THE BLIND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8270, 31 May 1890, Page 3

THE BLIND.

Mr. John Abbott writes .— I have unfeigned pleasure in submitting fourteenth list of subscriptions herein, i*J» 2s, which, added to previous amount, totals £753 ss. The growth of our lists, as well as the generous spirit which has actuated the donors, furnishes ample evidence that there is a strong desire on behalf of «w public to bring our unfortunate i**™creatures, who are afflicted with the calamity of blindness, within the reach of those beneficent agencies, which, by cue instrumentalities of science and art, have been brought into existence ; and in their recognition we fully endorse the beautify poetic sentiment — " Ther» are things whose strong reality Outshines our fairy land ; in shapeaed nues More beautiful than our fantastic sky, And the strange constellations which the muse O'er her wild universe is skilful to diffuse. Moreover, Mackay justly exclaims : " Blessings on science ! when the earth seemed old. When Faith grew doting, and our reason cold, 'Twas she discovered that the world was yoong, And taught a language to its lisping tongue. The inestimable blessings which science has placed at our disposal amazingly enhance our responsibility; and to deny these blessings to the blind is nothing more nor less than to be wicked. Anent this class it is written : " Tho tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." 1 think the pertinent question of Bishop Heber in reference to the monopoly of the blessings of Christianity might be cited, and a salutary inference therefrom deducted.

Shall we whose souls are lighted With wisdom from on high, Can we to men benighted The lamp of life deny ? Salvation, ob, salvation. The joyful sound proclaim, Till earth's remotest nation Has learnt Messiah's name. Till o'er our ransomed nature The Lamb for sinuers slain, Redeemer, Kwr, Creator, In bliss returns to reign. Mrs. Aldis has not yet forwarded her subscription ; I am sure the large heart of our heroine will rise and swell to the occasion. The deep springs of her liberality will bubble up and flow out in a munificenl golden stream, and we shall speedily have to chronicle not only a literary effusion which may be regarded as apples of gold in pictures of silver, but a splendid golden offering will testify how deeply she feels, and how practically she sympathises with our noble object.

Mrs. Greenaway, per A.R.G., £2 2s ; A. K. Greenaway, £2 2s ; Judge Conolly, £2 2s ; I). Dingwall (second subscription), £2 2s ; M. M. Kirkbride, £2 2s; Kev. W. (jittos, £1 Is; Hudson, £1 Is; S. Coombe, £1 is ; F. Miller, £1 ; G. Smith, £1 ; W. Spedding, £1; \V. Masou, £1 ; John Maasey, sen., £1 ; F. B. Kiagsford, £1; W. W. R. Cook, 10s 6d ; Jamas Hawkins, 10s 6d ; J. S. Cox, 10s 6d; Partridge and Co., 10s 6d ; I. E. Shera, 10s; A Friend, 10s ; K.W.8., 10s ; T. Stewart, 10s ; R. Hill, 10s ; John Peach, 10s ; Andrew Rennie, 10s ; R. Webb, lUs ; James Roukton, 10s; Samuel Luke, 10s ; C.S.R., 10s ; Captain Nearing, 10s; F. Gaudin, Ms; J. Yainom, 10s ; J. B. Neville, 10s ; W. Jeffreys, 10s ; A Friend, lCs ; A Friend, 10s; D. Hyaussnn, ss; Kaipara, ss; Rev. tlasledeu, ss; F. Bull, ss: James Clark, sa; J.P., ss; A. Masy, ss; A. V. Salter, ss ; W. Colson, 5s ; W. Willis, 5s ; Samuel Douglas, Os : Robert Caruth, 5s ; John Boyd, 5s ; Percy and Wills, 5s ; Fred Shaw, 5s ; B. Cronin, as.; H. Little, 5s : W. Priestley, os ; W. McLachlan, ss ; John Wray, 0s ; C. Newman, 4s; J. Andrew, 4s; A Friend, 3s ; A Friend, 2s 6d ; A Friend, 2s 6d ; J. Kelly, 2s (id ; W. Cochrane, 2s 6d ; A Friend, 2s 6d; A Kriend, 2s tid ; A Friend, 2s 6d: W. Thornson, 2s (id; T. Wyhe, 2s 6d; A Friend, 2s«d; J. Moire, 2s Gd; A Friend, 2s 6d; A Friend, 23; G. Aickin, 2s ; "Wharfe, 2s : total, £33 2s. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ' Cambridge, Friday. Mr. George Dickenson has taken m hand the collection of subscriptions on behalf of the Institute for the Blind, to supplement the movement set on foot by Mr. John Abbott, of Auckland. Mr. Dickenson has been very successful, and has met with much sympathy and promises of support in behalf of the noble work. Hereunder is his first list of subscriptions in the Cambridge district:— A Friend of the Blind, 10s ; J. H. Priestley, £1 is ; Archdeacon Willis, £1 Is ;J. W. Merrick, £1 Is; W. M. Douglas, £2 2s; Rev. Father O'Gara, £1 Is; Three Friends, £4; J. R. S. Richardson, 5s ; G. W. Walker, 10s 6d ; F. Green, 2s 6d ; W. B. W., os ; W. G. Pari:, 10s W. Selby, 5s ; John McNicol, 10s 6d ; W. J. Hunter, 10s 6d; Thomas Paton, 103 6d ; F. J. Brooks, 10s 6d ; James Halley, 10s 6d ; J. P. Thomson, 10s 6d ; A Friend, 10s 6d ; James Taylor, 10s 6d ; John Fisher, 5s ; R. Fawcett, 5s ; Henry Buttle, ss: James Tumbull, 2s 6d; W. Scott, la; James Clements, 2s 6d ; R. W. Sargent, 2s a ' ™ , Browne > 2 6d : total, £18 2s 6d. Any Waikato.friends who sympathise with this movement who have not been waited on, may send any subscription to Mr. George Dickenson, Cambridge.