Smyrna times., 1877-03-21
Milburn, the Blind Preacher.


A correspondent of the New York OJa,r
Ger says:
\ letter which have just received from
my friend, Rev. William II. Miburn, the
blind preacher eloquent, as he is often and
tittingly called, will interest YOU, and will
copy a part of it. He is now travelling in
Great Britain and Ireland, delivering those
lectures that have been 50 popular in this
country. He Is a very remarkable man.
His story is familiar: how he lost his eve.
sight when young man: surmOunted ex-
traordlnary difficulties to acquire education
became minister OF the gospel: was cleo
ted Chaplain to Congress: was renowned
Tor his eioquenct as a public speaker :
wrote several books that have been widely
read and finding that his infirmity Of
blindness was fatal to his usefulness in pas-
toral work, he went to Berlin and sub
mitted to the most formidable surgical
treatment in the hope of being restored to
the enjoyment of that lost blessing: how
his fondest hope went out in more hopeless
darkness, and how he has now devoted
himself to itinerant preaching and lectur-
ing, going from city to city, from land to
land. everywhere received with kindness,
and listened to with delight. Thus he
6rghtens the world for others. while it is
all dark for him
| asked him once if it made any differ.
ence to him whether he was surrounded
with objects of beauty OF not, and he said
that lie was as much gratfed with beauti
tul objects as | could be. 1t is not impossi.
bic that. when one sense fails, there is a
compensation in the rein ament of another.
so that, If there is a mind and heart to
ENJOY, the blind may have pleasures more
exquisite than any that come to US who
nave eyes At any rate, it is a great COM
lori TO believe so, and when my good friend
Dr. Parker, OF Hoboken, blind pastor
comes over to sec me, he seems to be one of
the happest OF cheerful people. Certainly
our enjoyment depends far more upon
what Is IN us, upon what we are, than on
the surroundings. But I was to give YOU
some passages Of a letter from Mr. Milburn.
1t Is pirate letter; certainly he never
thought Of it being sent to you; but there
are some things in it, so pleasant to be
read and known, and as no harm can be
done to any one by letting you have them,
Will risk his censure. He is abroad on a
Iecturing and preaching tour, and thus he
writes:
NY engagements to preach and lecture
IN all parts of the Kingdom, have averaged
six or seven week since last June, and
my mlnistrations have been in the pulpits
oi the Presbyterians and COngregationalists
as well as in those Of the Wesleyans, but of
course mostly in the last. Next week am
to 60 to Ireland for few weeks; and NV
engagements here already reach into the
summer | am everywhere, and by all
Classes, received with courtesy and
lreare1 with hospitality at once surprising
and delightful. From my experience,
travelling alone in my almost helpless con-
uitlcn, usually from three to five hundred
miles week, and dependant for comfort
mostly upon the railway officials and nv
Fellow passengers, | have no hesitation in
pronouncing the English to be the most
eonsderate, gentle and polite people |
nave ever known. In countless JOURNEYS
nave received but one act of incivilitv, and
That was the result of mistake The
moment it is known by my fellow-travellers
and the officials that / ain an American.
and blind, there is no limit to their delicate
attention and kindness. In fulfilling nv
manifold engagements, ] have rarely been
allowed to lodge at hotel, as charming
homes are opened, where sweet, un.
Affected and generous hospitality is dispen-
sed. | attn never asked, as fear STRANGERS
are On our side, 'What do you think of our
~ @'i HC l@iIsSi4Hil nave loo illuCtl
selt-Fespect to put such question; their
nearest spproach to it is the remark, q
nope you find yourself at home and happy
among u.s.
Inc weather this Winter has been almost
,mH;lt9olIerable; dark, wet, the sun rarely
n;It' ';;sioie' rain almost every day, and we'll
mlsh no frost The dampness both relaxes
Ini oenumbs you, and the best spirits will
teGome t"a: dismal. The speed Of their railway
S,. s".ns lncomparbly surpasses that of ours,
o;an Cui 10 the comfort of their carriages, espe.
~" U,any Tor the Winter, they are far behind
~. a tin of hot water on the floor for
@ .our ieet, Is their nearest approach to q
raa. ng apparatus; rugs must supply the
tS.o In coming to town the other day, by
tho Gnying Datchman,' from Plymouth, on
sne ureat Western line, we did the last
sserehty'seven se miles of the journey in
'''ehty-seven minutes, which isn't bad"
small bottle of Guinness porter can be
aI,chased anywhere in Great Britain or
nr;aa iaauu lor two pence. That is the retail
Piee, and the profit To the manufacturer