Moon Centenary Celebrations

A number of historical exhibits had been collected and excited much interest. These included a bust of Dr. Moon, kindly lent by the Headmaster of the Brighton School for Partially Sighted Boys, which, as the Brighton School for the Blind, was founded by Dr. Moon; a set of five volumes of Moon alphabets and Moon transcriptions of the Lord's Prayer in over 400 languages; and a volume of Psalms, printed in Moon type in 1850. Of exceptional interest was the original MS. of Dr. Moon's autobiographical sketch, now appearing in The New Beacon.

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At 12 noon, the company were conveyed to the Brighton Extra Mural Cemetery in Lewes Road, where, in 1894, the body of Dr. William Moon was interred. This cemetery, lying in a gully between hills now crowned with houses, was opened in 1851 on the then outskirts of the town. Beneath tall old beech trees is the Moon grave. Some months ago saplings had taken root there and the inscriptions on the headstone and scroll could scarcely be deciphered. But today, in the soft spring-like sunshine, the white marble gleams in its setting of fresh turf, and one can read that beneath lies the dust of Mary Ann, "beloved wife of William Moon," who "after having assisted him for many years, in his labours for the Blind, departed this life in perfect peace"; also of William Moon, LL.D., "The inventor of the embossed type for the Blind, bearing his name... For 55 years he devoted all his energies to the good of the Blind, and he has now received the 'Well done good and faithful servant,' from his Lord"; also of Anna Maria, widow of the above; also of Adelaide Eliza Clara Moon, daughter of William Moon - "from her earliest years she was his helper and guide. The claims of the Blind were ever her chief concern and she never ceased to work for their good. 'With good will, doing service unto the Lord'"

Beside this grave, bearing on its headstone the symbol of Dr. Moon's spiritual presence - the embossed petals of the rose bedded on buds and leaves in the emblem he had designed to commemorate his beloved wife and which his fingers must often have fondly traced - Canon Robathan, Vicar of Brighton, conducted a simple, impressive service. Around him were grouped blind people who had themselves benefited greatly from the indomitable perseverance and unflinching faith of the man they now honoured, and representatives of societies and institutions who had carried to the four corners of the globe the fruits of that man's genius and enterprise. "We pay tribute," said Canon Robathan, "to this great benefactor of the blind who, with the tools of a vital, living faith and love, made of blindness a talent to give joy, courage and hope to thousands of his fellow men."

Lord Ismay, on behalf of the Council of the National Institute, laid a wreath on the grave "in grateful remembrance of a most gallant pioneer." It was in the form of an open book, the pages of white chrysanthemums, the edge of yellow, with two sprays of pink rose-buds and carnations. A book-marker divided the pages and the word "Centenary" and the date "1948" were in purple two-inch Moon characters.

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At 12.45 p.m. the guests assembled for lunch at the Old Ship Hotel. Lord Ismay presided, and the Mayor of Brighton was the guest of honour. In proposing the toast to the Mayor and to Brighton, Lord Ismay spoke of the momentous event it was to the blind of this country and of many other countries when, a hundred years ago, here in Brighton, William Moon printed the first book in his system. It was characteristic of the man that the first book was the Bible, which took ten years of painstaking effort to complete. "Moon was an internationalist," he said, "a great and good man, and I believe that nothing would have given him greater pleasure than the tributes to his work which have been received from organisations for the blind all over the world." But in continuing the work the National Institute had tried to preserve not only the name and tradition of Dr. Moon but the relationship of the Moon Society with Brighton. Fundamentally, the Centenary was a Brighton occasion with a national and international flavour.

The Mayor of Brighton, responding, referred to the pride of Brighton in the work of Dr. Moon and mentioned also its interest in the work of St. Dunstan's at Ovingdean and the services of the local Society for the Welfare of the Blind.

Mr. William Teeling, M.P., frankly confessed that he had no idea anything so "interesting and exciting" existed in the Society's building in Queen's Road.

Miss Holtham, a blind resident at Wavetree House, Hove, spoke on behalf of the thousands of blind readers of Moon literature throughout the world. They were proud to think that Dr. Moon was himself a member of the blind community which owed him so great a debt. Moon type was indispensable for elderly blind people. "May the light of Moon," she concluded, "continue to shine for centuries to come, bringing independence and happiness to thousands."

Mr. W. McG. Eagar, the Institute's Secretary-General, then read greetings and messages from religious leaders and organisations for the blind in many parts of the world. Following are brief extracts from the messages received from:-

The Archbishop of Canterbury: "You do well to celebrate the memory of one who being himself blind was so devoted and notable a pioneer of devotional literature for the blind."

The Rev. P. W. Evans, Moderator: "In the name of the Free Church Federal Council, I join with you in hailing a very brave and noble worker, and I trust that the celebration will not only recall what one man did, but will raise up a great many who are resolved to carry his work forward."

Mr. Robert Irwin, American Foundation for the Blind: "Heartiest best wishes on completion of 100 years of valuable service to the blind people of the world. Moon has exercised a profound influence on work for the adult blind in every part of the United States."

Mr. L. A. Gunther, The Library of Congress, Washington: "Moon books are being provided by the United States Government, through the facilities of the Library of Congress, to blind readers throughout the United States, its territories and insular possessions. During the year ended 31st December, 1947, these books were being used by some thousand readers. The national circulation amounted to 16,821 volumes of books and 2,601 copies of the Moon Magazine."

Miss S. Ruth Barrett, American Bible Society: "With great appreciation of the wonderful service which the Moon system of printing has rendered, the American Bible Society sends greetings and congratulations. The Moon Bible continues to bring comfort and happiness to many of those reaching the sunset of life."

Miss Isabel W. Kennedy, Blind Relief Fund of Philadelphia: "I know there will be a great and enthusiastic gathering at the Moon Centenary Celebrations, and I wish with all my heart that I could be with you."

Gabrield Farrell, Perkins Institution and Massachusetts School for the Blind: "Our greetings to all who are marking this 100th milestone. our records show that during the past year 1,000 volumes in Moon type were circulated."

Virginia S. Simpson, California State Library: "We have a large circulation of books in Moon, and are very dependent on your press to supply our many Moon readers with new reading material."

Colonel E. A. Baker, Canadian National Institute for the Blind: "Most sincere best wishes for the continuing success and ever broadening service of the Moon Society, and our heartfelt gratitude for the priceless service which has been rendered to so many blind people throughout the world, and especially in Canada during the past 100 years. At the present we have 5,331 books of Moon type on our active shelves. Our books travel to all parts of Canada; since last Spring they travel by air parcel post to the Yukon and other points within the Arctic circle."

A. J. Harris, Royal Sydney Industrial Blind Institution, Australia: "Glad to have this opportunity of expressing deep appreciation of the Moon type and of the work done by the Moon Society. The Society is to be congratulated on its introduction of Grade 2 Moon, also for the marked improvement in the production of more popular types of literature over recent years. We earnestly hope that the second century of Moon type may be even more successful in its work of producing happiness."

Jubin, New Zealand National Institute for the Blind: "Best wishes successful celebrations Moon Centenary from all the blind in New Zealand."

Miss C. K. Garvie, National Library for the Blind (London): "The National Library has the privilege of supplying approximately 1,700 readers of Moon type, and their frequent expressions of gratitude are an enduring memorial to Dr. Moon."

Miss A. M. Hewer, National Library for the Blind (Northern Branch): "It was a wonderful day when the Moon system was invented, and our elderly readers derive untold hours of pleasure from these books. We hope that still more books will be published in Moon."

Dr. E. G. Dowdell, National Federation of the Blind: "The great work of Dr. Moon, which bore such splendid fruit during his life, has continued to serve the blind as he would have wished, despite other subsequent developments, and still has a great future."

At the conclusion of the message, Mr. Eagar paid tribute, warmly acclaimed by all those present, to the splendid work of Mr. Charles T. Burt, Manager of the Moon Works, who had been connected with the Society for 30 years.

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In the afternoon the Centenary celebrations were continued at a party for the blind, given jointly by the Brighton Society for the Welfare of the Blind and the National Institute, in the Munro Ritchie Hall, 141, Preston Road, Brighton. The hall was crowded with blind men and women and their guides, and the party opened at 3.30 p.m. with a concert in which three sighted and three blind artists took part. The blind artists were Miss Mary Munn, the famous Canadian pianist, who was the guest artist, Mr. Roy Glover, of St. Dunstan's, who played the accordion, and Mr. Killingbeck, also of St. Dunstan's, who recited humorous monologues. The sighted artists were Miss Edith MacDonald, soprano, Mr. Frank Walder, tenor, and Miss Jean May, accompanist. The concert was a great success, and showed once again how the blind can play their part alongside their sighted friends in providing first-class entertainment.

The M.C., Mr. R. A. Babonau, then announced a Moon Reading Competition. The arrangements for this novel feature had been made by the Brighton Society, and the prizes-a Braille alarm clock, a set of dominoes and two packs of Moon cards-were presented by the National Institute. Miss Braund, Elocution Mistress of Roedean School, and Miss Naylor, Headmistress of Whitehawk County Secondary School, kindly acted as judges. There were about a dozen entrants, and the prizewinners were: (1) Miss Vincent, (2) Miss S. Thomas, (3) Mrs. Mansfield.

Tea, most efficiently managed, followed, and everyone enjoyed the excellent fare provided by Mrs. Turthven and her many helpers.

There was yet one more "event" in the Centenary celebrations. In the evening about 40 blind people with their guides went to the Dolphin Theatre, where the management had kindly arranged special seats so that they could enjoy to the full Bernard Shaw's "You Never Can Tell." The conclusion of a memorable performance brought to a close a day which will long afford happy recollections to the blind people of Brighton and their many sighted friends.

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But these recollections will be shared by thousands more, not in this country alone but far overseas. For, as we have seen, there were gathered together in Brighton this day from many distant parts feelings of good will and thankfulness which were not simply individual feelings but feelings expressed on behalf of the communities of blind people throughout the world who have come within the circle of light shed by beneficent inventive genius.

"A hundred years ago," said The Times on the day of the Moon Centenary, "most of the blind in all countries were necessarily illiterate. A few men of genius had succeeded, with the constant help of readers and amanuenses, in becoming men of letters without being able to read or write, but in general blindness was a bar to education, professional achievement, and all cultural relaxations except music. Today blind men and women are able to hold their own in most walks of life. The blind schoolmaster, don, or lawyer is no longer a surprising phenomenon. In all these callings a large dependence on those who can see is inevitable, but the blind are now able, by their own reading, to become normally cultivated people. All this has been made possible by the invention of methods of reading and writing by touch, and one of the landmarks in the story celebrated today on the centenary of the printing of the first page of raised characters on Dr. William Moon's wooden hand press.

"Dr. Moon, who was himself blind, and a typical product of Victorian Evangelicalism, gave a life of single-minded devotion to the perfecting of his system. The extent of his own scholarship may be judged by his later discovery that his alphabet was an unconscious imitation of the Hittite, Moabite and Egyptian alphabets. It achieved immediate success and has been brought into use throughout the world. Though incomparably less efficient than Braille, its large raised characters are particularly useful for those who go blind late in life and are unable to develop a sensitive touch. The publishing service is organised and supported by the National Institute for the Blind, whose work covers all aspects of blind welfare. The organisation is a remarkable instance of the success of voluntary effort helped only to a small extent by the State. No Government support, however lavish, would be a substitute for the private enthusiasm and devotion which have made it possible to follow up the pioneer work of men like Moon and turn the blind from passive recipients of State charity into active citizens."

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Readers of this account of the Moon Centenary celebrations will be interested to know that a transcription of it in Moon type, together with a Moon edition of the monograph mentioned in our last issue entitled "A Century of Achievement," by Charles T. Burt, will be presented by the National Institute to one thousand Moon readers.


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