The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-04-21

WILLIAM HENRY HILBURN, CHAPLAIN TO THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, WHOSE PRAYERS
CREATE A LEADING SENSATION At WASHING
TON.
The reverend gentleman, Dr.. Milburn, who
leads the devotions of the House of Repre-
sentatiyes, recently made prayer, reported
in the Congressional Record with the legisla-
tive proceedings of the day, which embodied
a statement, as the Chaplain himself puts it,
of ''the evils existing in our times" One of
the members of the House having character
lied Mr.. Milburn's prayer as "incendiary
speech" he replied that ne is more conserva-
tive than incendiary, and that he has no de-
sire to get up and make speeches before Con-
gress. He believes himself justified sin petit
tioning the Almighty for the removal of
the abuses and sins mentioned in his prayer.
William Henry Milburn, popularity known
as "the blind man eloquent" was born in
Philadelphia, September %, 1923. He was
five years old when he lost the sight of one
eye, and partially of the other. Notwith-
standing the deprivation under which he
suffered he applied himself to study to OBJ
toin thorough education. While employed
in store in Illinois he fitted himself for
college. He graduated after four years
course, and at twenty entered the ministry
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Every
where, in an itinerancy of vast extent, con-
tinued for twelve years, the young divine
commanded admiration by his ability and
eioquence, and love by the sweetness OF his
character.
When Mr.. Milburn was twenty-five years
of age he was chosen Chaplain to the Con-
gress of the United States. The story is told
that, as he was travelling on a Mississippi
steamer with number of Congressman on
their way to Washington as fellow-passen-
gers, he so favorably impressed them that
they then and there decided to procure his
appointment as Chaplain. Arrived at Wash
ington they energetically followed up their
intention and succeeded in carrying 1t out.
Hence the honor of the Congressional Chap
laincy was conferred on a minister scarcely
more than youth in years. In 1853 90 Mr..
Milburn was again made Chaplain to Con-
gress and the third time at the opening of
the Forty -ninth Congress.
He left the ministry of the Methodist de-
nomination for time, and served as a
clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal
Church. Four or five years ago he returned
to the body in which he had been educated,
and is the second time numbered among the
Methodist clergy.
The Doctor is of tall, commanding pres
ence. Broad chested and inclined to stout
ness, he is the picture of health. A full, I'M
trimmed gray beard floats way down his
vest, while his black hair, streaked
with silver, is brushed back from
his his high forehead and hangs in
busby luxuriance from the collar of his
clerical coat. His strongly marked features
bear kindly expression, and are every now
and then lit up by a pleasant smile. While
talking he fixes his eyes upon the person
whom he is addressing, and the sightless orbs
appear to look straight into the soul OF his
listener. He is a most entertaining talker,
and one of his favorite hobbies is the subject
of health and its promotion. He positively
eschews all hog meats, and treats
himself to regular course OF
curry-comb and rough towel. cold water,
oil and sun baths every morning. His health
is as robust as that of most men of thirty.
Forty-three years ago he was told by eminent
doctors that he would be dead within six
months; since that time he has travelled, by
actual computation, 500 600 miles to preach
and lecture. intellectually he is q highly
gifted man, and his eloquence is of the high
est order. 1t Is said that he can
give more accurate descriptions of
Westminster Abbey, Cologne Cathedral,
Notre Dame and the other Old
World monun ents he has visited than can
the majority of those persons who have not
been dependent on other peoples eyes and
on their sense of touch that ne can describe
the rocky outlines and mountainous declivi-
ties of the Sierras and of the Rocky Noun
tains, and the picturesque beauties of the
Blue Ridge with force and vigor combined
with accuracy rarely equalled, even by
writers who still retain their sight. Mr.. Mil
| burn has been successful as an author.