The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-06-10
Great Personages
of the Bible
BY
REV. LEONARD A. BARRETT
Bartin0eus


DARTIAfAEUS was blind. Blindness
ID was very common in the East, due
largely to sand dusr and the hot rays
of the sun. Congehital blindness was
quite rare. Barti.naeus was not only
blind. He was beggar. "He sat by
the wayside begging" While thus seek
ing aims from those who passed by, he
overheard conversations regarding the
coming OF one named Jesus Imme-
diately he shouted as loud as he could
so that Jesus would be sure to hear
him, Jesus, thou Son of David, have
mercy on me-" Some persons in the
crowd, having been attracted to him
by his persistent shouting, tried to
make him keep quiet, but the more
they tried to quiet him the more
boisterous he became. His cries were
heard by Jesus, who had come near
to the place where Bartimaeus was
sitting. Those who heard Jesus ask
that Bartimaeus be brought to him
spoke encouraging words to Barti-
maeus, saying that Jesus wanted to see
him, "Be of good comfort, arise; He
calleth thee" Bartimaeus did not lose
any time. He got up at once and went
as fast as he could to where Jesus was
speaking. When Jesus saw him He
asked him what He could do for him.
Bartimaeus answered that he wanted
to be able to see When sight was
restored to him he was so grateful
that Immediately he joined the crowd
of those who surrounded Jesus and
was one OF the group Of people which
followed Him from town to town.
Wonder what the sensations were
when Bartimaeus first saw this beauti-
full world. Did you ever try to sit
down for an hour apd not open your
eyes? 1t is very difficult thing to
do for most people. Imagine what
trial it must be for person to have
to go though a whole lifetime and not
be able to see. Should sight be re-
stored to them the experience must
certainly be wonderful. Wonder what
the sensations are when for the first
time a person born blind looks into
human face. Wonder what his thoughts
are when for the first time he is per-
mitted to see a beautiful flower, a large
oak tree, a dense forest, or a wonder
full sunset Blessings which are SO
common and natural we do not appre-
ciate until deprived of them. If we
were compelled to give up all the
senses except one, which one would
we keep? Would we not rather part
with the sense of hearing, smell, taste,
and touch before we would be willing
to part with sight? An appreciation
Of the everyday common blessings of
life brings a satisfaction and peace
which cannot otherwise be obtained.
Gratitude for these blessings ex-
pressed in service, especially to those
who may have been deprived Of them,
is one more link in promoting the
brotherhood Of man. Highest art is
highest ministry to human need"
The following poem is by Longfek
low:
Blind Bartimaeus at the gates
OF Jericho in darkness waits;
He hears the crowd-He hears breath
Say, ut is Christ of Nazareth"
And calls in tones of agony
Jesus, mercy have on me-"
The thronging multitude increase;
Blind Bartimaeus, hold thy peace;
But still above the noisy crowd
The beggar's cry is shrill and loud:
Until they say, "He calleth thee,
Take courage-arise-He calleth thee.
Then said the Christ; as silent stands
The crowd, What wilt thou at my
hands?"
And he repliess ooh, give me light!
Rabbi. restore the blind mans sight!'
And Jesus answers
This faith of thine hath saved thee"
Ye that have eyes and yet cannot see
In darkness and in misery
Recall those mighty voices three
'Jesus-mercy have on me-"
Take courage, rise, He calleth thee