Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-05
BLIND CHAPLAlNS.
Men Who Have Led Legislative DevO-
tions. the Rcvs. W. II. MiIburn and
il. \. Coudcn mt National Capt.
tai and VI. W. Farman
i'm Vermont.

There are thanks to modern methods
of education. many blind men occupying
posts of usefulness in this country to-day,
even to filling the pulpit; but there are
only three blind men who have risen TO
the honor Of the chaplaincy of houses of
Congress or Of State Senate. one of
these, Dr. William Henry Milburn. was
Il chaplain in the United States Congress
80 years. serving oft and on" from 1915
up to 1907 says the Boston Herald
Mr. Milburn familiarly known all over
the United States as the Blind man elo-
quent,' was born in Philadelphia Septem-
Der 70 Isl. lie lost one eye III early
life but determined that this depriva-
tion, although the remaining eye was
partially blinded also, should not Grip
pie him for life. He set about obtaining
q thorough education therefore, to lit
himself for the duties OF life in spite of
his serious handicap and his career
furnishes remarkable example OF the
power OF strong will to overcome the
most serious obstacles.
Time was said he away back in 1895,
when could read after a fashion, but
never with that flashing glance which in
stantly trasfers "A word. a line. a sentence.
from the printed page to the mind. 1t was
perpetuation of the chld's process, a
letter at a time, always spelling. never
reading truly. Thus, for more than 20
years, with the shade upon the brow, the
hand upon the cheek, the finger beneath
the eye Ito make an artificial pupil, with
the beaded sweat joining with the hot
tears trickling from the weak and painful
organ was my reading done"
BY way of eXertions, however study
ing at leisure moments while employed as
clerk in store in Illinois, he htted for
college and left with honors. although at
the cost of his health lie entered the
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. and in the course of A l. years
itinerdCy occupied pulpits IN almost every
part of the Union. during which time he
Travelled over 10000 miles in the discharge
of his ministerial duties, and everywhere
impressed his hearers with the modesty
and availability of his character and his
great elOQuenCe.
In lois he was first chosen cha plain of
the United States House of Representa-
tiVcs when he was but - years of age.
Again in 1853 80 he had another appoint
ment to that post lie was. of course
brought into intimate relations with the
most eminent public men Of the country.
In 1891 he went abroad for a year or
two, delivering lectures ana prea ching in
many towns over there, and making quite
an impression as the blind chaplain from
America In lS55 he was again chosen
chosen chaplain of the House of Repre-
sentatives, serving through four Con-
crosses. and finally in 1898 being promoted
to the same position in the United States
Senate, which post he kept until his deaf
IN the spring OF 1902.
DR.. Milburn wrote several successful
books, Rifle, Axe and Saddebags." hav-
ing a large sale in 1878. Among his 9TH
er books were Ten Years of Preacher
Life" pioneers and People of the Missis-
suppl Valley" Lance, Cross and Canoe, '
the "I'latboat. Rifle and Plough
lie entered the Capitol at Washington