Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-05-21

thinking. YOU doubtless would have
fixed your eyes as did upon the
tall white haired clergyman who had
asccndcd the pulpit to preach. but on
glancinS about, you would have dis
covered that you alone were regard
ing him. All other eyes were turned
upon black-roted layman who
stood at the chancel-rail and whose
hands and arms began now to ges-
ticulate as had those OF the choris-
ters. II gave one a strange feeling
10 ne onesel fthe only person ap-
parently paying attention 10 the
clearly spoken words OF the preacher
Hhe was looking straight at us as
ne preached. but the entire congre-
cation was looking at another.
or cours" this was a church for
deaf mutes; the only one in New
York. and one OF but three such
Episcopalian churches In the entire
United States, the two others being
All Souls. in Philadelphia. and All
Angels. in Chicago. OF this trio. ST.
Annes chapel here in New York
certainly has the most Interesting
history. IT is memorial TO the
Rev. Thomas allaudet. D. D.. who,
more than nifty years ago. began the
holding OF special services for deaf
mutes as part of the work connected
with n downtown church of which he
was n rector. He was the pioneer
in this particular line of Christian
cndeavor
In no wise afflicted either as to
speech or hearing, he was, neverthe-
less. the son OF deaf mute mother,
and later in life chose for his bride
wonderfully accomplished and
beautiful young woman who had en-
tered upon life with the same han
dicap as was felt by his mother. OF
the several children born of this mar
riaGe OF the son Of Il mute to a deaf
mute girl none inherited the affllc-
tioh, but among the grandchildren II
has lam informed. found one child
in which IL has developed
The cncroachment OF business
buildings years ago closed the edi-
fee in which DIR. C;allaudet Logan
his iabors. and tho parish was alb
sorbed in one much further uptown.
and later on as a tribute TO his mem
Dry the chapel to which l have called
attention was built AS an adjunct or
this new and wealthy parish.
on the occasion of my visit. il was
the rector OF the parent church who
was officiating, and who. not being
accomplished in the sign language,
was compelled TO share the attention
of his congregation with another.
but ordinarily, services are con-
Quoted by tho vicar. the language Of
whose facile hands needs no inter
probation To lis flock.
Greatly impressed by the silent
music" OF the ch"risters. asked
:atcr in writing, why girls. instead
of boys. were chosen for the office?
1t was explained that boys hadn't
tho patience to mcmorize and give
forth from their finger tips as wide
- variety OF religious musical selec-
lions as these chorister girls arc
able to Sing
Service over, there followed
score not easily forgotten. However
familiar you may he with the spec
taclc of greetings anu friendly chat
ter that follows the dispersal OF
church congregation on sunshiny
day, you could bur have been amazed
at the flood OF socialiritl and AMI
mated discourse that swept over this
asscmblagc of men and women inn
mcdiately following the benediction.
hundreds of hands and arms going at
Cncc. and friendly smiles upon al
most all faces. Ii is said that no
greater lovers OF sociability exist
Than are to be found among deaf
mutes. and I'm the dispersal of this
congregation seemed TO be ample
proof OF the fact.
AT frequent intervals during the
sermon an infant on its mothers lap
had bawled aloud In the most un-
cody fashion. and wondered IL Its
unseemly uproar was not occasioning
some OF the animated silent CONVEX
satiOn going on all about me, until
suddenly realized that only the
preacher and myself could IL possibly
have been known that this Infant hSl'
emitted sInaln aniIaSxk. -. ~