The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-10-27
BLIND POETS.

One Of the most interesting and in
structive pages of human history re-
cords the achievements of those per
sons who. under great disadvantages,
arising from obscure origin, bad educa-
ton or defective bodily organization,
have attained TO honorable and lasting
distinction. Among these, the blind
poets hold prominent place. Some OF
the sweetest and most inspiring notes
that ever saluted mortal ears have fall
en- from the lips of men and women
whose condition Milton so touchingly
depicts in describing his own:
e. From the cheerful ways of man
Cut of. and for the book Of knowledge fair,
Presented with a universal blank
OF natures work to me expunged and raised
Ii was tradition of Greece that the
"Iliad and Odyssey" were composed
bv Homer after he became blind, but
wrought. of course, from material pre-
viously collected. When Milton wrote
paradise Lost he was quite blind.
having lost his sight while preparing
his famous Defense Of the People OF
England TheScotch poet, commonly
known as blind Harry, " and the tia
liam poet, Scapnelli, were both blind
from their birth.
The Christian Church is indebted to
the genius of blind bards for some of
the sweetest songs of the sanctuary.
Rev. Thomas Blackjack, ID. D., who
was born in Scotland of English pa
rents in 1921, and who died in 1871.
lost his sight when an infant. He
wrote one of the finest hymns in any
language. One that has done good ser
vice for hundred and thirty-fve years.
and will doubtless live IN the hymnolo-
qv of the Church of God until Jesus
comes. 1t is No. II in the new collec-
ton of the Southern Methodist Church,
and begins:
Come. my soul. in sacred lays.
Attempt 10y Bitut titdtOi Hi"rN'
Rev. w. w. Walford, an English
blind preacher, sitting in profound
darkness, composed that beautiful and
and soul-inspiring hymn.
"Sweet hour Of prayer. sweet hour OF prayer,
Thst calls me from world Il care,
which has been before the public for
now forty years.
There is one-an American-blind
from the cradle, than whom no other
has wrought more or better in the field
of sacred poetry. Fanny j. Crosby,
who became Mrs. Van Alstine, but still
commonly known as Fanny Crosby,
ia the author of several thousand hymns
and other poems. The following IL
our New Hymn-book are from her pen
$40, Say, where is thy refuge my
brothey?n Pass me not, o gentle
Saviour $50, Blessed assurance, jesus
il mine:' sec, Jesus, keep me near the
CROSS S72, Thou my everlasting por
tion:r S73, Il am thine, O Lord; have
heard thy voice. S7S, Saviour, more
than life to me-. She is represented az
having a wonderful faculty for I'M
nromptu composition. Most OF hel
pieces have flowed out of her soul
ike sparkling water from foun
tain The familiar hymn, "Safe
in the arms Of Jesus. - is said to have
been written in few minutes. 1t IL
related that one day her friend, How
ard Doane, the musical composer came
10 her. and said: Fanny, want YOU t
write "a hymn on Safe in the arms O
Jesus. and in twenty minutes-because
as She said, her heart was IN it-sh'
gave to the world that touching anc
popular hymn. When 1t was sung 10
the first time in Sturgeon S Tabernacle
the great preacher, with streaming
ewes, cried out That Is good; let u
have il over again.
1t is said the hymns, There is a gen
tie voice within, calls away. and
Jesus, keep me near the cross wer
composed under circumstances simila
TO the foregoing. This great American
HYMN. writer was born in 1925 IN tn
State of New York, Is a Methodist, ant
is still engaged in literary work IN New
York city.-P. A. Il.
THE CONSTANT HEART is TIL