Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-10-22

ceive color. The most successful among
the blind not only make use of their
own perceptive faculties, but they learn
to see through the eyes of others.
Educators among the blind insist
that blindness should not debar any
one from being q productive member Of
society, and they have been quick to
recognize that il this cannot be ac-
eomplished by their hands 1t must be
lone by their brains. That teaching
is the best which develops the in
d%ividuality, which is the most precious
possession of the child. Along this
line the teachers of the blind in this
country are progressive.
Education a Bar to Kindness.
As the majority of blindness is found
in places of ignorance and vice, the
value of the kindergarten, Swedish
gymnastics and manual training in
this plan OF education can hardly be
over-estimated and the New Jersey
Commission for the Blind, which has
been IN existence hardly a year, has
secured to blind babies and children
under 8 an appropriation which will
provide for their care and training.
We hope in the near future a WE'LL
equipped nursery. kindergarten and
primary school will be provided for
blind children of New Jersey. The
Arthur Home at Summit affords a
movement in the right direction.
This commission has followed the eX-
ample of Massachusetts, Rhode Island
and several leading cities Of this coun
try, in extending educational priyi-
leges to those who lose their sight too
old to attend school, by the establish
ment of a department for the free in
struction of the adult blind in their
homes. The headquarters Of this work
is at IS Central avenue, Newark. In
addition to the teacher at these head
quarters Miss Ward, of Camden, is do
ing home teaching in the southern part
of the state. Two hundred and ten
cases have been investigated, and not
less than eighty have received instruc-
ton.
In connection with the public
libri ries of many of our leading cities
there are departments of embossed
books, which are carried TO and from
the readers through the malls free of
charge. The Newark Library has
about nifty volumes, which they lend
to the blind throughout New Jersey,
and they are willing to receive further
contributions for distribution among
the blind of this State.
In the literary department Of the
schools for the blind pupils pursue
courses similar to those of our public
elementary and high schools. For
pupils with musical ability there are
/ o,n,n1o1,aY, yix,o uo,arco0 Ia, Hhn Dpt ep11a-
position and history OF music. Exer-
cises in The open air and in a gym
nasium is required OF all,
Useful Occupations Taught.
In the workshops the boys learn
mattress making and chair seating;
the girls are taught knitting. hand and
machine sewing, the cutting and MAX
ing of their clothes and a course in
cooking has been introduced in some
institutions, and where the cottage sys-
tenn is followed the girls share in the
domestic duties OF the household. Thus
equipped with well-trsined minds,
heart sensitive to truth and right and
hands quick to obey the dictates OF
mind and heart, the graduates of the
schools for the blind in this country
return to communities whence they
came capable of adding to the mental
and moral welfare of society.
AS We consider the work of these
schools and sea their results in the
lives OF musicians, professional and
business men and such women as Miss
Poulssop. the kindergarten expert, ant
Mr.. Macy, teacher of Helen Keller
we must be reminded of Christ's mes
sa ge to John-"The Leaf hear. the blint
see and the Door have the Gospe
preached to them
William r. George told of the worl
of the George Junior Republic at Elem.
ington,