Belsarius was ordered to have his eyes put out, and was reduced to a homeless beggar.

Blind Belsarius

Belsarius was ordered to have his eyes put out, and was reduced to a homeless beggar.

Braille Alphabet

Braille Alphabet

Braille Alphabet

Apparatus for writting Braille

Braille Writing Tool

Apparatus for writting Braille

"The blind Handel being led to the organ." — Cooke, 1910

George Frederick Handel

"The blind Handel being led to the organ." — Cooke, 1910

"With crutches broke the cripple cannot go; / One that is close of sight doth pity the show; / The one that's lame, hath vision strong and clear, / He sees all dangers round, both far and near; / The one who's vision's dim, is hale and strong, / He carries the other with ease along: / By doing thus, an action, noble, kind, / Will to himself a greater blessing find."—Barber, 1857

He that Helps Another, Helps Himself

"With crutches broke the cripple cannot go; / One that is close of sight doth pity the show; / The one…

"And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said unto him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And straightway he received his sight, and followed him in the way." Mark 10:51-52 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus reaching his right hand out over Bartimaeus' head as the blind beggar sits at Jesus' feet and is healed. Two disciples stand in a doorway behind Jesus, while a third stands behind him on the right. City buildings are seen in the background. Bartimaeus holds a crutch in his left hand.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar named Bartimaeus at Jericho

"And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said…

"When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing." John 9:6-7 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus leaning over and touching the blind man's eyes. The blind man is sitting on a rock under a tree, holding on to a walking stick. Several men are standing behind Jesus.

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

"When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes…

"When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing." John 9:6-7 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus healing a blind man. Jesus is reaching out and touching the eyes of the man. The man is kneeling in front of Jesus and the disciples. Three disciples are standing with Jesus. Two Pharisees stand in the background. There is a large column on the left.

Jesus Puts Clay on a Blind Man's Eyes and He Is Healed

"When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes…

A woven bracelet with knots, most likely used to help the blind learn the alphabet.

Jewelry

A woven bracelet with knots, most likely used to help the blind learn the alphabet.

(1880- ) Helen Keller was deaf and blind at 18 months

Helen Keller

(1880- ) Helen Keller was deaf and blind at 18 months

Moon Alphabet for the blind

Moon Alphabet

Moon Alphabet for the blind

"A poor man here is asking for relief, / The full-fed, portly man appears quite deaf; / He's humbly pleading - see the poor creature; / The big man before him grows still deafer; / Alas! how passing strange does this appear, / None are so deaf as those that will not hear. / Of those whose vision's dim, where'er they be, / None are so blind as those who will not see."&mdash;Barber, 1857

None so Deaf as Those That Won't Hear

"A poor man here is asking for relief, / The full-fed, portly man appears quite deaf; / He's humbly…

Reynard the Fox and Isegrim the wolf fight each other. Reynard kicks dirt and sand up in Isegrim's eyes.

Reynard the Fox: Fighting the Wolf

Reynard the Fox and Isegrim the wolf fight each other. Reynard kicks dirt and sand up in Isegrim's eyes.

"And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Acts 9:3-4 ASV
<p>Illustration of Saul falling off his horse as a bright light descends from heaven. The horse is rearing on its hind legs and Saul is throwing his hands up as he falls backwards. He is dressed in a soldier's uniform. Several other soldiers stand behind him. The road to Damascus can be seen stretching into the distance.

Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus

"And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round…

Screen to keep insects from entering a building through the open window

Window Screen

Screen to keep insects from entering a building through the open window

Screen to keep insects from entering a building through the open window

Window Screen

Screen to keep insects from entering a building through the open window

"And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Acts 9:3-4 ASV
<p>Illustration of Saul fallen to the ground. A soldier is kneeling next to him, attempting to help him. Jesus' upper body emerges from a cloud, his arms raised and hands aimed at Saul. Rays of light descend from the cloud. A horse rears next to Saul and one of his companions attempts to control it. Several Christians are bound and being led by soldiers in the shadows of the background.

The Conversion of Paul - Saul Falls to the Ground

"And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round…

"Then Tobias taking of the gall of the fish, anointed his father's eyes. And he stayed about half an hour: and a white skin began to come out of his eyes, like the skin of an egg. And Tobias took hold of it, and drew it from his eyes, and immediately he recovered his sight. And they glorified God, both he and his wife and all that knew them." Tobit 11:13-16 DRA
<p>Following the instructions of the angel Raphael, Tobias applies the gall of a fish to his father's eyes and his sight is restored.

Tobias Anoints His Father's Eyes with the Gall of the Fish

"Then Tobias taking of the gall of the fish, anointed his father's eyes. And he stayed about half an…

Tobias, after being sent by his blind father to collect a debt, meets the archangel Raphael on the road. Tobias is kneeling next to a river. He is holding an enormous, open-mouthed fish and looking up at Raphael. The angel is dressed in plain clothes and holds a staff in his right hand. A small animal watches from behind Tobias.

Tobias Meets the Angel Raphael Disguised as His Kinsman

Tobias, after being sent by his blind father to collect a debt, meets the archangel Raphael on the road.…

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." Luke 1:11-13 ASV
<p>Illustration of Zacharias, the priest, on his knees in front of an angel in the temple. Zacharias has an incense burner in his hand and smoke is rising from the altar. The angel's right arm is raised. A menorah sits behind Zacharias. The Table of Showbread is on the right. The curtain, or veil, that leads to the Holy of Holies is behind the altar. Zacharias doesn't believe the angel's message and so is struck blind.

Zacharias is Told by an Angel that His Wife Will Have a Son, John the Baptist

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of altar of incense. And…