The Deaf and Dumb - Second Anniversary of the Organization of St. Ann's Church

The Deaf and Dumb - Second Anniversary of the Organization of St. Ann's Church

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The New York Times

1854-10-06

If there is any class of unfortunates who seem to excite a warmer interest and a more generous sympathy than any others in the breasts of those who are favored with all of their sense unimpaired, the deaf-mutes constitute that class. With the uneducated, whose mental visions are darkened and whose entire life cannot otherwise than be one of misanthropic experience, resulting from a consciousness of their being exceptions, more than mysterious to their minds, in the possession of certain endowments of nature bestowed upon the human race, the deepest pity for their abject condition cannot be otherwise than felt. But years subsequently, when, by the admirable system of instruction perfected by the Abbe SICARD and his successors, the deaf mute is led to comprehend the nature of his situation, to obtain a consciousness of his being an immortal soul, and has acquired a knowledge of history, science an [sic] art, and the ability to make himself, to a considerable extent, the equal of his fellows in the warfare of life - he commands the admiration of every enlightened person, and draws around him a circle of warm and devoted friends.
We have been led to indite this article from begin present on Sunday afternoon last at the religious services, held in the Chapel of the New York University, before the deaf mute communicants of St. Ann’s Church, of which Rev. Thos. Gallaudet, the worthy son of the pioneer in the education of deaf mutes in America, is Rector. The occasion was the second anniversary of the organization of the Church. About forty deaf mutes were present, and some twenty-five persons who could speak. The services were those prescribed by the forms of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of course translated in the sign language; and though the rich and solemn tones of the organ and the harmonious chants of the choir, which always inspire the listener with a reverential awe, and prepare the mind for the reception and appreciation of the spiritual wealth about to be bestowed upon him, were absent, yet the quiet stillness seemed to more than compensate, as the most profound solemnity pervaded the Chapel. In the usual preliminary services, Mr. Gallaudet was assisted by Prof. Gamage, of the New York Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, who is himself a mute. The sermon was appropriate for the occasion. It recounted briefly the history of the past – their small beginning, the gradual progress they had made, the present condition of the affairs of the church, their hopes for the future – the loss which they in common with the whole church had sustained by the loss of their Provisional Bishop – and many other interesting facts and details which we have not the space to note. From all of these he drew instructive morals. The discourse seemed to be comprehended perfectly by all of the deaf mutes in attendance, while the leading ideas in many of its portions were understood by others through the expressiveness of the pantomime. The present state of affairs of the church is as follows: A Sunday school is organized having three teachers and twelve pupils, some of whom are the children of deaf mute parents. There are twenty-five communicants, sixteen of whom are deaf mutes. The total amount of receipts for the year, including $300 from Trinity Church to pay the rent of the Chapel in the University, was $465.87 ½ ; the expenses during the same time were $419.45, leaving $46.42 ½ as the salary of the Rectory, who aside from this has received no compensation. The fund for th sick and poor amounts to $82.77, of which $40.25 has been disbursed. In the contemplation of the erection of a church, the building fund has been increased to between $12,000 and $13,000, though [sic] the efforts of Mr. Gallaudet and the deaf-mute collection of the Society. A portion of this amount is to be appropriated soon for the purchase of four lots on Twenty-sixth-street, between Sixth and Seventh-avenues, to be used as a site for the proposed edifice. During the recent sitting of the Diocesan Convention the Church was regularly incorporated The Wardens elected are: Messrs. Cyrys Curtiss and Robert B. Minturn; the Vestrymen were: Prosper M. Wetmore, Benj, R. Winthrop, Robt. Gracie, James W. Underhill, Chas. A. Budd, M. D. Gilbert, W.C. Gamage, Wm. M. Genet, and Josiah Jones – the three last mentioned being deaf-mutes. When the new Church is finished it is designed to have service in the morning and evening by the voice, and in the afternoon by pantomime. At present, however, no evening service is held, the morning being devoted to those who hear and speak, and the afternoon to the deaf-mutes. In conclusion, we would advise any who have never visited the church to do so, and manifest, by their presence at least, an interest in the spiritual welfare of the unfortunate deaf-mutes.

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