Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-03-31
NUMBER xxx,
4 Published by Request
Bible Presentation by the d. d. & Blind.
STAUNToN. VA. Feb. 6. 1868.

| STAUNTON, VA, Feb. b, 1868.
Mr.. EDITOR viii you be kind enough to
give space in your columns to mere mention
of one of the most interesting occasions to the
officers and pupils of the Virginia Institution
| for the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind, that
has ever occurred in its history-which was SIM
ply voluntary presentation of an elegant copy
of an English Bible by the blind and deaf mute
pupils to the chapel of this Institution. The
interesting ceremony was as follows:
After the pupils of the two departments had
assembled in their usual places, on the first
Sabbath evening of this month, the Principal
occupying the desk, the Committee appointed
to purchase the Bible, advanced holding it,
when Professor Coleman, one of the Commit
tee, spoke as follows:
"Mr. Covell Some six weeks ago, the pu-
pills of our Institution determined to raise by
subscription among themselves, sum of money
to be applied to the purchase of Bible, which
was, In their name, to be presented to the In
stitution, for using in the regular exercises in
the Chapel, on Sunday evenings. Mr.. Bear
and myself were appointed committee to col
lect the amounts thus subscribed, and apply
them to the purpose already indicated. We
have the pleasure to announce that about $l6
was raised, and that we have obtained splen
did book through Messrs. Hunter & Nowlin,
from Messrs. Gushing & Bailey, of Baltimore.
And furthermore, it gives us additional pleasure
to be able to state, that these latter gentlemen,
not having on hand such Bible as the amount
raised would purchase, most generously sent us
handsome English Bible, which cost them $50
in England-themselves contributing the differ
ence in price, to the Institution, and this Bible,
in the name of the pupils, we now hand over to
you"
At the conclusion of the remarks of Mr.. Cole
man, the Principal, Mr. Covell, received the
Bible upon the desk of the Chapel, and address,
ed the pupils, as follows:
Children of the Institution Il receive this
copy of the Holy Bible, as a memorial, of your
gratitude toward your Alma Mater.
Through your committee, you have realized
more than your best wishes. Instead ofa Bible,
which was to have cost not more than sixteen
dollars, you present here to-day an elegant Eng
lish copy, whose prime cost in England was
$50 and in this your pious object, you have
been seconded by Messrs. Gushing & Bailey, of
Baltimore, for whose munifcent contribution
toward its purchase, thanks have already been
rendered, in behalf of the pupils and officers of
this Institution. L trust, my children, that it
will ever be your pleasure to protect, preserve,
and cherish these sacred pages, which, under
the blessing of God, shall prove, in all coming
years, lamp to tighten the feet of the blind.
mid the darkness of this world, and a still small
voice in the ear of the deaf, heard amid the pro-
IOuuO StIlluCSS vi CHc NOiiO CdiuS llOA
his wanderings, into the paths Of righteousness
and peace"
The remarks of the Principal concluded, the
anthem, called Father, bend to thee,' was
sung by the blind, accompanied by our fine Or
gan, after which, the usual exercises were pro-
ceeded with, conducted by the Rev. MIR. Miller,
of the Lutheran Church, of this place, who,
without previous notice or preparation, inspired,
as it were, by the solemn and touching scene it
self, took the Bible for his theme of discourse,
and delivered thrilling and impressive sermon,
which was translated to the deaf and dumb, in
signs, by the Principal.
IF the weather had been good, and the notice
of the presentation more general, believe our
Chapel would have been filled to overfowing,
since events of such a nature do not take place,
in our Institutes once in half century, and
this, indeed, is the only one ever heard of among
us as having taken place in an Institution of
this kind.