The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-02
THEIR BLIND PASTOR.
The Good Done by tho Rev. Eruest Gutweiler
and the Addiction That Came On Him.

The Good Done by the Rev. Ernest GutweiIer
and the Amiction That Came On Him.
The work which the Rev. Ernest Gutweiler
has done since he has been pastor of the little
Reformed Church at Hicksville and the afllic-
ton which has come upon him lift his story out
of the ordinary. Hicksville. out on Long Island,
has always been more German than American
in character. Its chief ind ustry is gold beating,
and in the season many villagers work in the
two big pickle factories. The place received a
serious setback from the reduction of the duty
on gold leaf in 1894, but tho chief industry is
reviving again under the present tariff.
When the present pastor of the Reformed
Church was called the congregation numbered
less than a score, and was worshipping in a lit
tie square box of n meeting house that barely
accommodated even that small number. Tho
new pastor moved into a low white house on tho
edge of the village. and soon fell into the busy
habits that have characterized his life ever
since. His youth had been spent in this city.
He was q graduate of tho public schools. the
College of the City of New York, and tho
Theological Seminary at New Brunswick.
After ordination he had gone to the
Adams Street Church in Long Island City,
where he had remained from 1877 to 1885; but
at Hicksville he quickly adapted himself to his
new rural environment. He made a specially
of the culture of small fruits. and was the first
to demonstrate the fact that the soil and climate
about Hicksville were well fitted for raising
currants. hard. shelled almonds, and similar
fruits. lie planted fruit and shade trees about
his home, and surrounded his property with an
arbor vitae hedge. His example was followed
with profit by many OF his neighhors.
He Is a man of small stature and genial pres.
ence. and his bright and kindly eyes give one no
ular with the villagers. who love TO see his sym.
pathetic smile and hear his encouraging words.
Under his guidance q ely have advanced and de.
agitated building the new school which has
Just been completed at a cost of $4,000 and
his suggestions and example.
The pathetic feature Of this mans life story
come upon him. While this afiiIction ihna been
developing he has maintained his cheerfulness,
continued his pastoral visits while the features
of those no comfOrted and encouraged grew
dim, and kept up his gardening while the sun.
light and the beauties Of nature have faded in
The trouble was well advanced when he first
came to Hicksville and he had already learned
ried on this study in secret, and no thinks. oven
now, that his parlshioners do not know that no
cannot see the big type Of his Bible or their own
knowledge as he stands in his pulpit and rccites
TO them from memory the Scripture passages of
the day while his unseeing eyes follow the
lines before him, or as he greets his friends
who nm he I has recognized g . gRa sdoI ~ the ae s ,bo Go Of their i%dr
has grasped his. This abetting OF his attempted
concealment is an evidence of tho love felt for
him by all who know him.
The Reformed Church has grown greatly
under his charge, and a new building became
necessary several years ago. The $40, 900 to
build it was raised almost entirely by the per-
sonal efforts of the blind minister, much Of 1t in
the they village. some son h IN iR people sSpnd OF me es neigh nSE Dor boz
Tho cornerstone was laid in December. 1890.
and the building was finished in March. 1892.
A memorial tower with a bell Is to be added
soon. The parish now has a membership of
seventy families, most of them OF the younger
generation. and it is In excellent condition in
every way,