JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9045, 25 November 1892, Page 3

JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Herewith I submit further list of subscriptions, £128 16s 7d, which, added to amount previously advertised,' totals £308 5s 7d. "A blessed work, indeed. Greatly pleased and gratified at unexpected development during my absence in Europe." I was powerfully affected by a perusal of the above remarks, which have recently been inscribed in the visitors' book of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. The former is under the name of an ased, eminent, and venerable archdeacon of the Anglican, Church, and refers to the education, training, and proficiency of the blind pupils, who see through the tips of their fingers, and, thanks to science, which, as a great Archangel of Mercy has come to their rescue, now tread: paths flooded with intellectual and supernal light. The latter emanates from a mitred bishop of the Roman Catholic faith, and refers to the enlargement of our borders, by the erection of the schoolroom, spacious dormitories, and commodious workshop, which- are now conspicuously in evidence. These results have been achieved solely by the adoption of a self-reliant policy. No Costley legacy, no King for nursing father, no Queen for nursing mother. Every true man should be a cause, a country, and an age, and in his character and action, will be found the cradle of the philanthropises." Caesar is born, thereafter we have a Roman Empire. Newton lives, and in the world of science" all is light." Christ is born, and innumerable millions so cleave to His genius, that He is confounded with virtue, and the glorious possible of man. ■ It has been said that an institution is the lengthened shadow of one man; to wit, the reformation of Luther; Quakerism of Fry, Methodism of Wesley, abolition of Clarkson. I think Milton denominated Scipio as the "height of Rome." If this is so, may not history be focussed into the biography of a few stout and earnest persons ? To see a work, feel its importance, has been the privilege, and to carry into effect its beneficent agencies, is the ardent desire of the promoters of the " Institute for the Blind," and herein certainly must lie the grand and triumphant march of true progress. Whatever isjust, whatever is humane, whatever is good, whatever is true, according to an immutable ordinance of Providence, must prevail. This is the faith that inspires, and in recognition of this law there are motives to beneficent activity, which shall endure to the last syllable of life.. Surely the past ages have lived for us.. From one has come art, from another jurisprudence, from another the compass, from another the printing press, and from all priceless lessons of truth and virtue. The mightiest streams of progress, though fed by many tributary waters and hidden springs, yet derive something of force from the earliest currents which leap and sparkle in the distant mountain recesses. For present development we "find cause "for profound gratitude. Bat what we * ',•«.:■■ ..:.: T

see is but an earnest of that which gilds the happy future. Marshalled by science, bun* dreds of the blind, ' sickle iu hand, shall traverse a glorious region, reigning in which they, will be found fields of blessing, " white already unto harvest. In the interim pecuniary aid and intelligent zeal must constancy be placed upon the altar. am, etc., • '>~, ' John Abbott. St. George's Bay Road, Parnell, v o November 23,1892., Subscriptions in aid of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind :-J. Peach, £2 18s; Maude, Esq £1 - E. C. Beale, £1 Is; Colonial Bank, i.i 3s; Caughey, Esq., £10; J. Douglas, £2 2a-; Souoh British, £3 3s, Geo. Rhodes, £1; V™* 8 concert (£l3O 5s 6d; less expenses, £29 6s bd), £100 19s; Theosophical Society, per Mrs. Draffin, £3 10s 7d : total, £128 16