The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-15
Beanntu/ Work That Is Being Done
Among Deaf Mines Of cunningham
Mrs w w Silk Talks Interestingly On the SubjecClass of
Thirty-Plans for Cub-Pretty Romances
Heard Of Now and Then
BY DOLLY DALRYMPLE.

of that number eight We're at the Sun
day school the following Sunday morn
Ing"
Showing that all they wanted was
just little interest to be shown in their
welfare I suggested.
Exactly" she replied. 1.-The class
grew from that small number of eight
to 26 last Summertime number now Is
Fl. some of the members having left
here. We call our clas the Ephphatha
Bible class, the name being suggested
by one of the deaf mutes, and which Is
very appropriate, since the translation
of the word means BE Opened"
And do you find the deaf mutes very
quick to learn and capable?" 1 asked.
wonderfully so. 1t is remarkable
how rapidly they learn and the interest
they take in their work. OF course from
the Sunday school class, which, by the
way, is chartered in the International
Sunday School association, has grown a
social spirit which has provided great
deal of pleasure and amusement for
them. Our plans now are to have nice.
comfortable club rooms, arranged where
books and magazines and all sorts OF
things of that kind may be provided for
their pleasure"
do the members of the class all come
from Birmingham" 1 inquired.
"I have one bright member from Ems
ley and one from several miles beyond
East Lake, while last year another
came from many miles below Bessemer
every Sunday, but as he now has po-
sition as travelling salesman to some
firm and has gone away from here.
ST suppose you allow Visitors to the
class, do you not?" I remarked.
"Oh, yes, It Is always a pleasure to
have our friends come IN TO see US. In
fact, q few Sundays ago we had nve
visitors and they were all deaf mutes
and what do you think? They were SO
pleased with our work that when they
returned to their homes In Memphis
they were from there-they immediate
ly formed a elias and are going To get
together in a little colony ike our
selves"
isn't that nicel" I exclaimed. And
1t must be very encouraging to you to
know that your works meets with sucn
approval" .,,ss
and only recently an inquiry from Pet
ersboro, N. H., as to how we organized
the class and just what lines 1t was con-
Quoted on"
Are you making any preparations ior
Christmas?" I asked.
"Oh. yes" replied Mrs. SILK. I'VE are
going to have an entertainment and
Christmas tree-don't you think that Will
be a nice idea?'
Indeed 1 do" I said heartily, as
thought of the sweet, unselfish motive
that prompted these plans and arrange
ments for joyous Yuletide for those
less fortunate than ourselves.
Are there any little roInances among
the mutes," 1 asked Mrs. Silk.
"Oh, yes,' she replied, "and they are
very interesting. When we see any
thing of that kind happening, we tease
the couple and laugh and talk about 1t,
and they don't mind at all, but enter into
the spirit OF it with great deal of en-
joyment, which only goes on to prove
that into the lives of every one of us
the sweet companionship and the tender
affection of our fellow beings Is an ele-
ment that is treasured and appreciated
above all elss in the world"