest; and as it was intellectually and mo-
rally, so it was physically. He imagined a company of
angels contemplating fallen man, and the compassion they
would feel for him. They saw man, and they were sure
there was some disaster then. The angels were right;
man had met with a disaster. He imagined those angels
' - oe.in;,-r, a Christian amongst men, and aiming at what
,ight. The effort was a poor one certainly, but still
was an effort; and the man would be said to be lisping
ae truth, and partly using his faculties. He could again
.magine themselves as looking upon men as having only four
senses, and they would say of them " Poor creatures, they
were a step below themselves." He.could imagine a society
like that stepping in, and doing something for these poor crea-
tures. It was a feeble attempt, but there was something in it.
They had heard the result of such an effort, and had
seen the creatures with four senses approaching
them with five. Here was the exercise of compassion.
He called upon them to help in the work. If they
could find a suitable teacher to help the one already em-
ployed, or if they could find another hundred pupils, he
counselled them to go about it to enable the blind to with-
draw from their dark and solitary confinement, and instead
of eyes to teach them sight by their fingers. The society
deserved the support of the inhabitant, of this town. A
great disaster had'fallen upon the world. Creatures higher
than themseles saw them as they saw the blind, and it was
for them to partake of the condecension of God ; not to
mind high things; but to condescend to men of low estate.
Let them pray for the blind, that God would give what no
human teacher could confer, namely, that he would give,
effect to their teaching, by the blessed influence of the spirit
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Ou the motion of the T. Moore, seconded by the
Rev. M. Harke, a vote of
thanks was given to the chair-
man, and the meetinn. separated.