No. 151.] S09 



How consoling to your minds must it be to know that Milton, with- 

 out sight, was able to enjoy an intellectual light of the most sublime 

 lustre; not only to be filled with the most celestial visions, but to 

 dictate them to his children, who have recorded them for all ages. 



And now, among the numerous evidences of Christian civilization 

 acting among modern men, the blind and the dumb have become 

 pupils of science and art, and partakers of human care and Christian 

 charity. Art is exerting its power for your instruction. You have 

 a Bible, that Book of Books, worth more than all the libraries of 

 the world, so printed that by the delicate touch of your fingers you 

 are empowered, as perfectly as those who see, to feel the holy words 

 and understand their meaning. The Institute feels deeply for your 

 welfare and, as it incessantly watches for the development of the 

 €xhaustless genius of our country in every branch of art, it will en- 

 courage every effort which tends to advance your means of happiness 

 in this world, with a humane desire to impart to you every thing that 

 can inform or delight those who have the blessing of sight, and 

 knowing that the bright gem of genius is often hidden, they will 

 not lose any opportunity to bring it out to view. 



You have heard of Gray's Elegy. Let me repeat a verse:— 



"Full many a gem, of purest ray serene, 

 The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear- 

 Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, 

 And waste its sweetness on the desert air." 



The American Institute will keep its eye upon you, and if it can, 

 it will see that the diamond genius within you capable of brilliant 

 light shall not be hidden, any more than your concord of sweet 

 sound shall be lost upon the ear. It advises you to gain pure know- 

 ledge and, when you have it, to give it to your fellow men as Milton 

 did. So shall you, without sight,, distinguish yourselves as men and 

 secure hereafter the everlasting light of Heaven. 



The band of blind musicians, being deficient in a violoncello, one 

 was then presented to them by the American Institute. The au- 

 dience which was great, expressed their gratification, by loud plau- 

 dits. 



