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


PREACHING TO AND ABOUT DEAF MUTEs-DR.
GALLAUDEr's NoIsELEss ILLUSTRATIONS.
The impressiveness of silence scarcely be better
realized than at visit to deaf mutes church. Yes
terday afternoon HERALD reporter entered st. AIMS
Church, in Eighteenth street. which was about half
filed with attentive congregation. Silence
rounded him every side The Rev. Dr. Gallaudet
occupied the pulpit and evidently preaching but
not sound escaped his lips His hands. however.
moved with speaking gesture. The reporter seated
himself near the middle Of the church and gazed at
tentively. He could almost understand the dumb
eloquence that flowed from the preachers fingers.
Up the front seats sat the inmates Of the Home for
Aged and Infrm Deaf Mutes.
How reverend the view Of theec hush'd heads
Looking tranquility
Down by the door sat some dozen or more boys
carrying a lively, though silent conversation.
Boys will be boys. under such trying crcum-
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 mischievous mute. would
raise repressed laugh Here and there, among the
older members of the congregation. hand could be
communicating some bit of news to q comrade
the other side Of the church But not note Of speech
broke the silence. Now and then late arrival with
creaking boots tip-toed up the AISLE and here the diff
ference between this and other congregations was
marked. for not head turned in the direction OF
the sounds The constant banging Of the large door
and the laughter Of some young men in the vesbule
of the church. though IL annoyed the reporter
cecdingly, was unheeded by the congregation After
knclt in prayer, but instead of closing their eyes,
fixed them on the pastor. who prayed as he had
preached. There was music, for 1t would have
been wasted upon this audience.
CHURCH WORK AMONG DEAF MUTEs.
In the evening DR.. Gallaudet preached at Holy
Trinity Episcopal Church, in Madison avenue on the
subject nearest his heart-'Church Work Among
Deaf Mutes. He referred to the opening of the first
institution for deaf mues in this country sixtyone
Now there nearly fifty institutions
our country mparting light and knowledge TO thou
sands OF children and young and a:dens who
without them would be passing through this earthly
pilgrimage in Tar sadder and more pitiabe condi-
ton In September 1850 Dr. (ialiaudet commenced
Bible class for deaf mues in the vestry of 81.
stephens Church in this city. 1t was intended for
those who had graduated at various institutions and
settled in this city TO support themselves and their
families. The class was small at first, but the
growth rapidly that they were compelled to
10 No 80 Bond street, where they met every
Thursday evening for many years Early in the
spring 1852 Dr. Gaaudet felt that there should be
mission for deaf mutes Accordingly, with those
the he, small chapel Of the New New York , Uni;
the first Sunday OF October, 1852, the
first services held in the sign language. Finally
st. AIMS Church purchased With free seats and
free will offerings at the very beginning st. AIMS
church proved to be the gracious gver OF spiritual
blessings to all sorts and conditions of men During
the past twentysix years the parish has mnstcred
to people OF almost every and color, to deaf
mucs to the blind. and 10 those suffering from other
with plain baptismal bowl and without com
munion set but before year had passed they
presented with the solid silver service in
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, a sewing school, mothers meeting and
social week k-nght gathering. Forty hfty deaf
mutes are confirmed annually. The Church Mission
20 Deaf Mutes has established some twenty Ave mis-
for adult deaf mutes in different parts of the
country. reaching directly upward Of one thousand
persons The society also supports Home for Aged
and 1nfrm Deat Mutcs in East Twentieth street. The
aim Of the mission has been 10 make deaf nutes
happy and useful in this life and 10 prepare them
sincere Christians. TO enter upon the gores of the
life which In 10 come.