The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-13

Interesting Religious CeFemony.
CONFIRMATION OF SIX DEAF MUrEs. FIVE YOUNG
LADIES, AND ONE COLORED YOUTH, BY BISHOP
wAINwRI0Hr.
the majority ladies' cosgrseaed in the used for the
purposes Of religious worship BY deaf mutes in the Uni
ysrsity Building Washington Parade ground, and
which Is known St. AIMS Church. to behold the in.
terestpg ceremony Of confirmation of young persons
when arrived at proper age, conferred upon six deaf
mutss viz five young ladies, and youth (colored
by Bishop Wainwright the Provisional Protestant Bishop
of the diocess of New York The ceremony commenced
with the performance Of the evening service Of thu Pro
testant Episcopal Church, laid down in the Book
Common Prayer, and which resembles in every parti
cuar that of the established Church Of England
and Ireland, by the Rev Mr. Gaaudet. The ssvice
performed by signs, a. usual among the deaf mutes
to be placed under this category being rather dra wn
by osity and perhaps many instances by interest
to view 20 interesting ceremony. than BY motives Of
worship. The service Was, consequently, all in dumb
show-the responses being made like by the clerk In
similar manner and the whole scene, although strange
not entirely void Of subimity 1t, however, wanted
the essential OF whole cosg egatsn of worsbippers
uspg the means of EXPIRE sing their IDEAS and of
giving vent 10 their feelings devotion when the spec
tace would doubtless have been Tar affecting But
the number Of thee latter small compared with
that of the other part of ths congregation that their
motions and signs in response to those of the officiating
minister, not observable The reverend gentleman
far assisted the assembled congregation, by mention
ing IN audible language the psalm that he performed in
mute sgns, rsmey, the hundred and forty fifth be-
II win magnify thee Gad, my king, and will praise
lie likewise mentioned the chapter OF the Testament
that he about to make known to his peculiar
flock namely the eleventh chapter q the Acts of the
Apostles which had been the second lesson of the m
ing Of that day In the other parts Of the ervce
he coudbe followed from the printed book of prayer very
easily by thote who did not understand the mute
signs. Having fnished<hs religious performance Mr.. Gal
audet explained In audible language to the congregation
that the insufficient size Of the 10 which they
assembled for the purposes of his deaf aad
dumb congregation and their friends it had been found
expeden to raise funds enough to build church for the
deaf nutes. Many of these married. and had fami
lies of children who could speak but whom they did
wish separated from themselves for religious
ship and for whom it proposed to establish Sunday
these intentions SO 900 had been collected but it
enough to meet the necessary demands for forming a
parish deemed requisite He, therefore, called
upon the congregation assembled to assist with tons
in this laudable enterprse.
Bishop WAINWRIGHT previously to performing the rite
of confirmation pracsd by the Protestant Episcopal
Church. addressed the congregation follows -
came here with the view of confirming several of these
nutes but did not expect present many
who have the privilege of speech tits very re observa
tier that generally cannot understand the value Of
mon blessings until deprived of them. This has been
well illustrated this afternoon We have the common bless
ings Of air light and water and doubt whether
thankful to God as we ought to be but deprived Of
them should lnOw their value Suppose. for
pie, that were deprived of airwe then should
know the vsstDess of blessing which important
thought enough Of its Never did feel SO much com
peled to give gratitude to God for this privilege at
present Here the worship Of God has been conducted
without voice to utter his praise How striking the
trast from hat we have been accustomed to. Here
opportunity is given Of lifting the voice to ID and
shipping him with the outward sense. Are suff-
GENTLY thankful to God that language has been given
although not to thoe who have been de prved Of
BY the providence Of God' Is there not cause on your
part for thankfulness to God and ought not TO e
grateful to him for tho privilege of hearing and speech
Ought. We not to enquire whether we have always
not, at some time or other abused this privilege
by angry language, or by prOane language Shall
We then use the language of idl.ness AID folly
ought not rather this precious gift
for the purposes for which it designed spe king
the language of wisdom and elevating our voices ia
praise Of the Great Gver Of Here sermon preached
to you, by words. but by signs which must have
caused solemn thoughts to arise in the heat of every
hope that this scene will teacfRus lesson de-
vote grateful ardor to his service that we
ought in every way to contribute towards This object
that is intended for the service of Godg h this city
ing and speech who have been educated a s Deaf and
Dumb Institution. who understand the language Of
signs receive by its the ord of God and obtain
instruction by the language of signs. Is not this
son that they should have place OF worship and make
us determined when we go away TO further this good
works When this subject was first propounded to me
had doubts whether it could be accomp ii ed nor
did think how far the church justified enter
into it, became, however convinced that il deserved
our notice. and now. for the first time. l am come
to confirm six of these deaf mu,es, that offered
to me candidates for confirms alton, and By the
s4CCa-
ment. The Bishop then read aloud the whole of
the service appropriate to the occasion, ordered
BY the cshons Of the Episcopal church, which was
interpreted to the candidates for Continuation
and to the other uutes assembled, by the Rev.
Mr Ganaudet in the language of signs After
the conclusion of the customary prayers the Bishop
from his kneepg posture and advancing to wards
the youthful candidates Who stationed in front Of
the pulpit pronounced the usual form Of prayer placing
his hands upon the head Of the coored youth WHO
FIRST in the line and repeating the word aud
moIy with all the candidates seyerally who conducted
themselves with the utmost decoru and apparently well
landing the soemnty of the occasion After this
the Bshop slowly addressed his youthful proges whom
be had just confirmed in the following words which
interpreted to them sentence By sentence by the Rev
Mr. Gala udet. their minister.
l regret that am not able to speak your own Ian
guaee but am thankful to God that your hearts have
been b. ought to see the Importance OF religion and not
withstapding that God in his providence has shut
knowledge through the and voice. yet that religious
other sense You must not suppose that because God
has deprived Of certain gifts that others possess
You must Iemm bar that this is state of probation
and that therefore God metss out his grace aud gifts
various ways to all That this il fallen state ia
which arethat the world is not God created it,
and that Is not he first formed by his Creator
but that sin entered into the world death by it, aid
That ell tie evils suffer especially those to which
exposed proof that this is fallen state
and not that God is especially angry With you But
although this is state of sin God has opened way BY
sinners, We pardoned through Jesus Christ Although
aienated from God brought TO him through
Inc b 90 OIL the the with should
be to look into hearts have hat love for
the Saviour which essential for salvation That far
from ndeIing yourselves under Gods displeasure BY
deprviDg yon Of hearing and speech you should
slider selves his children after the service of this
day If have come prepared fer it. God has given to
you in this service the promise OF everlasting life, which
you should carry with you through all the trials of
your pilgrimage. In this state then although sinners
you are now pardoned sinners, if have to this
service prepared through Jes Christ Not that you
to suppose that you cannot become again sos
for every DAY drawn to sim bat you are now in
this state that you have truly prepared you will
be pa doped through Jesus Christ 1t is preat spec
privilege which you have enjoyed but you must 70
member hat God will bring 70 account for tire Of
privileges and that fer all these blessings he viii de
mand right that profit by he instr that we
receive and give fair eturp for the benz fits Dyed
That you to this privilege by maintaining greater
DESTROYS OF the service Of God in all respects You
to remember that this Is meeqs a. grace leading
higher Of grace that BY the gospel Of Jesus Oh
the sacrament Of the Lords supper the Chrsans peace
ard IL the Christians food That such 1t Is attend
ed constantly and faithfully and that the discipline Of
the church confirmation is preparatory for coming to
the supper OF the LORD. Believing that you already
Ienitst fer your n and true believers in Jesus Christ
lie, pect you to forward TO that blessed
II you feel, many do, a sense of unworthiDese you
Ia- LAsx -