Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-03-02
INSTALLATIONS.
DEAF MgjTEs.
THEIR NATURAL STA re.

We'extraet .he f,Iio wing description
Of the mental condition Of tn Il unf 'rtu
nate class of our fellow beings, the Deaf
land Du I'D, from a lecture recently de-
Eiivesed by Mr JOS. o. PfArr, q Deaf
Aiate) upon that subject. We ire sorry
that cur limits will NOT permit US to lay
the whole lecture b.fore our readers
OF the state Of the uaeducated deaf mute.
the-says /: --s
The subject Of the state of the u1edn-
Gated deaf mute, in re gard to his knowl-
edge OF externa things. is one which is
extremely Interesting to a great many
learned men ate the present day. Past
ages, distant countries, future world. a
Deity. are beyond his reach. I an sure
that if you should inquire into this state.
You could not find a single insta-
nee in which a person barn deaf, has
formed an idea of a Supreme Intelligence
fro n a view of the works Of Nature. 1
can show from my own experience, that
the great idea Of First Cause cannot be
innate in the minds Il unetuc ted deaf
nutes. This subject has excited deep
interest in the minds of divines. philoso-
piers, and the humble followers of Christ
they have often enqulfed of educated
deaf mules whether. before instruction.
they had any idea Of the Governor of the
Universe, whether they had reasoned on
the origin Of the world, what they thought
OF death, of rel igious worship etc. i re-
tain distinct recollection of tie opera
tinns of my own mind nrevinus to my in
struction. | have heea asked and in
.qulre;l OF many times Oh this interesting
subject. have been connected with the
Deaf and Dumb Institution in tbs city
Philadelphia several years, anil Of
course have had frequent opportunity to
made the same Inquiries of several If my
unfortunate FELLOW beings, and have
found their answers. with few unim-
,portant exceptions. TO have been similar
IN my own. shall now give Won his
tory of some of my views aud feelings
before my instruction; and you will no
.tioubtleei much interested, as YOU are
members oil. the Church of which am.
Let me say that l was born deaf and
dumb in the city of Pittsburs; and that
when was sent to school in this city, I
was about thirteen years of age. |
ou silt to be thankful and grateful to the
Author of the Universe, for his kindness
in having guided me to that important es-
adjustment. the Deaf and Dumb Enstitu-
ton, with which am at present coanec-
ted. ~ acquire an education. 5 | was then
Ignorant of everything that depends on
intercourse with mankind. was, there
taught that there is Creator who made
the world, the objects and beings it con-
,fatns, and that there is a Redeemer who
came from above to suffer and die for US
moor sinners. was CAD that my mind
was 10 be opened to understand tae word
..sI God-and that was to lift my sincere
thanks to the God Of all our mercies /:
and out of my meath. as that holy proph-
eft Isaiah foretofd that the ears Of the
Deaf shall be opened, and the tongue Of
The Dumb sing.
Jftbese had been no Institutions for
tse education of the deaf and dumb in
yb;s union. should never have been ed .
ucated-l should then have remained in
. state of complete ignorance and mise
~. and perhaps have died in that deplo.
rable condition, ignorant Of God, and of
The comforts of religion; and | should
not now have met YOU in this church, 10
submit to the government of our Lord
( Christ in all things. Let US sing the
y goodness of God in having turned me from
slarknrss and misery toight and happi-
Tess. Let US contemplate His Kindness
Il bringing our unfortunate fellow-beings
- the institution to be taught not onlv
~ read and 10 know His word. but to
receive the Gospel. Let our hearts be
filled with compassion for our fellow-suf-
ferers aud others in misfortune.
But LET me return tothe explanation of
. those former views and feelings, had