Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1894 — A Blind Boy’s Letter. [ARTICLE]

A Blind Boy’s Letter.

The following article was composed by little Ernest Zea, the twelve year old son of Lyman Zea. The little fellow is doubly afflicted, aeing totally blind, from infancy, but also a nearly helpless cripple, from spinal fever. He gets about only by creeping or rather crawling The little fellow has a bright mind, and has been taught by his mother to read some, from the peculiar style of printing made for the blind. It is his parents’ intention to send him to the state school for the blind this fall, we understand. The following is his letter:

Dear Editor—Will you please allow me space through the columns of your paper to publish a few extracts from a few of the letters I have received? One letter is from Mrs. Grover Cleveland. She writes, although my life seems very sad, there may come into it many joys. The editor of the C. D. in the Home Helper writes, “Her sympathies go out for me in my sad affliction.” Although I am blind and crippled, what a blessing that I can hear and talk. Mamma tells me I am one of the Lord’s chosen ones. And often when the Lord chooses some one for a special use He must take from them, some of the pleasures of this life. So they can fully trust in him. And then the Lord uses them to his honor and glory. You know it is said, that the Lord is eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. Mamma believes the Lord lias some grand purpose for which he is preparing me. I am a natural musician and can sing alto, and I know how to appreciate that

blessing. I also received a letter from James Banbury, of Kiukiang, China. He says his father is a missionary there and is also manager of the Central China Press. Now lam going .to tell you about the Chinese. There are about 7000 different characters which are very difficult to When the scholars recite lessons they stand with their backs to the teacher, and move to and fro singing their lessons. The school houses are mostly little straw huts, for the people are very poor. Olive Young and Willie Swift are two little blinc children that write to me. So I have ■these to sympathize with me in my lonliness. It makes me very happy to receive the beautiful picture cards and shells which loving friends have sent me. Edna Moore sent me a beautiful golden curl. Of course the curl is prettiest. Now friends you don’t know how it helps to pass away the time to have the people write to me. I receive letters from .both old and young, and from a great many states. My brother brought me 16 letters all at one time and I shouted, “Oh my 1 how they must love me.” How happy it makes me feel to have mamma read them to me. In the summer I creep on my hands and knees all over the neighborhood, and I know just where everybody lives. Mamma tells me to trust in the Lord and my visions Of the glories and beauties of Heaven will far excel those who see with the natural eye. I will close by saying: There's a day when I shall see. „ And God shall give me lUht; When 1 shall meet those friends above, Where the blind receive their sight.

ERNEST E. ZEA.

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