The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-25
The Deaf Nutes.

SHALL THY not HAVE A cHURCH
On Thursday evening, the Sd inst, public meet
ing was held at the chapel Of the New York
University, Washington square, TO take into con-
sderaton the proposition Of Mr.. Gallaudet for estab
hshing church for the religious instruction OF deaf
mutes. A number Of cergymen Of the Episcopal
shgrch were present, with many influential laymen,
and several deaf mutes of both sexes Bishop VAIN
wright presided, and, having opened the proceedings
OF the meeting with prayer, said:
The object Of this meeting, my Christian brethren,
is TO gee whether something can be accomplished To
give accommodation for the performance OF the reli-
gi0us duties OF those deaf mutes who are part os
our Christian population here. It is understood that
there are between one and two hundred educated
deaf mutes in this city, part Of whom have been
instructed in the admirable institution which have
to us, and the presiding officers OF which, u .
great satisfaction TO me To say are present unon Tins
occasion others have been educated in the institution
in Connecticut. But this number Of them, am inform
ed educated. We wish to give them the great pr
viiege Of social worship. it y perfectly obvious
when deaf mutes 90 to the churches OF various
denominations in this city where, worship j. con-
Quoted for ourselves that they must be cut OF ex-
cept they notice the action Of worship from partic
pating in il. There is no communication between
the officiating minister the worshiping Christians
and themselves. Now, my excellent friend and
brother, Mr. Gallaudet, seeing this condition OF
things, ana feeInB ueep sympathy or deal mlteS,
himself being in the closest social relation with
them. made an experiment Of assembling few o.
them in this very room, for the purpose Of social
worship, and communicating with them in this
manner by the language OF the deaf mutes
II has been go successful az to encourage
ne to 10 further with this enterprise, and the object
Of this meeting is TO see what can be done.
/ will not longer detain you, because we shall have
full expostons of what has been done, and what we
may reasonably hope may be accomplished by my
friend who is here present, and who will give us the
advantages of his experience in tbis matter; and
doubtless there are others here present who viii be
able TO throw light upon this most interesting sub
ret.
Mr.. james Van Nostrand was then appointed Sec.
rotary of the meeting.
The Rev. Mr.. Gallaudet then came forward and
said Right reverend sir, and r2dies and gentle
men-t would be pleasing task 20 me this evening
10 trace the progress Of deaf mute instruction fr0Ia
hs rise 10 the present time and 10 set before you
the labors Of those who have consecrated their
talents 10 the great work Of educating deaf mu.es
and 10 tell you howhe rst institution was started and
how twelve ingtitutions are in operation IN this
country from the one at Hartford 10 that recently g.
tablshed in Louisiana. However, that is not the
purpose for which have invited you 70 be present,
but II is to speak OF an enterprise OF my own and
you will hope, pardon me il l tell you plain and
unvamished tale Let me take you through the sue
cssve stages which have led TO this meeting, in
Ne providence Of God, and II make use OF the pro-
noun ~, consider that am speaking 30 you With