The New York herald., 1878-12-02
A SILENT SERMON.

PREACHING TO AND ABOUT DEAF MUTEs-DR
GALLAUDEr's NoIsELEss MINIsrRATIoNs.
The mpressiveness of silence scarcely be better
realized than at visit to deaf mutcs church. Yes
terday afternoon HERALD reporter entered St. AIMS
Church. in Eighteenth street, which was about half
filled with an attentive congregation Silence
rounded him on every side. The Rev. DIR. Gallaudet
occupied the pulpit and was evidently preaching. but
not a sound escaped his lips. His hands. however.
moved with speaking gesture. The reporter seated
himself the middle Of the church and gazed at
tentvey. He could almost understand the dumb
eloquence that flowed from the preachers fingers.
Up in the front seats sat the inmates of the Home for
Aged and Infrm Deaf Mutes.
How reverend the view Of theec hushd heads
Looking tranquility J
Down by the door sat some dozen or moro boys
carrying on a lively. though silent conversation.
Boys will be boys even under such trying circum-
stances. They were just happy though they
had been blessed with the gift of speech. At times
they got quite excited in their arguments. and again
something funny. told by mschievous mute, would
raise a repressed laugh. Here and there among the
older members of the congregation. hand could be
seen communicating some bit Of news to comrade
the other side of the church But not note Of speech
broke the silence. Now and then late arrival with
creakng boots tiptoed up the AISLE and here the diff
Marked for not head turned in the direction of
the sounds. The constant banging of the large door
and the laughter Of young in the vestibule
of the church. though it annoyed the reporter
ceedingly was unheeded by the congregation. After
the benediction was pronounced the worshippers
knelt in prayer but instead of closing their eyes,
fixed them the pastor who prayed he had
preached There music, for it would have
been wasted upon this audience.
CHURCH AMONG MUTEs.
In the evening DIR. Gallaudet preached at Holy
Trinity Episcopal Church in Madison avenue, the
subject nearest his heart-"Church Work Among
Deaf Mutes. He referred to the opening of the first
institution for deaf mutes in this country sixy-one
years ago. Now there nearly fifty institutions in
country imparting light and knowledge to thou
sands of children and young men and madens who
without them would be passing through this earthly
pilgrimage in far sadder and more ptiable .cond
tion. In September, 1850, DIR. Gallandet commenced
Bible class for deaf mntes in the vestry room of ST.
stephens Church. in this city II was intended for
those who had graduated at various institutions and
settled in this city to support themselves and their
families. The class small Mt first, but the
growth came rapidly that they compelled to
remove to No. 80 Bond street where they met every
spr,ns OF 1852 pr aaiiaudst e that here should 'be be
one church in the city of New York having special
mission for deaf mutes. Accordingly, with those
the small chapel of the New York Uni
yersity; in sss Washington square. and on
first services held in the sign language Finally
1t. AIMS Church purchased. With free seats and
free will offerings at the very beginning ST. AIMS
Church proved To be the gracious giyer of spiritual
blessings to all sorts and conditions of men. During
the past twenysix years the parish has ministcred
to people OF almost every race and color, 10 deaf
mutes to the blind and to those suffering from other
ply steal deprvations. They began their parish life
with plain baptismal bowl and without com
munion set but before year had passed they
presented with the solid silver service in use
For several years much earnest work has been done
for the poor and needy of this parish. In the chapel
besides the Sunday schools. there have been day
school. sewing school. mothers meeting and a
social week-nignt gathering. Forty fifty deaf
mutes confirmed annually The Church Mission
10 Deaf Mutes has established some twenty five mis-
sons for adult deaf mutcs in different parts of the
country, reaching directly upward OF one thousand
persons. The society also supports "A Home for Aged
and Infirm Deaf Mutcs in East Twentieth street The
aim Of the mission has been 10 make deaf Inutes
happy and useful in this life and TO prepare them,
sincere Christians to enter upon the glories of the
life which is to come.