The Greenville times., 1897-02-06
THE BLIND CHAPLAIN.
Rev. William Fl. Milburn Has en-
Interesting History.
How He Came to lie Elected Chaplain Of
the House of Representatives Flfty
Years Ago His Promo
tion In 1893.
IsnccIal WaghIngton LoIter.l

lSleclul w washington lelleFl
"A prayer by the blind chaplain does
me more good than a Sermon" says
Senator Davis, of Minnesota.
although dilatory about reaching
the capitol at noon for many years,
| says Senator sherman, Il have actually
observed and heard that some senators
make an effort 10 get 10 the capitol at
noon In order to hear the opening
prayer"
As a usual thing statesmen care little
for the prayers that are daily said in
/ the senate and house of representatives,
| uud few of them care whether they are
on time each day or not, Usually not
more than so representatives are pres
eGt when the house is called to order,
and II seldom happens that more than
! ten or twelve senator's are present when
the vice president assumes the gavel
Rev. William Henry AIlburn, chap
lain of the senate, is now 70 years Old
although he does not yet begin TO look
like an old man. He is strong, vigorous
and bids fair to remain with us for
many years to come doing good, 1t has
been so years since he first came TO
Washington to assume the position of
chaplain, but he has not served contlnu-
opsly in that capacity. He was only %
years of age when he was elected chap
lain of the house of representatives in
1915. No other man so young has ever
been selected for such position in any
country.
When young Mr.. AGilburn was elected
chaplain of the house of representa-
tiyes 80 years ago he knew no polt-
clans, and had no aspirations for po-
litical preferment or political associa-
tions. lie was a blind young man and
had just been ordained to the ministry.
He was travelling upon philanthropic
aission when an incident occurred
which changed the entire course of his
life.
lie attended the Illinois Methodist
conference at Springfield in 1s45, and
that conference decided that a female
seminary should be established at
Springfield. The people of the west bad
no money, and 1t was customary for
western conferences to appeal for aid
from eastern churches. Finally the
Methodists established what is known
rs the Church Extension society for the
purpose of extending aid systematic
ally to western circuits. At that time,
however, the society was merely in
formative state, and the illinois confer
ence selected young Mr.. Milburn to
travel and solicit aid for the proposed
female seminary. Accompanied by a
friend to guide him and take care of
Lin, Mr. MiIburn started on MIS- mis-
sion. He first went to Cincinnati and
preached there for three weeks without
receiving any financial recognition, so
he concluded to shake the dust OF Gin
ciunati from his feet and go further
cast.
On Friday morning he took the Ohio
river steamboat for Wheeling expect
iug to reach the Virginia town on Sat
Urday night In those days nearly all
travelling was done by steamboat and
stage, for railroads were few and far
between. That Ohio river steamboat
was delayed, as all river steamboats,
were in those days, and on Sunday
morning the boat was stilI so miles
f. ON Wheeling The passengers had an
informal meeting and asked Mr.. Mil
burn to preach to them in the cabin of
the boat. He consented, and that SER
mon changed the course of his life.
While walking about the boat on
friday and Saturday, the young
preacher had heard a great deal of pro-
1snity. He also learned that the passen- /
gers were playing cards and drinking
= great deal of whisky. He further as
certained that the most hilarious Of
them all were some western congress
men. who were Oh their way TO Wash
ington to attend the coming session of !
congress. There were nearly 300 pas
sengers on the boat, and at 10:30 o'clock /.