The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-17
A SILENT CEREMONY.

Deaf Mutcs Welded at Christ Church Last
Evening-An Interesting Occasion.
The marriage of Mr.. Beaufort Banta and
MISS Alma MAY Hayden was solemnized
last night at Christ Episcopal Church, by
Rev. A. w. Mann. of Cleveland. The cere-
mony was witnessed by an assemblage of
friends who nearly filed the church. Es-
pecial interest conferred in the nuptiaIs,
from ths fact that the bride and groom and
the minister are mutes The vows. the
Invocation and the blessing were there
fore all In the sfgn-language
The orgnn, for the same reason gave forth
no joyous wedding march, and the buzz of
subdued conversation, which usually arises
from a company of wedding guests await
ing the nuptials, was n0tIceably absent
There were, however. active fingers. and
smiling faces that told of communication
Of merry thought. The spectators gave
rapt attention to the silent service. The
bride was attired in gown of white brill
iantine and silk, with corded corsage, and
angei-wing sleeves. She wore a silk
suit and corsage bouquet of
roses and smilax. Her demeanor
was free from nervousness. and with even
features, fair complexion, dark eyes and
wavy brown hair. her appearance attracted
much admiration. The groom was dressed
in u business suit of gray. The grooms-
man was Mr. George w. Grubbs. of the
Deaf and Dumb Institute, and the brides
maid. Miss Mary league. of Waba sh. From
the church the bridal perty drov g to the
Denison Hotel, where reception
WAS held. The old school friends
of the principals together with
many others, called to extend congratuIa-
tons Mrs. Banta acknowledged the
hnger-spoken compliments with graceful
self possessIoD. accompanied by bewitch-
ing smiles. Mr.. and Mrs Banfa took tho
midnight train for Chicago. They will
80 In "A % .xr r
near Logansport. The groom's father is a
wealthy farmer and trustee of JET
fersoH township. in Cass county. The
young peoples acquaintance began
In the Deaf and Dumb Institu-
ton, where the groom graduated five
years ago. He had then learned the trade
of cabinet-Inaking His wife, who Is the
daughter OF j. +. Hayden. graduated there
last spring. She il eighteen years of age.
while hes husband is twenty four. Both
lest their hearing from sickness after birth,
and the groom at so early age that he
had not acqulerd. and hence could not
learn. artleulate speech The bride lost her
hearing at a later age and retains the pow
ents were received from admiring friends.
Church Work Among the Deaf
Rev. A. W. Mann. general missionary
among the deaf, who is well known in this
city. which he visi "a at stated times each
year. has issued his fifteenth annual report
of church work among the deaf. His work
embraces western Pennsylv ania. Ohio.
Indiana. Michigan, Illinois. Missouri. Iowa.
Minnesota and " lscOusin. He notes that
the ratio of mutes Is as one To 1.Go0 of the
population. and that two came eighty
miles TO attend services at a mission IN
Indiana. He says that in course of time
churches tor mutes should be established
in all cities of 100000 and over, leay ing the
small cities and che county TO be served by
travelling missionaries. and adds. EVERY
where they are too few for UNCONVENTIONAL
divisions He notes that the first sermon
in the sign language was given by Jesus
Christ who took the deaf aud speechless
man aside from tho multitude" and made
a few simple but deeply expressive signs to
him before proRouneing the command re-
lieying him of the letters of disability.