No. 35
THE BLIND BEGGAR
OF JERICHO.
BY THE AUTHOR OF "PEEP OF DAY."
LONDON:
JOHN HATCHARD AND SON.
1848.
THE BLIND BEGGAR OF
JERICHO.
[Pg 2]It is very common to see blind menbegging in the streets. Do not you pitythe blind? How sad it must be never tosee the light of the sun, nor the greenleaves in spring, nor the faces of ourdearest friends!
A long while ago a blind man satbegging by the side of the road. As hesat he heard the noise of a great crowdwalking along. He did not know whythere was such a crowd, so he asked thepeople passing by why so many hadcome together. They told him thatJesus of Nazareth was passing that way.The blind man had heard before of Jesus.He had heard that he could do greatwonders, and he felt sure in his heartthat Jesus could make him see. But[Pg 3]the blind man could not go to him—howcould he dare to stir in such a crowd?He might have been pushed down andtrodden upon and crushed to death. Buthe could speak. He cried out very loud,"Have mercy on me, O Lord." He didnot cry out once or twice, he kept oncrying out, hoping that Jesus would hearhim. But the Lord took no notice ofhim, and a great many people came upto him and told him not to make such anoise. Yet the poor man would not bequiet; he knew that the Lord was passingby, and that he might soon be gone,and that he might never pass that wayagain, so he cried out more than ever,"Lord, have mercy on me!" And didthe Lord take notice of him at last?[Pg 4]Yes, he did; he stood still, and told thepeople to bring that blind man to him.How kind it was in Jesus to care forthe blind beggar! Jesus is very kind,and cares for every poor creature in theworld. At last the blind man heardsome one speak kindly to him, and say,"Be of good comfort; rise, he calleththee." How glad he was to hear thatJesus had sent for him! He got up veryquickly, and went to Jesus, for now thepeople made room for him. No onenow was rude to the poor beggar, forJesus had called for him.
And what did Jesus say to him? Heasked him this question, "What do youwish me to do for you?" The man replied,"Lord, that I may receive my[Pg 5]sight." Jesus pitied him very much, andhe touched his eyes, and said, "Receivethy sight." That moment he was ableto see. How glad he now was that hehad cried out, "Lord, have mercy onme," and that he had not left off whenthe people told him not to make a noise!He would not leave Jesus now he hadfound him, but went after him on the road,praising him, and thanking God for hisgoodness.
If all people would pray as this blindman did, Jesus would hear them all.The child who reads this book is notblind. If you were blind how could youread to father or to mother? But thereis something which Jesus could do foryou, that would make you happy for[Pg 6]ever. What is it? Do you know? Ifhe were to say, "What do you wish meto do for you?" what would you answer?I should