1 10 24 https://dev.jannellelegg.com/files/original/ed1930c365d57f924eb6705aa8eb35cc.jpg d0cd90edcdf28668226f46e8c80836dd Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Extent: 1 print : half tone Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 24 x 32 cm. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chickering Hall, North West corner of Fifth Avenue and 18th Street Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available <a href="https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/5e66b3e8-c706-d471-e040-e00a180654d7"></a><a href="http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/5e66b3e8-c706-d471-e040-e00a180654d7">The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library</a><a href="https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/5e66b3e8-c706-d471-e040-e00a180654d7"> Digital Collections</a> Description An account of the resource Photo of Chickering Hall, with St. Ann's Church visible on the left. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/collections/the-eno-collection-of-new-york-city-views#/?tab=about">The Eno Collection of New York City views.</a> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Date unavailable (prior to 1894) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The copyright and related rights status of this item has been reviewed by The New York Public Library, but we were unable to make a conclusive determination as to the copyright status of the item. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Halftone photomechanical prints Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): 342b0c90-c5f1-012f-e411-58d385a7bc34 https://dev.jannellelegg.com/files/original/6c5c1533e79bf2b3d06765893ed108b0.jpg d4506db14b169bdb0744b3e4d9432551 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Wood Engraving Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image Extent: 13 x 17 cm. (5 x 6 3/4 in.) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chickering Hall, Fifth Avenue, New York Description An account of the resource Chickering Hall with St. Ann's Church visible to the left. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jas. Wilson & Son Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/collections/wallach-division-picture-collection">Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available <a href="http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e2-eb67-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99">Art and Picture Collection, New York Public Library Digital Collections.</a> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Unknown (prior to 1894) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource The copyright and related rights status of this item has been reviewed by The New York Public Library, but we were unable to make a conclusive determination as to the copyright status of the item. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Wood Engraving Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): d38036e0-c55b-012f-4e20-58d385a7bc34 https://dev.jannellelegg.com/files/original/18eaa18fbdbd4450160d09d376e94b88.jpg 561cb7c94ffa415854a6cdce8bc72060 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Cornelia: or The Deaf-Mute Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rev. Henry W. Lee, D.D., Rector of St. Luke's Church, Rochester Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="http://anglicanhistory.org/about.html">via Project Canterbury</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available David Hoyt Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1853 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Documents hosted on Project Canterbury are believed to be in the public domain unless otherwise indicated; for-profit use of any material on this site is explicitly forbidden. 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Title A name given to the resource First Annual Report of the Church Mission to Deaf-Mutes Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Church Mission to Deaf-Mutes Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="http://anglicanhistory.org/">via Project Canterbury</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available J.H. Duyckinck, Stationer & Printer, 164 Pearl Street. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1873 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Documents hosted on Project Canterbury are believed to be in the public domain unless otherwise indicated; for-profit use of any material on this site is explicitly forbidden. Reproduction for study or religious purposes is permitted under the terms of the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/">Creative Commons Deed</a>. https://dev.jannellelegg.com/files/original/7b70b5503c24a9f6ffd68ad88f336a4c.png f0ac2539a48b8d639599f5158f684003 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document SERMON. ST. MARK IV., 26, 27.--"And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how." These words of our blessed Lord, spoken centuries ago, while he was a sojourner upon the earth, working out the stupendous plan of infinite love and mercy, which through Him, as the God-man, was to accomplish the redemption of our fallen race, and make it possible for penitent and believing man to be at peace with his Maker,--these striking words of this gracious Being set before us a great moral principle, clothed in the beautiful imagery of nature. As we pause for meditation upon the parables contained in the chapter from which our text is taken, what beautiful pictures of seed-time and harvest are set before our excited imaginations. We behold the rolling fields carefully prepared by the hardy tillers of the soil; we watch the laborers as they put the mysterious seeds in their temporary tomb, and leave them to the operation of those subtle laws which the Deity alone can fathom: we see the rain and the dew followed by the life-bearing rays of genial sunshine; we gaze with delight at the green sprouts as they, one after another, peep up from their prison-house, and raise their heads to draw in life from nature's perennial sources of supply; we look with wonder at the silent change which goes on from day to day, till the tender sprout becomes the hardened stalk, bearing a heavy ear of ripened grain, ready for the reaper to gather into his garners. Yes, verily, we sleep and rise night and day--the seed springs and grows up--and we know not how. Though we know that the prepared soil, the moistening rain and dew, the quickening sunshine, are necessary to accomplish the sprouting and subsequent growth of the seed; yet we know not how the combinations take place which result in vigorous vegetable life. We can describe the visible phenomena of the natural world, but we arc profoundly ignorant of the subtle causes which, in the good Providence of God, bring about the marvellous results that on every side meet the eye, as it sweeps over fruitful hills and verdant valleys. As we strive to look into the various departments of the natural world, must we not, after all, exclaim again and again, We see certain results following certain causes, yet we know not how? Our Saviour, being the everlasting Word by whom all things were made, could use the imagery of the natural world more strikingly and appropriately than any one else, to set forth and illustrate the great moral principles which he came to promulgate and enforce. How clearly and powerfully does he teach us, by his reference to the growth of the seed, that the doctrines of the everlasting gospel--the principles of the kingdom of God, of which he was the Head--produce their effects upon the hearts of mankind in a silent, gradual, mysterious, unfathomable manner,--that the ripe fruit of Christian character comes at length from the planting in the soul of the germ of the new spiritual life. Our Lord also doubtless intended to teach his apostles that the growth of the spiritual kingdom of the faithful, brought into outward communion by baptism, should start from feeble beginnings and have such a strangely gradual, yet vigorous growth, that they should not know how the work went on. Our Saviour, in his parables upon these subjects, evidently teaches that man must use certain appointed means, believing that, in consequence of the operation of certain great laws of God, he will eventually gather in the bountiful harvest, though he knoweth not how. The truly devout mind draws the divinely intended inference that, in disseminating the truths of the everlasting gospel, the means which Christ has appointed must be used; though he knoweth not how the seed, having been planted, is nurtured by the co-operation of God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, with the Church, the apostolic ministry, the preaching of the word, the use of the holy sacraments, and other means of grace. Yes, brethren, mysteries in spiritual matters surround us at every step of our pilgrimage, and it is utterly vain for self-complacent philosophers to attempt to fathom them. Must we not, in our littleness, exclaim, "We know not how," as we behold the amazing work which has gone on since the Church of Christ was sent out from the feeble beginning of a grain of mustard seed, on her purifying,, elevating mission, leading multitudes from their tendencies towards sin and eternal ruin, into that path of life and peace which shineth brighter and brighter unto the perfect day? Yes, brethren, for the sake of Jesus Christ, none the less the Son of God because he was the son of man, the Church of the living God--the pillar and ground of the truth--has gone on, from the upper room in Jerusalem, where the number of the believing company was about an hundred and twenty--a small grain of mustard seed to plant in this world of sin and misery--has gone on, through successive generations, with its ministry, its preaching, its sacraments, its inspired Record of God's dealings with mankind, and the principles of his covenants of mercy--all its holy institutions and godly discipline. It .has gone on, through clouds and sunshine, through good report and evil report--withstanding the attacks of myriads issuing from the gates of hell--surviving the onsets of worldlings without, and the treachery of hypocrites within. It has grown to be the goodly tree, extending its branches from the river even unto the ends of the earth, proving the instrument of eternal salvation to countless multitudes of Adam's descendants--repenting, believing, obeying--and yet we know not how. The growth of the spiritual kingdom, as a divinely appointed organization, is a mystery; and the growth of spiritual life in the hearts of each individual member of this spiritual kingdom, is a mystery. We behold indications, from time to time, marking the gradual progress of these two kinds of growth: we believe in them, as realities coming to pass, in consequence of Christ's redemption, and yet we know not how. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Oh! let those to whom the gospel announcements have come, be not faithless, but believing. Beholding the wonderful work which God, through Christ, has wrought for mankind by the mysterious instrumentalities of his infinitely wise appointment, let all become genuine, devout communicants of the organization which has existed, though they know not how, for upwards of eighteen hundred years, as the grand regenerator of the human race; and in due time they shall be the possessors of the peace of God, which, passing understanding, is the earnest of the good things to come in the future life, of which it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive. Oh! let us have entire faith in the Divine arrangements for the growth of spiritual life, although they are to us, in our present condition, unfathomable mysteries. My brethren, I trust that it will not be considered presumptuous, if, upon this wonderful day of our own parochial life, we venture to illustrate the preceding general views by reference to our own feeble beginnings and subsequent growth. We are an integral portion of the Church of Christ, which has spread upward and outward from the grain of mustard seed. We are, therefore, subject to the same mysterious laws which have marked its growth. Though a young and humble parish, we, this day, fully and joyously, as we take possession of these beautiful and singularly appropriate consecrated courts, stand side by side with those parishes which have in time's progress become venerable and stable, as a Christian church--as a centre of the high and holy influences which, by God's blessing, result in that mysterious spiritual growth of which we have spoken. As we contrast our present cheering position with the one which we occupied less than seven short years ago, we are conscious of genuine, amazing growth, and yet we know not how it has taken place. We can set before our mental eyes a few striking scenes which have characterized our progress; we can speak of having used, faithfully and prayerfully, we trust, the means which God has given us; we can point to scores of earnest friends, who have successively appeared just at the right time to accomplish some very desirable end; we can tell of money flowing quietly into our treasury, in sufficient sums to sustain our gradually increasing growth; we can sketch the history of St. Ann's Church for Deaf-Mutes, and can say that it has accomplished something for the glory of God and the good of man;--and yet, after all, we know not how our present comparative symmetry has been worked out of our inexperienced, crude beginnings. We must, with deep humility and gratitude, exclaim, that the compassionate Being who notices the fall of every sparrow, and numbers the very hairs of our heads, has worked with us, has watched over us, has blessed us; and, in conformity with his mysterious laws of growth, has brought us to this bright and happy day. It may not be amiss, on the present occasion, to refer very briefly to a few of the events which have characterized our beginning and growth, though they cluster about one who would much rather leave the story for another's lips to tell. In June, 1850, a young man, whose father was the first teacher of deaf-mutes in this country, whose wife and mother were deaf-mutes--who had been for seven years a teacher in the New-York Institute for the Deaf and Dumb--received holy orders in St. Stephen's Church, in this city. In the following September, though still retaining his connection with the Institute, he conceived it to be his duty to look after the deaf-mute young men and women, graduates of various institutions, residing in this city and vicinity. He started a Bible-class, which met once a week, in the evening. The attendance, from one person, soon increased to thirty or forty. The meetings were first held in the vestry-room of St. Stephen's Church; afterwards in a school-room in Bond Street. Two years passed away. Several of these deaf-mute persons had been baptized, confirmed, and received to the communion at St. Stephen's Church; several, in times of sickness and trouble, had sent for their Bible-class teacher, to be their pastor. One darling child of doting parents had received from him, as she lay upon the bed of death, the consecrated bread and wine, in remembrance of the Saviour. What a scene of Christian serenity was that--this lamb of the fold silently told to feed upon heavenly mysteries! She passed away, hoping for the better country, and soon the great thought was planted in the young pastor's heart, that a parish must be founded in this centre of the nation, in which adult deaf-mutes, with their families, could find a spiritual home. It was deemed judicious to have this parish composed both of deaf-mutes and their hearing and speaking friends, in order that it might ultimately become self-supporting, which it could do in no other way. Our church was started on the first Sunday of October, 1852, in the smaller chapel of the New-York University. The service was oral in the morning, and by signs in the afternoon. Our small grain of mustard seed was planted by a small band of the faithful, hoping that they had commenced an effort for the glory of God and the good of mankind, yet not knowing what the future would bring forth. The great majority of our brethren in the churches of the city, though they gave us their kind wishes, seemed to fear that we had started an impracticable movement, one which was hardly called for. A few noble spirits, however, stood by us and encouraged us. Their hopeful words, and their generous actions, will never be forgotten. Months rapidly shot by, bringing their changing vicissitudes. But few of our hearing brethren found us out in our secluded upper room, though the congregation of deaf-mutes steadily increased. Good on the whole was done, and we thanked God and took courage. Little did we think, as the lamented Halsey gave us his kindly greetings from Sunday to Sunday, while his congregation, occupied the large chapel of the University--the room directly over us--that he was erecting the very edifice which becomes this day our goodly heritage. Strange things come about, from time to time, we know not how. A few words must sum up our progress. Among other donations, we received, through the kind offices of a genuine Christian woman, the silver communion set which we use to-day. Soon our beloved Bishop Wainwright, and other friends, started our building fund--more sympathy and confidence were shown in our undertaking; but ours was to be a slow and gradual growth. For five years we held on our way in our quiet upper room. Providence then led us to the Lecture Room of the Historical Society, where we at once established regular evening service with the voice. Here we gained new friends, some of whom have proved themselves friends indeed, in their self-sacrificing efforts to obtain for us this place of worship. The Provisional Bishop, and the clergy and laity of this city, on various occasions manifested their interest in our work, which seemed to steadily prosper. On the first of last October, the rector was enabled to resign his connection with the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, in order to give himself more fully to parochial work. A little more than three weeks ago the grand event of our progress took place, in the purchase of this property. What remains for us, my dear brethren, to do, but to gather up our loins for renewed exertions in the work to which God has called us? Around our green mustard tree, so vigorously shooting upwards and outwards from the small seed which we planted well-nigh seven years ago, there is creeping the poisonous and deadly ivy of debt, whose miasma will eat into our very vitals, unless we strive manfully, faithfully, prayerfully, to cast it away from us. Circumstances made it our duty to take the step which we did in the purchase of this property, and we firmly believe that within a short time, God will put it into the hearts of the faithful to furnish us the means of freeing this parish from all debt, except the one of gratitude to Almighty God for his rich blessings, and to true-hearted friends for their sympathy and aid. Since we started, some of our loved ones have taken their departure to the mysterious abode not made with hands; let us believe that they mingle their joy with ours to-day. With precious memories of the past, and with bright hopes for the future, we occupy this day a noble position. It is none the less real, though we know not how we have reached it. Let us be faithful to our mission, and our Father in Heaven will continue to bless us. For the sake of his dear Son, this Church shall prove the gate to eternal life for many a dusty pilgrim on earth's toilsome way. Spiritual growth shall here go on, though we know not how, of which the fruit shall come to maturity within the walls of the celestial city. APPENDIX. The earliest attempts to give deaf-mutes a knowledge of written language were made by Pedro Ponce de Leon, a Spanish priest, about 1550; Juan Paulo Bonet, a monk of the order of Saint Benedict, who published the first treatise on deaf-mute instruction in Spain, in 1629; John Wallis, Professor of Mathematics in the University of Oxford, in 1650; George Dalgarno, master of a grammar school in Oxford, in 1680; Samuel Heinicke, who applied himself to the education of a deaf and dumb boy in Dresden, in 1754; Thomas Braidwood, who opened a school for deaf-mutes at Edinburgh, in 1760; and the Abbe De l'Epee who established at Paris, in 1760, the Institution which subsequently proved the alma mater of all our American Institutions. The early instructors of the deaf and dumb differed greatly in their theories. Some gave great prominence to teaching their pupils how to articulate letters and words, and to understand the motions of the lips. This was a mechanical process, dull and tedious. Others advocated the use of signs for objects, qualities and actions to serve as a medium of explaining the meaning of written or printed words, and also of conveying ideas in conversation, lectures, &c. All teachers, however, agreed in the necessity of having certain positions of the hands and fingers to represent the letters of the alphabet, so that words and sentences could be regularly spelled out. The sign-language and the manual alphabet are two entirely distinct means of conveying ideas. The Abbé De l'Epee originated the system of signs and adopted the single-handed alphabet which are now in use through all the institutions of the deaf and dumb in the United States. The Abbé Sicard succeeded this great benefactor of deaf-mutes, in 1789, and proved himself worthy to receive the mantle of his master. lie improved the sign-language, and perfected the art of which he was so bright an ornament. In 1816 he imparted the knowledge of this art to the late Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet, of Hartford, Conn., who spent several months at the Paris Institution. After urgent entreaty the good Abbé consented that his favorite pupil, Mr. Laurent Clerc, should accompany Mr. Gallaudet to this country, to aid him in the labor,, he was about to undertake. Messrs. Gallaudet and Clerc arrived in this country on the 10th of August, 1816, and spent several months in giving information relative to their method of educating deaf-mutes. A sufficient amount of money having been raised, the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb was established at Hartford, Conn., and received its first pupils on the 15th of April, 1817. There are at the present time twenty State Institutions for this peculiar class of the community in different parts of this country, besides the Private School at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and the Home for Young Deaf-Mutes in this city. These have educated several thousands of deaf-mutes, and must now have under instruction at least fourteen hundred pupils. Graduates of various of these institutions as well as of some in foreign lands, (chiefly, however, of the one in this city,) have become residents of this city and its suburbs, to the number of nearly one hundred and fifty. To these St. Ann's Church (the first with this speciality in Christendom) offers her spiritual oversight and care--affording them the opportunity of publicly worshipping God, in his sanctuary every Lord's day. Much good has thus far been done, for the rector has received upwards of fifty deaf-mutes to the communion. He has baptized twenty adult deaf-mutes, twenty-five children of deaf-mute parents, and one deaf-mute child of hearing parents. He has married fourteen deaf-mute couples. He has performed the burial service for nine deaf-mutes, and four children of deaf-mute parents. The rector has, moreover, accomplished something in a course of weekly lectures, towards improving the intellectual condition of his deaf-mute parishioners. He has also found situations for many who have been out of work. It would be going too much into detail to attempt to sketch, in this brief paper, all the good which has been done among the adult deaf-mutes of this community, by the Church whose exact position and aims are pointed out in the foregoing sermon. It is hoped that this movement may win the confidence of all who desire to glorify God, and promote the happiness of their fellow-men. It is hoped that "St. Ann's Church for Deaf-Mutes" may speedily be freed from the debt, now resting upon it, that-thus it may be placed where it can work to the best advantage in promoting the highest interests of those who have been so graphically described by one of their own number, as "the children of silence." Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Sermon Delivered Upon the Occasion of St. Ann's Church for Deaf-Mutes Commencing its Services at the Church in 18th Street, near Fifth Avenue, Seventh Sunday After Trinity, August 7, 1859, By the Rev. Thomas Gallaudet, Rector Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rev. Thomas Gallaudet Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived via <a href="http://anglicanhistory.org/">Project Canterbury</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available George F. Nesbitt & Co., Printers and Stationers Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1859 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text Type The nature or genre of the resource Book https://dev.jannellelegg.com/files/original/a99923b1260b31ac8df7b46d98e5fb88.png 04aa31ff6c4385378cb973c19f3a3294 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data A meeting of persons interested in the success of this Church, was held on Wednesday evening, May 19th, 1858, in the Lecture Room of the New-York Historical Society, corner of Second Avenue and Eleventh-street. The Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, D. D., Provisional Bishop of the Diocese, took the Chair, and requested the Rev. Thomas Gallaudet, Rector of the Church, to open the Meeting with prayer. The Rev. Dr. Eigenbrodt having been appointed Secretary, the Rector read the following: STATEMENT. The first services of "St. Ann's Church for Deaf-Mutes," were held on Sunday, October 3, 1852, in the smaller chapel of the New-York University. In relation to its progress up to the present time, I propose to speak very briefly, making its striking points stand out each one by itself; rather than aiming at a chronological arrangement. The name of St. Ann's was fixed upon for its shortness and simplicity, as it was thought to be best to join to the general name of the parish the speciality which called it into being, that, under the corporate title of "St. Ann's Church for Deaf-Mutes," it might be known throughout its subsequent course as peculiarly the spiritual home of deaf-mutes and their families. It was at first supposed that the name, being a contraction for Anna, commemorated that venerable prophetess in Israel, who gave thanks at the sight of the infant Emanuel; but afterwards it was suggested by one more learned in such matters than ourselves, that there was a tradition in the early church that the mother of the blessed Virgin Mary was honored as St. Ann. It matters [3/4] not greatly as to the person commemorated--some devout matron of the great communion of saints. We have a graceful and euphonious name, and one also rich in meaning, as Anna signifies gracious--a giver. We have, at any rate, the reality--a Christian Church--"in which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered according to Christ's ordinance." God grant that, in his providence, "St. Ann's Church for Deaf-Mutes" may prove a gracious giver of gospel blessings to all who may come under her influence, especially to that portion of her spiritual children who have been so graphically described as the "children of silence." It may not be amiss to state in plain language what has been already intimated in these remarks upon the name. Our church was founded to gather in not only deaf-mutes, but their children, (who, with but very few exceptions, hear and speak,) and all others willing to promote their welfare. Our services, held now every Lord's Day in this beautiful and appropriate room, where the sittings are free to all, are, therefore, conducted vocally morning and evening, and by signs in the afternoon. In this way, a self-supporting parish is gradually being built up. Deaf-mutes, by themselves, would not be able to maintain a church; besides, their mingling with hearing and speaking friends in the pleasant associations of parish life, are a very great advantage to them, as intercommunication can be easily established, either by means of writing or using the manual alphabet. Deaf-mutes are often present at the vocal services, reading the service and the lessons from their prayer-books and bibles--a single sign from the minister indicating to them the places. On the Sundays when the Holy Communion is administered, we see a large number of deaf-mutes at the morning service, for they have thus far constituted a majority of our communicants. Whenever a brother clergyman favors us with a sermon in the evening, this is translated for the benefit of the deaf-mutes who are present. When it comes our turn to worship in a consecrated temple, free from debt--and to gain strength enough to support an assistant minister to be trained in the use of the sign-language, preparatory to filling the Rector's place, should he be called away--the two could so manage that translations at all the vocal services would render them attractive and instructive to the deaf-mute portion of the parish. This earnest gaze into the future leads me to digress a moment. With our church fairly established in this city, having two clergymen conversant with the sign-language, [4/5] we could be of material service to deaf-mutes residing at a distance. In these days of rapid traveling, baptisms, marriages, visitations to the dying, burials among deaf-mutes, could be attended to with but little difficulty through quite a wide extent of country. Convocations might be held at prominent points, and deaf-mutes exhorted to do their duty as Christian men and women. This would open a wide field of useful labor. It is understood, of course, that in referring to deaf-mutes as members of our parish, and thus scattered abroad in the cities and villages of our land, I mean educated deaf-mutes, those who, having experienced the fostering care of the Institution, have passed out to take their parts in the busy hum of life. The Institution and the Church each has its appropriate work in leading these children of silence along that gracious pathway whose end is eternal life. The pupils of the various institutions of our country are blessed with religious services conducted in their own chapels by faithful teachers. The mission of this parish is one of peace and good-will to deaf-mute young men and women--our own comrades, brethren, standing more emphatically shoulder to shoulder with us in the great issues of time and eternity. The number of adult deaf-mutes now residing in New-York and its suburbs is estimated to be between 125 and 150. I cannot speak with precision, for as yet I have not had the time to make such examinations as would satisfy me upon this point. The greater portion are from time to time in attendance upon our services, and scarcely a Sunday passes without there being present some deaf-mute from a distance, making a visit to the city on business or pleasure. Thus it will be seen that, in the very infancy of our undertaking, we have the opportunity of ministering to no inconsiderable numbers of immortal beings, who, without this church, would be left in a great measure as sheep without a shepherd. The following statistics will indicate some of the work which has been accomplished by our parish from its commencement in October 1852, to the present time. There have been baptized 11 adults, 10 of whom were deaf-mutes; and 33 children, 14 of whom had deaf-mute parents. There have been confirmed 36 persons, 26 of whom were deaf-mutes; there have been married 21 couples, 10 of which were deaf-mutes; there have been 30 burials, 8 for deaf-mute persons and 2 for children of deaf-mute parents; there have been received 83 communicants, 43 of whom were deaf-mutes. Death and removal to other parishes has [5/6] reduced the number of communicants at present actually connected with the church to 52 persons, 28 of whom are deaf-mutes. To convey a perfectly distinct impression in relation to the details of this work, it should be stated that I went out from the city to perform the marriage ceremony for five of the above-mentioned deaf-mute couples, and one of the burials for the dead; that one of the children, of deaf-mute parents, was baptized in North Adams, Mass.; and that a deaf-mute young woman came from the northern part of this State to receive baptism. Where deaf-mutes have removed to other places, they have generally received letters to the Rectors of churches there, and have become regular attendants upon public worship, deriving great pleasure from reading the service in the Prayer Book: so that the good influences started here have been, it is to be hoped, continued. We have had a small Sunday School, in which have been children of deaf-mute parents. All have been trained in the Catechism. During the progress of our work, I have devoted as much time as I could spare from the daily duties pressing on me at the institution, to visiting, paying special attention to those deaf-mutes who were in sickness and trouble. I have, on numerous occasions, administered the Holy Communion to deaf-mutes upon the bed of death, and have had the satisfaction of beholding the consolations of our blessed religion finding their way through serene eyes, and bearing peace to wounded hearts. Words cannot adequately describe these silent ministrations, performed, I humbly trust, in accordance with the directions of Him who came to seek and to save that which was lost. I have witnessed among deaf-mutes some of the most touching evidences of that inner life which is implanted in the breasts of the faithful by the Blessed Comforter. But, my brethren, so long as we are working out our Master's cause upon earth, we must keep material matters in view as well as spiritual. Within a few months after our first Sunday service, our Building Fund was started. In relation to the necessary sum to be obtained, and the best use to be made of it, circumstances from time to time have induced us to change our views and to modify our plans. We have always tried to act for the best, having reference to the future as well as the present. The whole amount raised in this fund, from all sources, is $19,860 72. From this was paid for our four lots on the south side of 26th-street, between the 6th and 7th Avenues, original cost $16,500; interest and expenses, before they could be held free from all incumbrances, $1,383 80; total, $17,883 80. [6/7] Since then we have paid on these lots, for taxes and expenses, $180 73. In connection with our removal to this room, in order to insure growth in parish strength, and thus contribute to the general success of our undertaking, we were obliged to expend for our new organ, and fixtures and kneeling-benches--all of which can be used in the proposed church--the sum of $658 54. We have cash in hand $352 65, and unpaid subscriptions amounting to $785--in all $1,137 65, as the nucleus of the sum which must yet be raised before we can build. Considering that we are engaged in establishing the only church which, in human probability, will ever be called for in this city to take special care of deaf-mutes and their families--and that in order to make it self-supporting, we must have room for five or six hundred persons at the vocal services--it is thought that we must secure $25,000, if we would erect an edifice suitable to our purpose. Deaf-mutes derive so much pleasure from the eye, that, without going to any extravagance, it seems proper that in their sanctuary for the worship of Almighty God, should be seen all the graces of Christian art. It is our determination to keep entirely out of debt in carrying on our undertaking to the result for which we have so long prayed and labored, viz.:--the erection of "St. Ann's Church for Deaf Mutes." We secured the building site of four lots, so that, in process of time, we might be able to put alongside of the church a building to contain a lecture-room, reading-room, library, philosophical and other apparatus, in which we could improve the intellectual condition of our deaf-mute brethren; but this plan we must keep in the back-ground for the present, though it is important, and I fully believe eventually practicable. Give us the church, and there I am confident we can collect the faithful, who will gradually be able to unfold all our plans for the benefit of those who are cut off from so many privileges enjoyed by their hearing and speaking companions. In relation to our parish funds, I will simply say that with $500 a year from Trinity Church, and occasional aid from kind friends outside of our parish, we have been able to meet the necessary expenses of sustaining our services and to pay the Rector a small salary, averaging about $250 a year. We have contributed a little to the general objects of the church at large, and we have taken care of our sick and poor. We receive the offerings of the people from Sunday to Sunday. In passing through the ordeal of removal from the University to this room--more than doubling our expenses--we have been a little cramped; though, upon [7/8] the whole, we have greatly improved our condition as a parish. Just at present, a very moderate amount of aid from our friends would be timely. Twenty-five dollars would settle every claim upon our Parish fund. This being paid, I think that we shall be able to keep everything squared up for the future, as we are constantly gaining parish strength. During the greater portion of our existence as a church, we have had a course of weekly evening lectures for deaf-mutes at No. 59 Bond-street. Before our Institution was removed from 50th-street to Washington Heights, several of the Professors took turns in lecturing; but latterly, I have been obliged to do this principally myself. During the fall and winter, I gave quite a literal translation into signs of Knickerbocker's History of New-York. I am now engaged in translating Dr. Kane's last work. I use a portion of the evening in giving an abstract of the news of the week. It will be recollected, perhaps, by some, that it was the weekly evening Bible-class, started in the vestry-room of St. Stephen's Church in the fall of 1850, which opened the way for the establishment of our parish. The Bible-class, on the first evening, consisted of one person. Have we not indeed grown up from the sprouting of a single mustard seed? Our Church is regularly incorporated and in union with the Convention of the diocese. At the last election, held on Easter Tuesday, Messrs. Cyrus Curtiss and C. C. Lathrop were chosen Wardens, and Messrs. Robert Gracie, Benjamin R. Winthrop, D. Henry Haight, Charles A. Budd, M. D., J. O. Bronson, M. D., Josiah Jones, Franklin Campbell and James L. Harris, Vestrymen. The last three are deaf-mutes. My Christian brethren, I have thus briefly attempted to set before you faithfully the actual growth and present position of "St. Ann's Church for Deaf-Mutes." God has brought us along a pleasant pathway of flowers and smiles. The petty trials we have had have all yielded to the combined sway of patience, perseverance and hope. We have had no spasms--scarcely any excitement. We have enjoyed our healthy, natural, gradual growth; nothing has been forced. As the way has opened, we have striven to walk in it. We wish that all the kind friends whom God has raised up to us, at one stage and another of our progress, were here to-night, that we might receive their congratulations, and that they might behold our gratitude. To those who are here, we say to each and every one:--"God bless you!" for enabling us to minister to our deaf-mute brethren. [8/9] But some have passed on before us to the mysterious scenes of the future life. Their serene joy is not lessened by the remembrance of the time when, upon earth, they showed kindness to those whom God had made to be indeed a peculiar people. Five years ago this spring, at the first public meeting which we called, fifteen of our prominent citizens, both clerical and lay, consented to co-operate with Bishop Wainwright, as an Executive Committee, to commence our Building Fund. Three of the number have been gathered to their fathers. It is fitting that, to-night, we show grateful honor to the memory of the good bishop, who so heartily and zealously threw his whole influence into the work, and to our good friends William A. Spencer, Robert D. Weeks and Augustin Averill, who did all in their power towards our success. My Christian brethren, our simple story has been told. I trust that it has inspired your confidence in our undertaking, as one of genuine Christian benevolence; as one in harmony with the key-note of love which the angelic host sounded when their jubilant song broke upon the midnight stillness of Bethlehem's hills--"Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good-will towards men." I trust that you can see in us humble followers of Jesus of Nazareth, uttering the living word "Ephphatha" to the spiritual ears of these children of silence, that they may at length enter upon eternal life, and listen to the music of harpers harping on their harps in the city of God. Shall our work be pushed on to completion? Shall we be permitted to worship the Almighty midst consecrated courts--our own spiritual home? Do you all say, Yes. If so, the time has come for me to make a personal request. I desire to be placed in a position in which I can labor with more effect for our cause. If my salary at the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb can be made up, I shall deem it my duty to resign my connection with it, in order to take vigorously hold of the important work of completing our Building Fund, and to give increased attention to parochial work. My income at the Institution is $1,400 a year. To make this up, I have a simple plan to propose:--One of our prominent citizens has a deaf-mute son about seventeen years of age. He desires me to begin, on the first of next October, the instruction of this son for two hours a day. For this I should receive $400 a year. I think that the remaining $1,000 might be made up by 100 persons subscribing $10 each for one year, beginning on the first of next October, with the understanding that their subscriptions should [9/10] continue another year if necessary. So soon as we can be placed in our church edifice, free from debt, I firmly believe that all appeals for aid from us to the Church at large will cease. My brethren, will you enable me to go to work next fall in earnest? I need not say to my esteemed friend--my father's friend--the venerable President of our noble Institution, that in case my proposal meets with favor, I shall resign with heart-felt regret the pleasant duties which, under his guidance, I have for nearly fifteen years endeavored faithfully to discharge. I need not say to all my other dear friends there, my co-laborers in an arduous profession, that it will for a time seem very strange not to look daily upon their familiar faces and to hear cheerful greetings, as we have labored for the children whom God has placed in our charge. I need not say to the gentlemen who constitute our Board of Directors, that my satisfaction at entering more fully upon ecclesiastical work will be tinged with sadness at the thought that I must cease to enjoy their uniform courtesy and kindness. For one and all know that our Institution, and the persons connected with it, have ever been objects of deep and abiding interest to me. Yes, it will, in many respects, be a trial for me to leave the Institution, now entering upon a new career of prosperity and usefulness. But, my brethren, does not the path of duty now seem to lie in the direction which I have indicated? I think it does; and therefore I ask you to enable me to walk in this path, that much more than has yet been accomplished to promote the temporal and spiritual welfare of adult deaf-mutes, may be the result. After the reading of the foregoing statement, Dr. Peet, the President of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb in this city, rose and said:-- MR. CHAIRMAN:--I hold in my hand, some resolutions which I desire to submit to the consideration of this meeting; which, with your permission, I will read in my place, and then send them to the chair. Resolved, That the enterprise of providing the means of religious instruction and public worship for the deaf and dumb in this city, as set forth in the statement just made by the Rector of St. Ann's Church for Deaf-Mutes, commends itself to the judgment of this meeting, and we cordially recommend to Christian philanthropists to encourage and sustain it, by individual subscription or otherwise, until its [10/11] completion, and the parish shall become a self-sustaining church. Resolved, That in order to place the Rector of St. Ann's Church in a position in which he can labor more effectually to accomplish the objects he has in view, this meeting regards with favor the plan to raise $1,000 towards his support in 100 annual subscriptions of ten dollars each, and continuing, if necessary, till the proposed church edifice is consecrated. These resolutions having been seconded by J. O. Bronson, M. D., Dr. Peet spoke as follows:-- In support of these resolutions, I desire to say a few words. Our divine Redeemer said to his disciples, "The poor you have with you always." The great majority of the deaf and dumb may be said to be embraced in this category, not that the number of this class is disproportionate, but because the number of those who are required to labor for their support is much greater in every community, than that of those who are free from this necessity. Compared with the whole population, the wealthy are few. The causes of deaf-dumbness exist among all classes, and the families of the rich are subject to the visitations of this fearful calamity as well as others. As nearly as it can be ascertained, about three-fifths of those who are thus afflicted, are congenital cases, and two-fifths are produced by disease or accident. In the latter class, the diseases denominated by physicians exanthemata, as scarlet fever and measles, are a fruitful source of deafness, and these are not limited by climate, or rank, or modes of living; and hence deaf-mutes are found in every condition of life. When educated, they can minister to their own wants, and contribute as well to the productive industry of the country as others in the corresponding walks of life; but being few in number, and dependent upon the labor of their hands for support, and scattered over a wide extent of territory, they cannot build institutions of learning, nor houses of worship. It is only in large cities that a sufficient number are collected together to justify attempting such an enterprise as the one which we have met to promote this evening. The statistics with regard to the deaf and dumb, in this city, contained in the statement which has just been submitted, show the importance of securing a permanent provision for their religious instruction, by the erection of a church edifice and the settlement of a Christian pastor, who [11/12] shall feed them with the bread of knowledge, in a mode adapted to their peculiar condition. But it is not my purpose to speak of the value of religious institutions as connected with their salvation, by leading them to the knowledge of Christ, which, indeed, cannot be over-estimated; there are things which affect their physical and social well-being which must not be overlooked. I have already said they can support themselves; but they need the aid of a judicious adviser to obtain suitable situations, to secure an adequate compensation for their labor, and to invest safely their moderate earnings. As a class, they are more credulous than others, believe without examination, what is told them, and hence are liable to be imposed upon. Without regular employment, they are in danger of lapsing into habits of vagrancy which lead to ruin; and without proper care in investing the proceeds of their labor, they may lose the earnings of years. As an illustration of this last remark, I will cite a case of recent occurrence. One of our former pupils settled in this city as a journeyman mechanic, and by industry and economy, he had, in the course of several years, in addition to supporting himself; accumulated about eight hundred dollars, which he left in the hands of his employer. In the revulsion of business through which this community has recently passed, his employer failed, and he lost all that he saved of his hard earnings. The shock was too great for him to bear; his mind became unsettled; he returned to the place of his former residence, and there committed suicide by drowning. Now if the pastor of this church had been in a condition to look after the affairs of this unfortunate man, and had induced him, as he might easily have done, to put his money into a Savings Bank, or otherwise to invest it in good securities, this sad catastrophe might have been arrested. The importance of pastoral visitation and kind supervision and advice, with regard to their temporal affairs, derives additional illustration by reference to the condition of the deaf and dumb in the city of London. In that metropolis, there are two thousand deaf-mutes--a number equal to the whole population of this class of persons in this State. In the British schools, with few exceptions, no trades are taught, and it is a feature of their system to apprentice their pupils, on leaving school, to some handicraft, by paying a fee to the master. After entering upon his new employment, the deaf-mute finds the restraint, exaction, and unremitted toil of the shop, contrast unfavorably with the study [12/13] and recreation of the school, and without having the reasonableness of this change in his condition fully explained to him, he becomes impatient; shows his impatience, it may be, in acts of insubordination--a misunderstanding ensues, his indentures are broken, and he leaves his place. It may be that the fault is not wholly to be attributed to him--the master may sometimes be to blame. Destitution, vagrancy and crime not unfrequently follow. So great, indeed, were the evils of such a state of things, that an association of gentlemen was formed, some years ago, for the benefit of the adult deaf and dumb, to prevent, or remedy those evils. This society did not contemplate a church organization, though it did provide, to some extent, for their religious instruction on the Sabbath; but by the appointment of an agent, to obtain for them situations, to protect them in their rights, to shield them from temptation, and to encourage and aid them to become good citizens. These objects cannot fail to commend themselves to the good sense of every one; for it must be obvious, that under such a state of things as that to which I have referred, without some such provision, no inconsiderable portion of the benefit of instruction must otherwise be lost. In respect to openings for employment, the deaf and dumb in this country are more favorably situated than in Great Britain, or on the continent. Here they are not required to go through with a regular apprenticeship, as the condition of entering a shop with journeymen mechanics. In the hours of recreation and labor, during the progress of their education, they acquire a knowledge of the rudiments of a trade; and although they cannot, in the outset, compete with the skill of experience, they are not, as a consequence, debarred the opportunity of doing what they can, and of receiving an adequate compensation for their labor. Time and some additional instruction will render them good workmen, and place them on an equality with their more favored brethren. Though these considerations are in their favor, the instances of failure are too many to justify our neglect to afford them sympathy, and kind cooperation in their efforts to help themselves. Some of those who have fallen might have been saved, had timely aid been rendered. For the reasons thus briefly stated, in support of the resolutions, I trust the propriety of adopting them must be obvious to this meeting; for if the Rector of St. Ann's Church can be placed in a position to give his whole time and attention to the duties of the parish, in addition to [13/14] the regular ministrations of the Sabbath, he can perform such specific pastoral labors as will bring to his notice the condition, circumstances, and wants of every member of his flock; and this knowledge, derived from personal observation, will point out an intelligent and safe course of action adapted to each individual case. Should he be sustained in this enterprise which he has undertaken, it will, as he has already stated, involve the necessity of his relinquishing the post now occupied by him in the department of instruction at the Institution. In looking back upon its history, it seems to me that the providence of God has opened the way, and that he has only been following its leadings. He has alluded to the feelings which must be awakened by the contemplated change. Whatever regrets he may feel in relinquishing labors rendered easy by long experience--in severing ties strengthened by daily intercourse, and in giving up pleasant scenes and familiar faces and associations--their poignancy will be assuaged by the belief that he is pursuing the pathway of duty, in accordance with the indications of Providence. Mr. Gallaudet has made an allusion to myself and the Institution with which we are connected. I cordially reciprocate the kind feelings of personal regard and attachment which he has expressed, and shall regret, not less than himself, his retirement from his present field of labor. At the same time, should his appeal to this meeting and the Christian public be responded to, he will have my best wishes and prayers for his success. His father was my friend, and we labored together for several years in the same benevolent work. I rejoice that the mantle of the father has fallen upon the son; and as the former introduced the art of deaf-mute instruction into the country, so the latter is about to carry out, not indeed what was once contemplated--the establishment of a community of deaf-mutes--but a scheme for their higher civilization and spiritual good. In the hope, sir, that these resolutions will be adopted by this meeting, I conclude these brief remarks as I began, by quoting from the words of our Saviour:-- "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Dr. Peet having finished his remarks, Mr. Josiah Jones, a deaf-mute vestryman of the parish, made a short address in the sign-language, which was translated orally by the Rector. He alluded to the great advantages which his brethren and himself had in the services of this church, and [14/15] expressed his gratitude to all who had thus far aided in fostering and sustaining it. He spoke of the earnest desire which deaf-mutes felt that the proposed edifice should be built as speedily as possible. He contrasted the condition of a deaf-mute person, enfeebled by disease, enjoying the visits of a pastor who could converse freely with him in the sign language, with one who was deprived of this privilege. Deaf-mutes in health and strength could converse with clergymen by writing; but when upon beds of severe sickness, their fingers could not guide a pencil. He thought that the deaf-mutes of this city were happy in having a pastor who could visit them in their troubles, baptize their children, perform their marriage ceremonies, and attend to their funerals. In his whole manner, Mr. Jones showed the deep interest which he took in the prosperity of this church. Dr. Eigenbrodt followed in a few words expressive of his cordial good-will towards the undertaking to which his brother in the ministry had devoted himself. After a graceful allusion to language as God's gift to man, he dwelt for a moment upon this new language of signs, through which the blessed truths of the Gospel could be made known to those who had been deprived of their hearing. He heartily approved the resolutions which had been introduced by the President of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and thought that if Mr. Gallaudet had faith enough in the cause which he had espoused, to induce him to give up a salary which was pledged by the State of New-York, and throw himself for temporary support upon the subscriptions of individuals, surely one hundred persons could readily be found who would be willing to make up the sum for which he asked. Mr. G. C. W. Gamage, a deaf-mute instructor in the Institution, in an address by signs which was translated orally, called attention to the fact that the Institution was now so distant from the populous portions of the city that deaf-mutes residing here were cut off from the privileges of the chapel and therefore absolutely needed this church. He said that his deaf-mute brethren here in the city had been in the habit of assembling for worship and instruction for upwards of five years in hired rooms, and thought that the time had come to hasten forward the erection of the church on the site which was now owned free from debt. He hoped that his friend Mr. Gallaudet, would be sustained in all his efforts to promote the temporal and spiritual welfare of adult deaf-mutes. Dr. R. Ogden Doremus, Professor of Chemistry, in the [15/16] Thirteenth-street Medical College, expressed his great gratification at what he had seen and heard, and gave it as his decided opinion that the Rector of St. Ann's would without any doubt be sustained in devoting himself more fully to the interests of his parish. He knew that the public desired this undertaking to succeed. Although he was attached to the Dutch Reformed Church, he heartily sympathized with this whole movement, and pledged himself for ten subscriptions towards the Rector's salary. George F. Nesbitt, Esq., pledged himself for five. Mr. James Beatty, a deaf-mute communicant of the parish, came forward and said by signs that his feelings would not allow him to remain silent. He graphically contrasted his condition in Ireland with his present privileges in a church where he could understand the services and the sermon. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Rector for all his kindness, and to the Bishop for confirming his two oldest daughters. Bishop Potter then briefly summed up the prominent points which had been made in the different addresses of the evening, and said it was evident that the proposed church should be built as soon as practicable, and that the Rector should be enabled to devote himself more thoroughly to the interests of the parish. He dwelt particularly upon the deep feeling which the deaf-mutes themselves had manifested in this undertaking for their benefit and closed with an earnest exhortation to Christian people to help it forward with their sympathy, their money and their prayers. The resolutions offered by Dr. Peet were then unanimously adopted. On motion of Robert Gracie, Esq., it was resolved that a collection be made to defray the expenses of the meeting, appropriating any balance that might remain to the Parish Fund. On motion of B. L. Budd, M. D., it was resolved, that a committee be chosen to give publicity to the proceedings of this meeting. Under the resolution the following gentlemen were appointed:--The Rt. Rev. H. Potter, D. D., Harvey P. Peet, LL. D., R. Ogden Doremus, M. D., Bern L. Budd, M. D., Mr. Josiah Jones, and the Rev. Thomas Gallaudet. The meeting then adjourned. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource PROCEEDINGS OF A MEETING IN RELATION TO ST. ANN'S CHURCH FOR DEAF-MUTES. WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1858, Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived via <a href="http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/gallaudet/proceedings1858.html">Project Canterbury</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available George F. Nesbitt & Co, Printers and Stationers, Corner Pearl and Pine Streets Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1858 Type The nature or genre of the resource Book Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Documents hosted on Project Canterbury are believed to be in the public domain unless otherwise indicated; for-profit use of any material on this site is explicitly forbidden. Reproduction for study or religious purposes is permitted under the terms of the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/">Creative Commons Deed.</a> https://dev.jannellelegg.com/files/original/9f9a7848c903d412fb5ba7b5b46df0a5.png 3e9d38f086dbece557b3ce3a4d47e2be Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document The following gentlemen constitute the Committee under whose general directions the building fund for the proposed church will be completed and expended:-- JONATHAN M. WAINWRIGHT, Chairman. ROBERT GRACIE, Secretary. AUGUSTIN AVERILL, Treasurer, No. 47 South Street. PROSPER M. WETMORE, BENJAMIN B. WINTHROP, FRANCIS VINTON, J. WATSON WEBB, BENJAMIN I. HAIGHT, G. THURSTON BEDELL, BENJAMIN C. CUTLER, G. JARVIS GEER, CYRUS CURTISS, SULLIVAN H. WESTON, HARVEY P. PEET, ROBERT D. WEEKS, W. A. SPENCER. ________ At the public meeting in behalf of ST. ANN’S CHURCH FOR DEAF-MUTES, held in the University, on Wednesday evening, November 16th, 1853, It was unanimously Resolved,--That the Committee (mentioned on the foregoing page) be continued for the ensuing year; that renewed efforts be made to complete the building fund; and also, that the address of the Rev. THOMAS GALLAUET, the letter of Mr. JOHN CARLIN, and the poetical appeal in behalf of the church, be published for distribution. ________ The following Address of the Rev. Thomas Gallaudet was originally delivered on the first Sunday of October, 1853, being the first anniversary of St. Ann's Church for Deaf-mutes. ADDRESS. ________ MY CHRISTIAN BRETHREN: I shall not attempt, on the present occasion, to adhere to the unity of thought which should ever characterize a sermon founded upon a text of Holy Scripture, but allow myself to touch familiarly upon the various topics of interest connected with the progress of our undertaking. We commemorate this day, I trust, with joyous hearts, though in a plain and simple manner, the first anniversary of St. Ann's Church for Deaf-mutes. We, as Churchmen, know that we are engaged in a good work, whenever we attempt to start a new parish which the necessities of increasing population demand: may we not say, without boasting, then, that we believe we are engaged in a particularly good work, in founding a church, within whose fold those may be gathered who have never before felt perfectly at home in the house of God, not only interesting them in a form of public worship which they can read and understand, but also giving them one full service every Lord's day, in their own beautiful and graphic language of signs. The striking adaptation of the Liturgy and all the offices of our church to the wants of deaf-mute persons is so manifest, that [5/6] it is candidly admitted by those even who are attached to the various organizations of Christian people which have their existence in our midst. It is ever interesting to trace the providential circumstances which have brought about present results,--for though it is a difficult, and oftentimes presumptuous and hazardous matter, to undertake to tell what future events the finger of Providence is indicating, yet, it seems to me, that we are, with faithful and devout hearts, permitted to scan the past, and enjoy the blessed privilege of observing just where God has overruled our own plans and actions for our own good, for the benefit of our fellow-men, and for the glory of his most holy name. What a curious record would that be, which should set forth the various links in the mysterious chain of cause and effect which have drawn out the hearts of each person present towards this church, humbly yet confidently believing that, in the hands of God, it will prove the means of eternal salvation to many who shall come within the reach of its influence. At the risk of seeming egotistical to the friends I see about me, the loss of whose good opinion would cause me deep regret, I shall presume to call attention to a brief recital of some providential incidents in the life of one, here present, to whom has been assigned the responsible post of centralizing and vitalizing the efforts which have thus far been made. I do this, because I think that most of the incidents are possessed of intrinsic interest, and because I think they are a forcible illustration of the great truth which should sustain the spirits of all who are trying to do good, that there is an unseen hand working out all those changes in life that often seem so mysterious to short-sighted mortals. The paternal molding of the character of the individual in question, was well calculated to bring about his present position. Paternal admonition, advice, entreaty, warning and [6/7] example, were from the founder of the first institution for deaf-mutes in this country,--a man of forcible character and consistent piety, who had such influence over all who came within reach of his words and acts, especially over his own household, that he frequently induced them to give up cherished plans. Thus, the father, though a Congregational minister himself, and bringing up his family according to the general views of this body of Christians, prevailed upon the son to abandon the favorite idea of entering the most flourishing university in the land under Congregational influence, and to go through the course of study prescribed by the Episcopal college of his native city. This led the way to a knowledge of our church, and to such subsequent convictions of its claims to catholicity, apostolic order, and the possession of the faith once delivered to the saints, that the young graduate was forced to seek for admission into her fold. A strong desire then took possession of his heart to enter at once upon theological studies, as preparatory to a speedy entrance upon the work of the gospel ministry; but parental counsel again interposed with so much effect, that this course was abandoned, and a situation in the institution for deaf-mutes in this city applied for and obtained. Behold how the maternal influence had prepared the way for the proper charge of the new duties assumed. The mother's love and care, the mother's reproof and encouragement, had been manifested only in the language of the beaming eye, the expressive countenance, and the thought-bearing gesture, for she was of the class in whose welfare we feel so deep an interest. The knowledge of conversing freely with deaf-mutes, gained by his mother's side, and by familiar intercourse with the pupils of that institution over whom his father had so long presided, was of incalculable advantage to the inexperienced teacher, soon showing him where the key could be found, which would unlock the hearts as well as the minds of those whom God, in his [7/8] mysterious providence, had constituted so differently from the great majority of their fellow-creatures. Though looking up to his mother with all the respect and love which were due to her high qualities and uncommon character, he had fully determined that it would be inexpedient for him to marry a deaf-mute, but he met with one who disarmed him of his notions, and became his wife. Though constantly looking for the time when he should be presented to the bishop for orders, yet circumstances kept him a candidate for seven long years, and then, having realized the dream of his youth, in taking a personal part in the solemn ordination service, and in feeling the authority-giving pressure of apostolic hands, he, unconscious of the future, took his first step outside of his official duties at the institution, forming and carrying into execution a plan for the benefit of the educated deaf-mutes of this community, just at the time when they were ready to enter into it with zeal, having failed in an endeavor to form a society for mutual encouragement and assistance among themselves. A weekly evening class was organized for religious and miscellaneous instruction, in the vestry-room of St. Stephen's Church, whose rector had become interested in the work proposed to be accomplished. Two were present on the first occasion. In the course of a few weeks, however, it became necessary to obtain a larger room, where from forty to fifty would frequently gather. Two years of such grateful labor, brought at length the conclusion to the mind of the minister that a higher and holier work must be taken in hand. One year ago he had the indescribable satisfaction of conducting, in this place of worship, the first services of St. Ann's Church for Deaf-mutes, and to-day presents himself before its friends, with many thanks for their cheering co-operation, midst the obstacles which must ever cluster around all new undertakings, and asking their prayers that his life and health may be spared till the holy influence of courts consecrated to Almighty God [8/9] shall add grace and symmetry to the heartfelt worship here performed. My Christian brethren, it is true that, after all, I may have mistaken my calling, and must yet bite the bitter dust of disappointment; but as long as I see around me so many who seem determined that I shall succeed, as long as the services of our church are attended in the manner they have been during the past year, I shall enjoy the satisfaction and powerful stimulant of believing that, in consequence of the providential incidents already alluded to, the number of which might be still farther increased, I have been specially raised up to push forward the important work we have in hand, pledging my untiring devotion to whatever may be necessary to insure its permanence. There is something sublimely invigorating in the thought that we are fulfilling the mission assigned to us by the great Director of all earthly events. We should not be too hasty in determining that, in our present position, we are thus fulfilling our mission; but when at length the conviction forces itself reasonably upon our mind that we are, with what energy, self-sacrifice, and indomitable perseverance should we press forward to the accomplishment of the grand object for which we labor. Let us, however, always strive to take a calm and considerate view of our position, and the end which we desire to attain. Let us not feel that it should be the all-engrossing concern of society at large. Let us not inflate it beyond proper proportions, but promptly allow the superior or equal claims of such other schemes of good-will to man as are really possessed of them. In all works of practical benevolence, zeal must be combined with discretion, and earnestness must be controlled by judgment. And let us ever be ready to say in our hearts, that if this work, which is so dear to us, is not of God, let it not prosper, but let providential circumstances bring it to a [9/10] speedy termination. This is looking at our labor with the eye of true Christian philosophy. With regard to this church, we are not called upon to assume the attitude of beggars, in soliciting money to defray its expenses, and to increase its building fund. We simply say, here is a newly started church, designed to take special charge of educated deaf-mute persons and their families. The steps in its creation have thus far been regular, in accordance with the course of proceeding laid down by the Protestant Episcopal Church. It has not only the sanction, but the cordial co-operation of the Provisional Bishop of the Diocese. It is waiting for the proper time to come, when it shall be organized into a regular parish, incorporated, and received into the convention; and that in order to a speedy accomplishment of the various ends which it proposes, it needs a church edifice. Having stated our object, and our present condition, we call upon Christian people in general, and Churchmen in particular, to answer whether we ought to go on, or retire from the field we now occupy. If it is their opinion that progress should be the watchword, we must then respectfully ask what sum of money God has enabled them to appropriate to this, as one of the many Christian enterprises that demand their support, and gratefully receive whatever they think it is right to give. This community may rest assured that no system of importunate begging will ever be entered upon in behalf of St. Ann's Church for Deaf-mutes; for we believe that as soon as its mission is thoroughly understood, it will at once be placed where its friends desire it should be. Listen now, my brethren, to a brief summing up of our doings for the year just past. Divine service has been held twice every Sunday, without interruption--in the morning with the voice, and in the afternoon by signs. This course was adopted, that not only deaf-mutes, but their families, other relations, personal friends, and such other persons as might choose to rally [10/11] around the minister in furtherance of his plans, could have the opportunity of joining together in sustaining one church. When the proposed edifice shall be completed, it is designed to have evening service also with the voice. At morning service, owing to the kindness and constant attention of a lover of music, who promptly consented to assume the responsibility of conducting the singing, assisted by two or three friends, we have enjoyed the privilege of making melody not only with our hearts, but with our mouths, and of ascribing praise and glory to the Lord in those words and strains which have come down to us from the ancient time. Of course, at our silent service, we have attempted to make the harmony of motion take the place of the harmony of sound. Some of the deaf-mutes attend the morning service, and appear to take much satisfaction in reading the prayers and lessons, and it is believed that if they could be surrounded by the solemn associations connected with solemn nave, high, retreating roof, stained glass windows, prominent chancel, font and altar, desk and pulpit, and could have pew arrangements adapted to their wants, that a large number would follow the example of the few, and derive much profit from following the service, thus becoming familiar with verbal expressions for their devotional feelings. On the third Sunday of every month the Holy Communion has been administered, portions of the service being frequently translated into the language of signs, for the benefit of the deaf-mute communicants, of whom there are at present fourteen. I express my own feelings, and I believe the impressions of all who have been present, when I say that the simple solemnity of this beautiful service has never been more deeply realized, than when, even in this ill-suited place for its celebration, the broken bread and the poured wine have been eaten and drunk, in the almost breathless silence which occurs as the elements are passed to those whose ears are closed to vocal sounds. It is due to the rector of St. Clement's Church, [11/12] to state that we have been indebted to his courtesy for the use of the communion-set belonging to that parish. A movement, however, has recently been commenced, by one who is ever ready to help forward efforts to do good, to procure a communion-set which we can call our own. It is to be hoped that success will crown her attempt to cheer us on, and that at no distant day she may experience the pleasure she expects to have, in sending a thrill of joy through our hearts. The collections at the offertory, and also at the afternoon service on communion Sundays, have been set apart as a fund for the sick and poor, and have amounted to seventy dollars and fifty-two cents. Thirty-nine dollars have been expended in affording assistance to a deaf-mute family in trouble and sickness, in paying portions of funeral expenses, and in relieving the wants of two or three applicants for charity, leaving a balance on hand of thirty-one dollars and fifty-two cents. The receipts from the other Sunday collections and donations, including three hundred dollars from Trinity Church for the rent of this chapel, have amounted to $596 68. The expenses for rent and various incidentals, have amounted to about $471, leaving a balance of $125, which, in accordance with a general wish to that effect, will be considered as the salary of the minister. This, all will agree, is a much more satisfactory pecuniary report, than if we had at once plunged into debt. On Thursday evening, the 3d of March, a public meeting was held in this room, for the purpose of calling more general attention to our undertaking. The Provisional Bishop presided, and showed, by his warmth of manner and force of words, that his heart was touched by the appeal which was made. A committee of gentlemen were appointed to aid us in our efforts, under whose auspices the building fund has been commenced, and augmented, till it now amounts to nearly $6,500 the greater part of which has been actually paid into the hands of the Treasurer, and placed at [12/13] interest. Through the hot weather, the exertions of this committee were necessarily suspended; but they have it in contemplation to call another public meeting, report progress, and enter anew upon their duties, hoping to raise during the winter the requisite sum of money, and to procure the site, so that the corner-stone of the longed-for church may be laid in the spring. On Sunday afternoon, the 12th of June, the Provisional Bishop made an official visitation here, and confirmed six deaf-mute persons. There would have been another, but she was prevented from being present by circumstances beyond her control. One of the persons confirmed was a parishioner of St. John's Church, Buffalo, who being a pupil in our institution, received this apostolic rite with the hearty approval of her rector. That deeply interesting service, taken in connection with its wholesome effect upon the prosperity of this parish, offers a forcible illustration of the great advantage of having in the church of God an order of chief pastors, who can pass through the various parts of their diocese, and stimulate the clergy and laity to renewed fidelity in their high and heavenly calling. If the minister of Christ ever grows weary, and suffers his hands to drop at his post, a visitation from his faithful bishop will generally result in increased warmth about the regions of his heart. The blood will course through his veins as of old, and his eye will beam forth the cheerful light his spirit has received from Christian communion with his father in the Lord. Let our prayers to God ascend that the life of our good, self-denying and peace-loving bishop may long be spared to sustain us in the course, which we, as a church, have marked out, and to accomplish all his purposes for the benefit of the diocese at large. During the year past, the sacrament of Holy Baptism has been administered to three infants, three funerals have been [13/14] attended, and the marriage ceremony performed once: various sick persons have been visited, and such parochial visits made as circumstances would allow. It is a source of regret that other engagements have made them so few and irregular. Some three or four months ago our Sunday-school was started, and has since been held in this place, at half past nine o'clock, every Sunday morning. It numbers only two teachers and eight scholars, but it is, nevertheless, a beginning, and affords deaf-mute parents the opportunity of having their children trained up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This opportunity has been gratefully improved by two such families. We desire, moreover, to gather into this school such deaf-mute children as are too young to be sent to the institution. It would be a pleasing task to recount all the acts of kindness and Christian sympathy which have, from time to time, been extended to us. There have been many at our services whose faces were strange to me, but I knew that they belonged to our great common brotherhood of Christian people, and my heart went forth to them for remembering us and encouraging us, even though they did this by only an occasional attendance upon our services. Our thanks are due to those clergymen, one in particular, who have taken the place of the minister when necessity required him to be absent, and to those professional gentlemen who have so cheerfully rendered their services to the destitute sick. Our thanks are due for Prayer-books, for generous subscriptions and donations, for a gem of poetry, pleading for the speedy erection of our church, and for Christian courtesy on all sides. I must not forget to mention that the venerable missionary bishop of the North-west, promptly responded to the appeal for the building fund, manifesting the wide scope of his charity, even while struggling with all his might for church extension on the extreme limits of advancing civilization. [15] My brethren, let us give thanks to God for the great measure of success which he has thus far vouchsafed us, and let us never think of faltering in our onward course, even though we have to submit to many self-denials. My faith is strong enough to believe that the day is not far distant when our eyes shall be greeted with a pleasant sight--St. Ann's Church for Deaf-mutes--a neat, yet substantial and church-like edifice, in an inviting situation, with as much of nature's green about it as city limits will allow, having attached to it a lecture-room, reading-room and library for the Sunday-school, for the intellectual and moral improvement of all the young persons of the parish, though especially for the deaf-mutes, who are cut off from those sources of information and acquisition of knowledge which abound in our city. This accomplished, our deaf-mute friends, in choosing residences, would cluster about the church, forming society for each other, and much reducing the labor of the minister in making them pastoral visits. What a philanthropist would that man of wealth be, who should build for them model lodging-houses, to be rented at moderate rates! And then, after a while, in close proximity to the church, must come St. Ann's Home for Deaf-mutes, where the aged and infirm can be cared for, and have their pathway to the tomb softened by the consolations of our holy religion. This Home must be so endowed that it can receive its inmates from all parts of the country; for how many there are, scattered over the hills and valleys of the land, pining in almost isolated solitude, for light from Heaven to burst upon their fainting spirits. From rooms of sickness, infirmity, and approaching death, they could enter the church, witness her solemn service, and catch something of the spirit of its divine Master, till the lamp of life burned out. What a satisfaction it would be, to minister to the temporal and spiritual wants of these sick and gray-haired children of silence! This, brethren, is my day-dream. How [15/16] soon shall it be realized? We need the help of all persons who are willing to join themselves with us, and submit to much self-denial, in order to labor for such a desirable consummation. What we do, should be done quickly. Two of the funerals already referred to, were of deaf-mute young men, so sadly led astray by wicked companions, as to yield to the seductions of the world, the flesh and the devil. One of them was of weak mind, and we cannot therefore speak with much certainty of his preparation for death. We have some hope, however; for, after a long sickness, in which he suffered excruciating pain, he did seem to be conscious of his sins, and to manifest sorrow for them, with faith in Jesus Christ as his only Saviour, just before his heart gave its last throb. The soul of the other young man passed away sadly, under a dark, dark cloud. A drunken revel, brought on a fit of apoplexy, in which he died. He was possessed of many fine qualities, and in his periods of soberness was the stay of a widowed mother and only sister, by whom bitter tears were shed as his mortal remains were borne away to their last resting-place. Is it not highly probable that, if all our plans had been in operation, such associations would have been thrown around these persons as would have kept them from walking in the counsel of the ungodly, from standing in the way of sinners, and from sitting in the seats of the scornful? How many more young deaf-mute men of promise must be deceived by mad visions of vanity, before we can offer them our quiet reading-room and library, and invite them to our lectures, as sources of rational pleasure, to take the place of the reeking groggery or the gay saloon? The enlightened Legislatures of our land, and benevolent individuals without number, have wrought a noble work in founding and supporting the various institutions in which deaf-mute children may be made acquainted with the knowledge of [16/17] written and printed language, and thus introduced to the elements of practical knowledge. The progress which some of these pupils have made, is truly remarkable. Moral and religious instruction, too, has been imparted in the school-rooms and in the chapels, and many have learned to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and to strive to obey his precepts. But owing to the peculiar position which all public institutions in this country hold, in consequence of the various conflicting systems of religious instruction having equal rights in the eye of the law, the full and perfect idea of the church, as we hold it, cannot be presented in them. Religious instruction in the chapel is given on Sunday by the teachers in turn, without regard to ministerial functions. The sacraments, of course, are never administered therein, and various other matters which we deem of great importance, cannot be attended to, from the nature of the case. We all have to be guided by circumstances in this world, and the institutions for deaf-mutes in this country have accomplished a grand work, as far as they have gone. We believe that the church of Christ, visibly existing in its ministry and sacraments, is God's great instrument for throwing the serene light of the gospel into the darkened hearts of mankind. In starting and carrying on this church, therefore, we have entered upon a clear and straightforward course. No uncertain notes are here to be sounded; no vague signs are here to be made. Persons who resort to this church for direction in their duty, will be told that in baptism a man receives remission for his sins, and that in the supper of the Lord he receives superhuman strength to aid him in his struggle for heaven. They will be taught, however, that these sacraments are no charms, but that in order to be made effective to the soul's health, they must be received in deep and unfeigned repentance for sin, and in simple faith in the merits of Jesus Christ as the great Redeemer of the world. They [17/18] will be taught, moreover, that faith, to be satisfactory, must show itself in all the blessed works of love to God and goodwill to man that the Saviour proclaimed while sojourning upon earth. They will be taught not to rely in processes, in emotions, in states of mind, in looking at a past point of change in life; but that determined efforts at real growth in grace are the only evidence of the working out of that course of life which will finally, for Christ's sake, be entitled to heavenly rewards. Our compassionate Saviour healed the deaf man of Decapolis. Ephphatha unlocked his ears, and the finger's touch unloosed his tongue. We can work no miracles, but our efforts are tending to the utterance of this gracious word to the inner man of our deaf-mute brethren. Let us labor, then, cheerfully, that we may bring about the fulfillment of that prophecy of the great Isaiah, which applied not only to our Saviour's missions but, figuratively, to these latter days: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing." Letter of Mr. John Carlin. ________ [19] RT. REV. DR. WAINWRIGHT:-- MY DEAR BISHOP.--As you are to preside over the meeting convened to devise means for increasing the building fund to the desired amount, I deem it most proper to give you a few pertinent observations which I have made respecting Rev. Mr. Gallaudet's qualifications and capacities as a minister of religion in a church for deaf-mutes. At the meeting of last year, you asserted that you first doubted the practicability of that above-named gentleman's undertaking, though laudable it indeed appeared, because of the peculiar nature of our misfortune; but when he gave you an explicit explanation of the modus operandi of reciting the creed, you said you became fully confident of his ability and success in his novel, and apparently difficult, enterprise. Now, my dear sir, I am very happy to assure you that your confidence has not been misplaced; and that his qualifications as a shepherd ministering to the physical and spiritual wants of his flock, have given us all perfect satisfaction, and for his capacities of reciting the creed and of interpreting, by signs, his excellent verbally-written sermons, we feel it our duty to give him full credit. Moreover, his sterling virtues--as a man of strict veracity, honesty and justice--as a sincere and ever warm-hearted friend and advocate of the deaf and dumb--as a preacher of orthodox piety, and full of unaffected zeal and noble disinterestedness in what he is now at work, have endeared his illustrious name to the mute community. I have said his name is illustrious, because it was borne by one of the best men that the world has ever produced--his late father, whose eminent virtues and acts of philanthropy are too well known to need any comment. And as to his disinterestedness, it behooves me to say that he has never sought any pecuniary compensation for his labors, and that I, being myself a man of business, understanding the value of money, which, in the form of a salary, is indeed indispensable to the support of our minister, cannot but feel anxious to obtain and [19/20] secure it for him, and his successors, from the treasury of your wealthy church--I mean Trinity Church--in consideration that he has in his infant church no mute members who are men of wealth, with whom the churches of all denominations are blessed. Here I venture to hope that you will cheerfully lay this delicate subject for consideration before the vestry of said church. Concerning the building fund, it seems necessary to state that the New-York Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, whither we used to go and attend the chapel on Sundays, is to be removed to the new site, about eight miles from this city--thus rendering the distance too great for us to go thither for that purpose. Imagine how desolate will be the condition of the mute residents of this great city and her sister cities, without having a church of their own to attend. Must they, thus isolated by reason of their want of hearing from those who enjoy that precious blessing, allow their souls to be enthralled by stolid indifference towards religion? Your good heart will say, No! All the hearts of good men will re-echo no. For these weighty reasons, we are exceedingly desirous to have our church built with all possible despatch. Therefore, we respectfully solicit your goodness to request, through the medium of the press, all the churches of your own diocese, as well as those of the other States, and also the Protestant churches of other denominations, to contribute their mites towards that desideratum. And, in conclusion, this graceful act of benevolence on their part will be an incense grateful to our hearts, and sweet to the Triune God, whom by his majesty and fatherly love for us all, we, rescued from the thralldom of ignorance and heathenism, have been taught to fear and love; whom, by the sublime sacrifice of his Son's life upon the cross, we have learned to love and admire with mute contemplation; and whom, by his holiness, we have been admonished to worship and adore with mute, but deep veneration. I am, dear sir, yours, most respectfully, JOHN CARLIN. NEW-YORK, November 15, 1853. LINES BY A LADY RECENTLY DEPRIVED OF HEARING, THOUGH STILL RETAINING THE FACULTY OF SPEECH. YES, build for us a fane, O friends! that may remain A noble token of your heaven-born love; Where, gather'd in that fold, The wanderer may behold The path that leads through care to bliss above. Where we, the silent ones To whom sweet nature's tones Are like a sealed book to the curious eye, May learn, with thankful mind, Those cheering truths to find, Whose power can draw the sting from sorrow's sigh. Where we, who mark how greet Those favor'd friends who meet With smiles of gladness and with words that cheer, But turn on us, perchance, Only the pitying glance, May feel that we, as they, to God are dear. Where we, who tread each day, Lonely and sad, life's way, For converse yearning when all round us smile, May learn that He is nigh, Whose presence can supply, More than a brother's love--a solace all the while. Where, though no thrilling swell Of pealing organ tell To mortal ear the accents of our song-- Though never through the air Rejoicing angels bear Our supplications' sound to heaven's throng-- Yet shall the full heart pour From its abounding store An incense dearer than the censor's fume, And He, who claims as due The spirit's worship true, Shall with his Spirit's light the mind Illume. Where on the infant's brow, With prayer and solemn vow, The signing mark of Christ shall be imprest; And o'er the bonded head, When sacred hands are laid, Petitions rise that each in heav'n may rest. Where, in the holy bond, The pledged ones shall be joined, One to abide till death shall make them twain, And o'er the sever'd tie, The weeping heart and eye Be soothed with hope of meeting yet again. The hungry, thirsty soul, By faith's divine control, May feed on that blest food which satisfies; The humble penitent Shall feel, with glad content, The Saviour's love will not his tears despise. As drops of noiseless dew The drooping plants renew, That withering He beneath the scorching ray, Those voiceless words shall fall, Reviving, strengthening all Who, wearied, bear the burdens of life's day. Then, build for us a fane Where we, in joy or pain. May in our language e'er show forth our praise; And haply future time May wake your thankful chime, That ye this temple fair have help'd to raise. So on each gen'rous breast May choicest blessings rest From Him who gave these words our guide to be-- "Each seed of kindness shown "To e'en the lowliest one Of all my people, ye have shown to me!" [* St Matt. xxv, 40.] AN ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF A MEETING OF DEAF-MUTES, HELD IN THE SMALL CHAPEL OF THE UNIVERSITY, ON THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 1ST, 1853. The meeting having been called to order at the appointed time, on motion of Mr. Wm. Howell, Mr. John Carlin was elected Chairman. Mr. GENET nominated Mr. G. W. C. Gamage as Secretary. The latter requested a ballot, which having been taken, he was declared duly elected. Mr. CARLIN, in stating the object of the meeting, remarked that Rev. Mr. Gallaudet, who had so disinterestedly undertaken to carry out the project of erecting a church, in this city, for the use of deaf-mutes, which would be the first of its kind in the world, was so engaged with the duties of his Professorship in the Institution, and with the preparation of his sermons for Sunday, that it would not be just to allow the whole care of raising funds to devolve upon him. He would, therefore, suggest that an Executive Committee be appointed to push forward the work of soliciting subscriptions for the erection of the proposed church. This suggestion of Mr. Carlin having been approved of, the following gentlemen were, by ballot, chosen to compose the Committee, viz.: Messrs. G. W. C. GAMAGE, J. H. BENEDICT, WILLIAM HOWELL, WILLIAM GENET, JOSIAH JONES and ROBERT LEEDER. Mr. CARLIN was subsequently added thereto, in virtue of his office. [24] Mr. TRIST moved the following preamble and resolution, which were adopted:-- Whereas, there are a number of deaf-mutes having such an endowment of intelligence, combined with good taste and judgment, as should entitle them to the privilege of defining their views in relation to the proposed building for St. Ann's Church, and of representing the sentiments of the unfortunate community for whose use it is intended, therefore, Resolved, That the Executive Committee be empowered to cooperate with the Building Committee, to whom the erection of the proposed edifice may be entrusted. Mr. GAMAGE offered a short resolution in favor of the proposed undertaking, and said that about $6,000 had been already subscribed towards the building fund, but we still need $10,000 more. The excellent Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, where they have been accustomed to attend religious exercises on the Sabbath, is shortly to be removed, so that they will find it difficult to go there, as the distance is so great; and at that time, should there be no church erected, many deaf-mutes will thus be surrounded with such temptations as will lead them to ruin. In view of this, he would most respectfully call the attention of this meeting to this subject, and earnestly invite all present to contribute such sums as may be in their power towards the erection of the church. Mr. GENET suggested that the clergymen of the different churches favorable to the objects of the meeting, should be requested to make collections in their several churches for the building fund. Mr. GAMAGE presented resolutions expressive of the deep and sincere thanks of the meeting to Bishop Wainwright, and the benevolent gentlemen who composed the committee of which he was the chairman, and to their pastor, Rev. Mr. Gallaudet, for his zeal and untiring kindness in attending to their moral welfare. [25] A final resolution was put by Mr. BENEDICT, that the newspapers of this city be requested to publish the proceedings of this meeting, in order that the community may understand that the deaf-mutes desire to have an agent of their own to solicit subscriptions to complete the building fund for the proposed church, as soon as possible. This, and the other resolutions, were carried unanimously. Rev. Mr. GALLAUDET returned his acknowledgments for the expression of kind feelings to him. A vote of thanks was then passed to the Press, on motion of Mr. HOWELL which was briefly responded to by one of the reporters present, being interpreted by Mr. Gallaudet. Mr. CHAMBERLAYNE moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Augustin Averill, for his kindness in taking charge of the building fund. The meeting was closed with prayer and the benediction by Rev. Mr. GALLAUDET. DONATIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND OF ST. ANN'S CHURCH FOR DEAF-MUTES. ________ $500--A Friend $500.00--Mrs. Loring, of Boston $500.00--Miss Abby Loring $714.07--Net proceeds of an Exhibition given by the N. Y. Institution for Deaf Mutes, at Niblo's, thro' Dr. Peet. $200.00--Miss C. A. Hedges $120.00--Augustin Averill $100.00--Walter R. Jones; Spofford & Tileston; Josiah S. Bennet; Cyrus Curtiss; G. S. Robbins; August Belmont; Robert D. Weeks; E. G. Faile; Mrs. P. G. Stuyvesant; N. Denton, of Geneva; John C. Green; W. H. Aspinwall; J. Caswell; Henry Shelden; Henry Dwight, Jr.; A. Norrie; John A. Underwood; Mrs. Banyer and Miss Jay; Mrs. Cornelia W. Thompson of Boston. $50.00--Henry Coit; John D. Jones; J. W. Alsop; Deforest Maurice; Wm. B. Campbell; James Nack; James W. Underhill; Robert B. Minturn; Mrs. S. F B. Morse of Poughkeepsie; Mrs. Remsen; Commodore Skinner of Washington; Shepherd Knapp; Anson G. Phelps; L. M. Hoffman $32.00--Subscriptions thro' Miss C. E. Clark $30.00--Josiah L. Hale $28.00--Subscriptions thro' Mrs. Williamson, of Gravesend, L. I. $25.00--P. Nelson Spofford; Daniel H. Arnold; Henry H. Elliott; John W. Culbert; Alexander Fraser; Grant & Barton; Mrs. Okill; B.H. Field; Philip Dater; John L. Aspinwall; H. A. Chittenden; John Jay; William Douglass; S. W. Goodridge; Caleb Barstow; A Friend; C. H. Marshall; G. B. Lamar; Levi Cook; T. C. Doremus; James K. Taylor; R. S. Fellowes; Henry Cary; H. S. Zerbell; J. H. Young; William A. Smith; W.M. Moore; Robert C. Goodhue;  Cash; S. Cantrell; J. Sturges; H. C. Olyphant; David Hadden & Son. $20.00--A Friend; Orlando Wood, Rev Dr. Pyne, of Washington. $15.00--Morris Earle. $11.27 Savings of Wallis Berrien (deceased) $10.00--Cornelius Oakley; A lady, through Dr. Cock; Mr. Robison; Cyrus W. Field & Co.; Cash; F. W. Hotchkiss; C. C. Carrow; W. H. Smith; Simeon Draper; R. L. & A. Stuart; W. A. Haines; Mrs. A. A. Meats of Washington; M. O. Roberts; T. O. LeRoy & Co.; Robert Gracie; A Friend. $8.70--Mrs. Crolius $7.00--Pupils of T. Gallaudet $6.00--Charles Denison $5.00--Croney & Lent; Duncan C. Pell; Miss Susan Swift; Cash; N. S. Ludlam; Cash by Mrs. Park; Cash; T. K. Lees; Mr. Whitehouse; Mr. Ogden; Rt. Rev. Bishop Kemper; Frederick Harter; Mr. and Mrs. John Carlin; Miss Neilson; Cash. The subscriptions in Washington city were obtained through the exertions of Mr. I. W. Compton, a deaf-mute young gentleman, who has a clerkship in the Treasury Department. Our acknowledgments are due Mr. John T. Boyd, for his liberality in sending throughout the city, free of charge, between seven and eight hundred circular. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource STATEMENTS RESPECTING ST. ANN'S CHURCH FOR DEAF-MUTES PRESENTED AT A PUBLIC MEETING IN THE LARGE CHAPEL OF THE UNIVERSITY, WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 16, 1853, TOGETHER WITH AN ABSTRACT OF THE Proceedings of a Meeting held by Deaf-Mutes, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 1st, 1853 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived via <a href="http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/gallaudet/statements1853.html">Project Canterbury</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available George F. Nesbitt and Co. Printers Corner of Wall and Water Streets Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1853 Type The nature or genre of the resource Book Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Documents hosted on Project Canterbury are believed to be in the public domain unless otherwise indicated; for-profit use of any material on this site is explicitly forbidden. Reproduction for study or religious purposes is permitted under the terms of the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/">Creative Commons Deed</a>. https://dev.jannellelegg.com/files/original/acf46ecfe9e55a006029177cdddc6bae.jpg 4322f21fda0564d959d6d325cde490a7 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Engraving Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource St. Ann's Church for Deaf-Mutes Description An account of the resource Frontispiece for First Annual Report Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Church Mission to Deaf Mutes Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1873 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain https://dev.jannellelegg.com/files/original/856daf3c592ecb640d06ae0d343847bc.png 8e73a25513581fa7260cb5fcc8c0bd17 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document CHURCH FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. [By a brief notice in our last number, information was given concerning the undertaking of the Rev. Mr. Gallaudet, in behalf of the educated deaf mutes cf the city of New York. As an evidence that matters are going on toward a successful issue, We give the following report of a public meeting which was held on Thursday evening, the 3rd of March last, in the small chapel of the University; which has been sent to us for publication in the ANNALS EDITOR] AT half past seven o’clock, Rt. Rev. Dr. Wainwright, the Provisional Bishop of the Diocese of New a York, took the chair, and having opened the meeting with prayer, briefly stated the object which had called together so many friends of the deaf and dumb. He alluded to the large number of deaf mutes in the city who are deprived of the ordinary access to the means of grace, and said that they had assembled to consider a plane which had been proposed, to offer to this class of persons the privilege of public worship in their own language of signs. Having spoken of the qualifications of Mr. Gallaudet to enter upon this sphere of usefulness, and of the intimate social relations which existed between him and that portion of the community for. whom he desired specially to labor, the Bishop remarked, that this idea of establishing a church. for deaf mutes was not an untried scheme, for the experiment had already been tried for five months, in that very room, with a truly encouraging result. On motion of Gen. Wetmore, seconded by Dr. Peet, President of the New York lnstitutioni for the Deaf and Dumb, Professor Jacob Van Nostrand was appointed the Secretary of the meeting. [170] Mr. Gallaudet then came forward and spoke substantially as follows: Right Reverend Sir, Ladies and Gentlemen: It would be a pleasing task for me to- trace the rise and progress of the education of deaf mutes, from the establishment of the Institution at Hartford, Conn., to the one which has been recently founded in Louisiana, making fifteen now in active operation in different parts of the country; to tell of the persevering and self-denying labors of those who have consecrated their time and their talents to this great work; and to notice the various improvements which have been made in the process of shedding light upon minds so long shroud. ed in darkness; but time will not permit me to take up so vast a subject. I have called you together, my Christian brethren, that I may speak to you of a humble project of my own, and let me, I beseech you, tell a plain and unvarnished tale. When I make use of the pronoun I, do not consider me egotistical, but rather look upon me as an instrument in the hands of Providence; for really, when I look back upon What has been accomplished, it seems as if I had done nothing of myself. The successive events which have thus far taken place are simply these. In the summer of 1850, I was, in the providence of God, admitted to the precious privileges and great responsibilities of a minister of Christ. Soon afterward, my attention was particularly turned toward the deaf-mute residents of this city, and I felt it to be -my duty to do something for their improvement. Having obtained permission from the rector and vestry of St. Stephen’s Church to use the vestry-room, I appointed a weekly evening gathering of deaf mutes, at which I might use with them some short devotional exercises, explain to them a portion of Scripture, and give them some general information upon various topics of interest. For several Weeks the number in attendance was only four or five. But soon it increased so rapidly that we were obliged to seek out other quarters, and finally removed to the schoolroom, No. 59 Bond St., where the meetings are still held on Friday evening. The average attendance has been thirty or [171] thirty-five, there having been present on several occasions, fifty or sixty. At length the idea forced itself upon my- mind, that ought to attempt to gather these persons around me in pastoral relations, and to establish for them a church. This idea gained strength from time to time, and having obtained the unanimous consent of the rectors of the different Episcopal churches in this city, I commenced holding the regular services of our church on the first Sunday of October, 1852, in this room in which we are now assembled. I have the morning service with the voice, that the parents, children, other relatives and friends of deaf mutes, may have the opportunity of joining with them in forming one parish. The afternoon I devote to the deaf mutes, translating to them our service,-and preaching the same sermon which I use in the forenoon. The deaf mutes have apparently taken great interest in this service, and have been present several times to the number of seventy and eighty. The responses of the service are at present given only by Mr. Gamage, a deaf mute gentleman, connected with the Institution as an instructor, but I entertain the opinion that eventually, the whole congregation will be able to unite in them. The Holy Communion is administered on the third Sunday of every month, and among the communicants there are twelve deaf mutes. I have had occasion to use among this class of persons all the offices of our church, except that for the burial of the dead. I desire to express my gratitude for the great kindness which a has been shown toward my project on all sides, and especially--for the liberal appropriation of three hundred dollars, made by the vestry of Trinity Church for the payment of the rent of this chapel during the present year. The practical question now arises, shall we have —a church building in which to assemble for public worship, and attached to which there can be a lecture-room, reading-room, and library, for the moral and intellectual improvement of the persons whose cause I plead this evening? If I can secure a piece of ground, I have no doubt at all as to the feasibility of raising money enough to erect the church, and I shall be more than satisfied if the obtaining of the ground is [172] effected by this meeting. I do not ask for a large church~ two common lots will be amply sufiicient. May I not hope to have them speedily? After his address, at the request of the bishop, and with a view of showing the definite and precise character of the sign-language, Mr. Gallaudet translated the creed, explaining the particular significance of each sign as he proceeded, After which he repeated it, without interruption, in the same way as he would do in divine service. There were quite a number of deaf mutes present at this meeting, for the benefit of whom, Mr. Gallaudet reported the proceedings and speeches, in which they took a lively interest. Mr. Robert Gracie moved the following resolution: “Resolved, That a committee of twelve be appointed to counsel and assist Rev. Mr. Gallaudet, in carrying out the details of his undertaking.” Mr. Gracie expressed his interest in the work and his readiness to cooperate in it. Mr. Wetmore said it gave him pleasure to second the motion of his friend, Mr. Gracie. He had long been an attentive observer of the benevolent efforts of Mr. Gallaudet to promote the present and future welfare of the deaf and dumb, and was happy in the opportunity of bearing testimony to the merits of this most excellent enterprise. It would not be expected of him to speak of what had been done, or what was yet to be accomplished for the benefit of that interesting portion of the human family. There sat beside him one far better qualified to discuss that subject, and whose opinions would be entitled to much greater weight than any which he, Mr. W., could advance. The gentleman to whom he referred—President Peet—-had endeared himself to every friend of deaf-mute education; his name had become memorable in the annals of science; and his works of benevolence would secure to him a monument more enduring than marble. Mr. Wetmore said he was proud of the city in which his lot was cast, for the number and the excellence of its chari- [173] table and religious institutions, He sincerely hoped that these good works would be still further extended, and that among the first to receive assurance of a cordial and adequate support, would be that so ably presented to the notice of the meeting by Gallaudet. After some further observations, Mr. Wetmore expressed his earnest hoped that those who shared in the wealth and public spirit of the community, would bid Mr. Gallaudet God-speed in his undertaking. Gen. J. Watson Webb, editor of the Courier and Enquirer, then moved the following resolution : "Resolved, That the object brought before this meeting by Rev. Thomas Gallaudet, is one calculated to call forth the cordial encouragement and support of this community.” ln moving this resolution, Gen. ,Webb said, that though he had come to this meeting feeling not a little interested in its object, yet it had been with a belief that no such plan was at present feasible. He was now satisfied on that point. The statements of Mr. Gallaudet had removed all his doubts and difficulties. The object should receive his hearty advocacy and aid; and he had no doubt that the liberality of the citizens of New York would soon bring the experiment to a successful issue. The resolution was seconded by Dr. Peet, who spoke as follows: From my position it may be expected, that I should express some opinion in relation to the enterprise, to promote, which, is the object of our present meeting. The deaf-mute population of this city, numbering as has been stated, from a hundred to a hundred and thirty, is made up for the most part of those who have been inmates of the institution under my care ; the remainder are foreigners principally from Germany: and the British Isles, and those who have been instructed in other American institutions. It were unnatural to suppose that, after laboring for so many years to bring, them from the lowest point, I had almost said, of intellectual existence, to the dignity of social and thinking beings, when they leave us we should cease [174] to feel an interest in their welfare. As a son, who has reached his majority, leaves the home of his childhood, and goes——it may be far away——to work out his own destiny, is followed .by the benedictions and prayers of his anxious parents; so these graduates of our institution continue to be the objects of our earnest solicitude, and to receive, as circumstances may require, our counsel and encouragement wherever, in the providence of God, their lot may be cast. We have in our institution no church organization. To incorporate such a feature into our system of instruction would not be politic or wise. Our pupils come to us from different denominations of Christians, and we do not directly interfere with the peculiarities of their religious belief. But it must not hence be inferred that religion is not inculcated, or that we fail to bring to our aid its sanctions in our system of government and instruction. The Bible, which is acknowledged by all sects, is the broad platform on which we stand. We teach the historic truths which it reveals; the existence and attributes of its great Author; the relations which subsist between him and his creatures, and the duties which on their part grow out of these relations. We trace the lives of those “who through faith and patience have inherited the promises.” We explain its divine precepts, its precious promises, its awful warnings. In short, we hold up this sacred book, which inculcates individual, personal accountability, and reveals the conditions of our acceptance with God, as the only rule of faith and practice. With minds stored with such truths and such principles of action, they leave us, and our responsibility ceases. Many of them are pious, and join such churches as they, or their friends may select. Others, still, by the blessing of God, on the perusal of his word and the simple lectures to which they attended on the Sabbath while at school—a copy of which they carry away with them—become converted, and attach themselves to the company of the redeemed. Most of them are isolated and widely separated from each other; and though they may be constant attendants upon the public [175] ministrations of the sanctuary, are yet precluded by the nature of their infirmity, from the privilege of social worship. But in this citythe case is different. Here is the home of a considerable number, Which is increased by imrnigrations from the country and from abroad——influenced by alike motive that leads professional and business men to resort hither. What reason can exist for withholding from them the means of grace within the reach of their more favored brethren who hear; the social and public worship of God; a pastor to break to them the bread of life——-to visit them in their afflictions——to gather their children into a Sunday-school—and to instruct and guide them in their way to heaven? To neglect them would be a dereliction of duty. ‘Said our Saviour, “the poor -ye have with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good.” The deaf mute may be embraced in this category, and during the period of his earthly ministry, no class of the afflicted received from him more compassionate attentions than they. In their deprivation and comparative obscurity, they are less influenced -by public opinion than other men. But like other men they are susceptible to sympathy and kindness. In a great city like this, where temptation meets them at every" corner, they are in danger of being enticed to places of improper resort, and liable to contract habits, and vices, and diseases, which will prove their ruin. Hence, they should be sought out, and encouraged to place themselves under the protecting shield of the gospel. It was remarked by Dr. Franklin, that the influence of the ‘Sabbath Would be great, if it produced no other effect than ‘to induce‘ men to wash their faces and hands and put on clean linen. But how mighty must this influence be, if, in addition to the formation of habits of personal cleanliness, it were to interrupt their worldly associations, and lead their minds to the contemplation of those great truths which pertain to their everlasting well-being. Should a place of public Worship for deaf mutes be permanently established in this city, some, who would not otherwise go any where, might be induced to come at first from [176] motives of curiosity, and finding its exercises interesting and instructive, might, by a little encouragement, become constant attendants. The distance of the Institution from the mass of the population, unpleasant weather, and the necessity of using a public conveyance, must render it inconvenient, if not impracticable, at times, even for those who value religious instruction, to be regular in their attendance upon the services of our chapel. But not only in a religious point of view is the enterprise in question important, but the collateral advantages are by no means inconsiderable. The deaf mute needs a friend to whom he can look for encouragement in his daily employment——one whom he can consult in the purchase and sale of property, in the execution of contracts, to see that he is not overreached and defrauded, and make explanations so as to secure a good understanding between him and his employer. But we derive an argument in favor of this undertaking from its indirect advantages, by contrasting the condition of the adult deaf and dumb, in London for instance, where no provision exists for their religious instruction and personal visitation. At the lowest computation, there are in that city one thousand deaf mutes, and the number has been estimated as high as fifteen hundred, a majority of whom may, perhaps, have been in some one or other of the English schools. In those schools pupils are received at a younger, and consequently leave at an earlier age, than in our American institutions. This course of policy is dictated by a desire to apprentice them at trades at the proper age—-—for such is the tone of public sentiment in England, that no deaf mute can find employment as a journeyman, unless he has passed through a regular apprenticeship. From the fact that the mind of a deaf mute is developed more slowly than that of a hearing child, it must be evident that his attainments, on leaving school at the age of fourteen or fifteen, must be very imperfect, even under the best intellectual training. Added to this his want of practical knowl- [177] edge.— the contrast between the workshop and the school— and the imperfect medium of intercourse between him and his master— it is not surprising that he should become impatient and dissatisfied. This feeling, which may have been produced or increased, in some cases, by the treatment of the master himself, must render him less attentive and faithful. Hence the master’s interests become affected—misunderstanding ensues— the indentures are broken, and the boy leaves his place. Such cases—and they are not unfrequent-— are deplorable; but those of the uninstructed still more so. In view of the destitution of this large class of persons, a society was formed a few years ago for their benefit. I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of its committee in the summer of 1851, convened to inquire if something could not be done to invigorate it, which, even then, had fallen into decay. Some of the features embodied in its programme of operations were impracticable, and hence too expensive and unwieldy. I have recently received intelligence that it has been given up. But had it confined itself to the two objects which I trust are contemplated in this undertaking, viz., biblical instruction and worship on the Sabbath, and a kind visitation and encouragement in their secular affairs, it would have proved an efficient agency for good. But though, in contrasting the condition of the deaf and dumb in this city, with that of those in the great metropolis of England, the advantage may be found on the side of the former, by reason of the difference in the usages of society, the conventional rules which regulate labor, and the greater experience and practical tact in some handicraft, which our pupils have acquired while under instruction; yet it is not such as to exempt them from trials and embarrassments, or render undesirable the interposition of kind oflices by. some friend and counselor. And who can better perform such offices than he to whom they are accustomed to look as their spiritual guide and pastor? One word more, Mr. President, and I have done. Nearly thirty-six years ago, the system of deaf-mute instruction was introduced into this country by the Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet, [178] who first employed the language of signs as the medium of devotion and of social and public worship. In every institution which has since been established, this feature is embodied in its system of instruction. The son, following in the footsteps of the father, is the first to organize a church of the deaf and dumb, and institute a form of service conducted in this silent language addressed only to the eye. May it be his happiness and reward to know, “when the Lord writeth up the people, that this man was born there.” With these remarks I cordially second the resolution. The next resolution was then moved by Rev. Dr. Haight, professor in the Episcopal General Theological Seminary. “Resolved, That St. Ann’s Church for the deaf mutes be commended to the favorable consideration of the clergy and laity of this city and vicinity, with the earnest expectation that its services may, ere long, be held in an appropriate ed. ifice, consecrated. to Almighty God.” Dr. Haight maintained that it was manifestly the duty of the Church, at once to press forward and occupy any field which the hand of Providence had evidently opened before her. Here they found such a case. The field was ready; there was no one else prepared or desirous to occupy it. There was the man, whose peculiar training had made him, of all others, the fittest for the execution of a work like this; and it was therefore the.bounden duty of the Church to strengthen his hands, and support him freely and fully. But besides the naked duty, it was a case singularly interesting, and qualified to enlist the feelings and sympathies of the community at large. He gave it his hearty approbation, and promised to use his best efforts to insure its success. The resolution was seconded by Rev. G. T. Bedell, rector of the Church of the Ascension, who warmly commended the design, and spoke favorably of Mr. Gallaudet. It was the duty of the church toimprove the advantage thus held out to her. He alluded to the isolation of the deaf and dumb, and the fact that they were beyond the reach of the ordinary means of grace. The gospel is now made to reach to distant heathen nations. But, without the execution of [179] this design, we should eventually have among us a class of unfortunates, who would be more inaccessible to the gospel than even the heathen themselves. Mr. John Carlin, the distinguished deaf-mute artist, delivered a brief address in the sign-language, which was translated by Prof. Bartlett. Mr. Carlin said that though he was a Presbyterian himself, yet he rejoiced in the privilege afforded him of public worship through the ministrations of Mr. Gallaudet, and hoped that this movement might result in great good to all deaf mutes. Prof. Van Nostrand very briefly expressed his good-wishes for the success of the undertaking, and pointed out some of the important advantages which must thereby accrue to that portion of the community, in whose welfare he and his colleagues took such a deep interest. He cordially concurred in the remarks of Dr. Peet. The resolutions were unanimously adopted. A gentleman then rose and said that though unaccustomed to speak in public, he could not refrain from expressing his interest in the undertaking, and pledged himself to raise five hundred dollars in furtherance of the object. Gen. Wetmore stated that he was authorized by Dr. Peet to say, that he would give an exhibition of the pupils of the Institution, the net proceeds of which would be devoted to the proposed church. The president of the meeting having been authorized to appoint the committee, made it to consist of the following gentlemen : The Rev. Drs. Haight, Vinton and Cutler; Rev. Messrs. Bedell, Geer and Weston; Messrs. Wetmore, Webb, Gracie, Curtiss, Weeks and Winthrop. Bishop Wainwright, Dr. Peet and Mr. Augustin Averill were subsequently added to this committee. On motion of Dr. Peet the meeting adjourned. [180] CHURCH FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB The undersigned, appointed a Committee, at a meeting held on Thursday, the third day of March, instant, to consider the expediency of providing a permanent place of worship for the deaf and dumb, submit the following statement: The number of the deaf and dumb, at present residing in this city, and who are chiefly the graduates of our Institution, is not far from one. hundred. This class of persons will increase with the increase of the general population, so‘ that instead of being reckoned by tens, as they now are, the time is not remote, when they will be counted by hundreds; for the same motives, which induce professional and business men to resort hither, will also lead them to select the city as the place of their residence. Since it must be obvious, from the nature of their infirmity, that they can not enjoy the privilege of public worship, conducted in the ordinary mode through the medium of vocal speech, it is the dictate of Christian philanthropy to make provision to meet their spiritual wants, by the erection of a church edifice, and by instituting a form of service adapted to their condition, in which they can participate intelligibly and profitably through the medium. of their own vernacular language of signs. No man can habitually absent himself from the ministrations of God’s house, without endangering his best interests for eternity; and the deaf and dumb, though compelled from necessity to forego these privileges, are not an exception to this remark, especially, as some of them are wholly untaught, and others still have too imperfect acquaintance with language to understand written discourse. Their only means, then, for religious instruction and improvement is through the language of action. But not to dwell upon the importance of this enterprise, in a religious point of view, which none can question, there are many collateral advantages which plead earnestly in its behalf. It is reasonable to hope that it will lead them to a better observance of the Lord’s day; withdraw them from temptation, or give them strength to resist it; inculcate the virtues of industry, frugality, temperance; promote their intellectual improvement, and by awakening mutual sympathy, prompt to acts of charity and benevolence. This undertaking is not to be regarded in the light of an experiment merely. For five months past a small congregation of deaf mutes has been assembled on the Lord’s day, in the small chapel of the University, which enjoys the ministrations of the Rev. Thomas Gallaudet, one of the professors in our Institution, through whose commendable efforts it has been gathered. A Church has been organized under the sanction of the Provisional Bishop of the Diocese; the Communion has been celebrated, and there are several prepared to present themselves for’ ‘Confirmation. In view of the foregoing brief statement of the wants of the deaf and dumb, and of what has already been done in their behalf, the way is prepared for an urgent appeal to the benevolent and wealthy of our citizens for funds to erect a Church for their benefit. To secure this object the sum of twenty thousand dollars is needed. The appeal is made in the confident belief that it will-be heard and answered. No class of the afllicted, during the personal ministrations of our Saviour, received from him more compassionate attentions than they. [181] By the blessing of God on this instrumentality, their temporal interests will be promoted, and they will be taught to look with the eye of faith to that better land, where tears shall be wiped from all faces, and where the ears, closed to all earthly music, shall waken to the symphonies of angels’ harps. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” JONA. M. WAINWRIGHT, CYRUS CURTIS, BENJAMIN C. CUTLER, ROBERT D. WEEKS, BENJAMIN I. HAIGHT, PROSPER M. WETMOBE, GREGORY T. BEDELL, BENJAMIN R. WINTHROP, FRANCIS VINTON, HARVEY P. PEET, G. JARVIS GEER, ROBERT GRACIE, SULLIVAN H. WESTON, AUGUSTIN AVERILL, J. WATSON WEBB, W. A: SPENCER. New York, March 14, 1353. *** Subscriptions will be gratefully received by either of the above named Committee, or by Mr. Averill, who has kindly consented to act as Treasurer. His address is No. 47 South Street. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Journal article Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Church for the Deaf and Dumb Description An account of the resource Article on the creation of services for the deaf in New York. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rev. Thomas Gallaudet Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The American Annals for the Deaf and Dumb Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available <a href="https://gaislandora.wrlc.org/islandora/object/americanannals%3A15432/pages">via Gallaudet University Archives</a> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1853-04 https://dev.jannellelegg.com/files/original/ea2eaa498a82af5bc134e9d82fb620bb.png a6c46f380368612726607d6fc2ec9f4e https://dev.jannellelegg.com/files/original/c87490ff2f172b6aca3715c985f864dd.pdf b8c021ab1afe73ae237ac0f75054929a Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document PREACHING TO THE DEAF AND DUMB. MANY of our readers may have heard of the church for deaf-mutes in Eighteenth Street in this city; but few, we presume, have witnessed its services, and all will be glad to see the faithful picture given on the preceding page. The first services of this church were conducted by its present rector, the Rev. Thomas Gallaudet, in the smaller chapel of the New York University, on the first Sunday of October, 1852. In this place it struggled for existence during five years, gradually gaining in strength and means, until its removal to the Lecture-room of the New York Historical Society Building, corner of Second Avenue and Eleventh Street. Here its prospects improved so much that it was deemed expedient to purchase, in July last, the church and parsonage in West Eighteenth Street, originally built by Christ Church. In this church its services began on the first Sunday of August, 1859. Since then it has steadily worked its way toward permanent success. In this church are gathered adult deaf-mutes (graduates of various Institutions), their families, and others willing to promote their welfare, the Sunday services being oral at half-past ten A.M. and half-past seven P.M., and in the sign-language at three P.M. We present a sketch of the latter service as the Rector and his silent congregation appeared on Sunday afternoon, March 11. The deaf-mute young man at the lecturn was acting as clerk, giving the responses in the service according to the common Prayer-book. The rector translated on this occasion the parable of the Prodigal Son. This church is doing great good among the deaf-mute residents of this city and its vicinity. Its rector makes it his duty to visit deaf-mutes in their seasons of sickness and trouble, and to endeavor to help them to situations in which to earn their daily bread. Since he left his position as instructor in the New York Institution for the Deaf and Dumb in the fall of 1858, he has found, by personal application, situations for upward of fifty deaf-mutes. This is the first church of its kind in the world. Within the past year a similar one has been established in London. We close this brief sketch with a list of its present vestry: C. C. Lathrop and S. R. Comstock, Wardens; George R. Jackson, W. O. Fitzgerald, Josiah Jones, John O. Bronson, M.D., C. A. Budd, M.D., Franklin Campbell, D. Reynolds Budd, and James L. Harris, Vestrymen. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Article Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Preaching to the Deaf and Dumb Description An account of the resource Article with engraving depicting Rev. Thomas Gallaudet holding a signed service at St. Ann's Church. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Harper's Weekly Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006963360;view=1up;seq=167">via Hathi Trust</a> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1860-03-24 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain