The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-03-19
Cincinnati's Blind Minister.

Few strangers who visit the great me-
tropOlis of Cincinnati. who admire liz
wongrous beauties and envy the hoarle-J
wealth within it, limits. ever hear Of the
name of Horace Bushnell. He is almost
unknown To h stream of hum anity that
comes and goes seemingly with the end
less How of the forest brook. The daily
papers do not herald him. and preachers'
meetings do not often enjoy the opportu-
nifty OF listening 70 the sound theology
built up In his half cenfuryo Of thought and
rejection. BuJ among the poor. in the
hospitals. in the low tencment-h0uses. his
name l. "A word of cheer and frequently
fingers last on the lips of the dying. For
f~orty-three years Mr.. Bushnell LAS been
the Cincinnati missionary. entering into
the great philanthropic work from choice.
viii a heart alive 10 every appeal from
suffering humanity. He was then In the
prime OF life. and the good he has done in
The years Of toll does not point its finger
10 him and call upon men for honor. bur
remains unseen. though not unrecorded.
His life Is certainly a rich legacy. And
now he's an old man. past seventy. but a.
young in hart and feeling as when his
enthusiastic soul first look W the cause.
For many Years he has been totally
blind, vet 30 accustomed has he become
~ III unity ltAAll~ tutt he uf- pursued
his tasks without a guide through a SEEM
ing wilderness Of streets. You might see
lain getting of of street cars. turning
squares, and not know that his eyes We're
sightless- though his soul saw with the
clearness OF the inspired
IL seems almost Impossible OF belief that
this good old man could even Vet. with
additional infirmities, still BE engaged in
this work; but il is true. As an example
Ct the purest self ~abnegatlOn. against
" mich wealth and honor have no power.
the life of Horace Bushnell l. full Offrag-
rance. From his last report, Just pub
lished. we take a choice extract. which
embodies not cold opinions, but daily
practiced convictions:
1.-THE poor We have always with yOu.'
These, with 10000 more. the victims OF
vice. are in need of a gospel. and real acts
Of charity are To them the best sermon
\ word OF cheer. a tear Of sympathy. a
look Of love and piece of bread. confuse
the infideliiy OF the head. and the poor
hc5rt acknowledges that there j. "A God Of
love. We have commOdiOus churches. 4
learned ministry. various Christian asso-
cations and a generous public "a eminent;
but. j. the gospel preached to the poor.
Not ia churches. for the poor are not
there. A large majority of the people are
strangers IN the house Of Cod"
Philanthropy and the church never had
a more untiring worker. Daily this blind
follows his illustrations. giving
material aid and comfort. as We'll as spirit
ual food. 70 those beyond the pale Of all
other influences. Boston has such man,
but aside from these two instances we
know OF no minister Of ability abandoning
in early life the certainty Of a fashionable
pulpit for a life of need and saci lice. And
minister j. considered As a father in
theology by the clergy. and his knowi-
Of the Bible is such that he can re-
peat. even in his old age, the whole Of the
Testament by heart. We'll may lie
Like n blind spinner in the sun.
tread my days.
know that all the threads will run
Appointed ways;
snow each day viii bring it, task,
And, being blind. no more ! ask"
-EraHsritis Ind COtvle-.