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Brain Work.

Unmoved by clamor and undisturbed by the demands of indolence and selfishness, we must show, in dealing with a most serious problem, uncompromising moral courage and unflagging honesty of purpose. We must consider and measure the need in all its phases and proportions and then strive to meet it fairly and in the best possible manner. The great task confronting us is not how to house and feed and pension a limited number of sightless individuals, nor how to gratify the wishes of those among them, who, aspiring to attain ease and comfort for themselves at public expense and without much exertion on their part, are indifferent as to the fatal results of their gain and indulge such low views of life and in such perversions of their destiny as bring in their train demoralization and degradation. Our task is more serious than this. It is how to uplift the blind as a class, how to strengthen them and render them self-reliant and how to secure for them an appropriate place in the social ranks, in the esteem and the activities of the communities in which their lot may be cast. In other words, it is our solemn duty to do everything in our power which will enable those of our fellow-men who live in never-ceasing darkness to see through their mind's eyes, to think rationally, to judge correctly, to imagine sanely, to decide rightly, to plan wisely, to execute promptly, to sympathize broadly and to be prepared to conform with the demands and conditions of modern progress.

In endeavoring to accomplish this purpose first and above all we must realize the fact that the liberation of the blind from the captivity of dependence and debasement cannot be effected by means of manuel -sic- labor or of any kind of handicraft. It is brain work that will do this. It is not technical skill nor ability to work successful at one or more of the usual trades that will obliterate the most conspicuous effects and check the train of consequences of the loss of sight, or bring about the higher development of its victims and turn the current of their lives to a favorable direction. Verily, it is not this that will raise them in the scale of humanity and place them on terms of equality with their fellow-men, but broad intelligence, mental alertness, thorough acquaintance with the principles and rules that govern business, a firm and comprehensive grasp of affairs, general versatility and adaptability, and a power of discernment and penetration in all things. A comprehensive and liberal scheme of education is necessary for this purpose, on which will enable the recipients of its benefits to

Rise to their task, and, be it small or great,
Shine on it till their smile has made it bright.

This system must begin with the kindergarten and end with a completely equipped high or secondary school, bringing our graduates inside of the gates of the colleges and universities of the country for seeing young men and women. It should provide not only for physical, intellectual and ethical culture, but also for training along scientific, aesthetic and humanitarian lines, and should procure for the blind, both male and female, such superior advantages as would best fit them to share in the activities of life, to enter the liberal professions, to respond to the ordinary requirements of business and to discharge successfully their duties and obligations to society in whatever sphere they may be placed. It is this alone that, by equipping each individual to reach out toward his highest and largest life, will help to create the best possible types of manhood and womanhood, and thus make a long step toward approaching the ideal which Emerson portrays in the lines quoted at the head of this article.

It is obvious, from what has been said in these pages, that we owe to the blind not merely an ordinary elementary "schooling" and some kind of technical training, or the opportunity of being drilled in a mechanical occupation and facilities to exercise it advantageously, but a rounded development of character and of their best and largest capacities, -- an education which will render them strong and vigorous both physically and intellectually as well as morally will train their senses to keenness, widen their horizon of knowledge, nurture their natural aptitudes, foster their individuality, broaden their sympathies, chasten their feelings, warm their hearts by the contemplation of noble deeds, introduce them into the ethical world and into new fields of duty, instill in them a helpful spirit and enable them to attain a wide range of mental vision and a great power of thought and of varied expression, so that they may become better prepared and more fully equipped to solve the problems of life and act nobly their part in its drama when they shall enter upon the stage of practical activity. This sort of education will be for the blind a central sun of vast illuminating power, from which they may gather light and warmth and blessing.

The Blind Among the Sighted.