Anecdotes & Incidents Of The Deaf And Dumb Part 4

"NOTHING BAD."

On entering the school room one morning, one of the little deaf and dumb girls quickly turned over her slate, and colouring in the face. The teacher asked, "What have you been doing?" The girl signed, in reply, "Nothing bad, sir." On turning over the slate we found the girl had written "Drunkenness clothes a man with rags."

A SAD CASE.

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T---- L---- lived near Derby. Hers was a sad case--deaf, dumb, and so nearly blind that she had to be led about; moreover, she suffered from extreme weakness in the legs, and was delicate on the chest. Her father being dead, it was difficult for her to obtain the necessaries of life, and it was thought the workhouse must be her future home. The case was brought under the notice of the Committee of the Deaf and Dumb Inst.i.tution at Derby, who decided not to let her go into the workhouse without trying what could be done for her. Accordingly she came under their care, and gradually became stronger; but the difficulties in the way of her education, owing to her sight, were not easily overcome, in fact she had to be taught as one perfectly deaf, dumb, and blind. She however made good progress, and is now a good tempered, hard working girl, actually earning her own living. She can wash and scour and knit and sew quite as well as many persons blessed with the senses of sight and hearing. She frequently attends the meetings for the adult deaf and dumb, and always has something interesting to say, especially on religious subjects.

A DEAF AND DUMB CLERGYMAN.

Among those who were ordained deacons on Trinity Sunday last year by the Bishop of Winchester was Mr. R. A. Pearce, who is deaf and dumb, and who is to devote himself specially to Missionary work among the deaf mutes in the diocese of Winchester. The Rev. C. M. Owen, Secretary to the Mission, believes that this is the first instance of a deaf and dumb man being ordained in the Church of England.--_Irish Ecclesiastical Gazette_.

The Rev. R. A. Pearce has had the honour of being presented to the Queen. Mr. Pearce has visited the Inst.i.tution for the Deaf and Dumb at Derby.

A DEAF MUTE'S BEAUTIFUL ANSWER.

The Rev. R. Stewart says: "I knew of a gentleman who went to a Deaf and Dumb Asylum to make known to the inmates the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. He asked questions by means of writing them on a blackboard. One day he wrote the question, 'What does G.o.d do with the sins of the people who believe in Him?' One of the lads wrote below the question, 'All our sins were written in G.o.d's book, but Jesus came and drew His bleeding hand across the pages where the sins of the people were entered who believe in Him; thus covering over with His own blood the transgressions of His people.' Was this poor deaf and dumb lad right? Yes, indeed, for 'The blood of Jesus Christ, G.o.d's Son, cleanseth us from _all_ sin.'"

"I MUST HELP."

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The following little incident will show how interested the deaf and dumb are in trying to help Inst.i.tutions struggling to obtain monetary support in order to admit the numerous cases pressing for admission. A number of the pupils from the Inst.i.tution at Derby were present at a meeting, when the head master was advocating its claims for support. At the close of the meeting a deaf and dumb young man came up and said, "I have been very pleased with what I saw the children do, they will soon be very clever. I hope the people will all help you; other people helped me to get a good education, now _I must help_ others who are deaf and dumb to go to school. I will try and collect 5 for you." True to his promise he did collect 5, and sent it saying, "Next year I must try and collect 10." A little time since he called at the Inst.i.tution with the handsome sum of 10, which he had collected in pence from 371 persons. Several other deaf mutes have shown their interest by collecting 1 to 3 from time to time.

CANON FARRAR WITH THE DEAF AND DUMB.

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The _Was.h.i.+ngton Post_ gives an account of Canon Farrar's visit to that city. He was interviewed by one of their reporters as to what he thought of the place, and he replied that he was greatly pleased, but what interested him most was the Deaf Mute College. He was of opinion there was nothing of its kind in the world. The Canon was conducted through the College by Dr. Gallaudet, the president, who explained to him the various arrangements, after which Mr. Olof Hanson, a Swede, who has mastered English since the loss of his hearing, delivered orally the following address:--Two and a half centuries ago the Pilgrim Fathers laid the foundation of the nation. America may in a sense be called the child of England--and a well-grown child, of which she need not be ashamed. In visiting this country, therefore, you do not, we trust, feel like a stranger, but, as it were, among relatives and friends.

Archdeacon Farrar is no stranger to us; his beautiful "Life of Christ"

is a well-known volume in many a public and private American library, and there are few who have not read his n.o.ble eulogy on our departed hero, General Grant. As a friend then, we bid him welcome. Permit me now to say a few words about the instruction of the deaf in this country. In 1817 the first deaf mute school in America was founded at Hartford, Connecticut; there are now upwards of sixty schools for the deaf and dumb in the United States, and to day more than 7000 pupils receiving instruction. The minds of the deaf are just like those of other people, and only need to be developed. Although the avenue of the ear is closed, through the other senses information is imparted, and sight, being the most convenient, is chiefly made use of in instructing the deaf; but to teach them persons of experience and intelligence are required, and to obtain such teachers money is necessary. Our Government has wisely recognised this, and it accordingly makes liberal provision for educating the deaf, as well as the hearing, all our inst.i.tutions being supported mainly by the Government. It was long doubted that the deaf could master the higher branches of study, and it has been reserved for this college to see if they can. In this country we have the deaf as teachers, lawyers, chemists, artists, clergymen, editors, &c. Many take a most creditable rank among the hearing persons in their professions.

Among the graduates of this college will be found some of the most intelligent and best educated deaf mutes in the world. The college is the only one of its kind in existence. Two young men from the old world have come all the way here to obtain an education which they could not get at home. They are cordially welcomed, and we hope many more will come until the time arrives when they have a college of their own, where they may acquire the advantages of a high and liberal education. Mr.

Francis Maginn, son of the Rev. C. A. Maginn, county Cork, was then introduced to Canon Farrar, and his address read by Dr. Gallaudet. "As one of the two students from Europe just alluded to by my friend, I have the pleasure of welcoming my distinguished countryman, Archdeacon Farrar, to Was.h.i.+ngton. Having acquired the rudiments of my education in the metropolis of Great Britain, where you from Sunday to Sunday expound the unsearchable riches of Christ, and being a native of Ireland, where my father ministers in the Church of Ireland, it is but natural I should express my deep gratification that you should have come amongst my American brethren in affliction. I am sure, sir, that you have felt as I have done when coming to the great and prosperous United States, that the American people is one of which we may well be proud--a great and highly civilised people, with whom we are connected by every tie of blood, and every relation of business--they are a people who bear our civilisation, in many things improved, our language, literature, laws, and religion. In an educational point of view the nation is prominent, and her silent children have the advantages of s.p.a.cious inst.i.tutions, supported by her revenues. It is greatly to be regretted that our brethren in Great Britain enjoy none of these elaborate advantages of intellectual culture. Whilst Mr. Foster's Act benefits thousands, and while $15,000,000 are annually voted for the ma.s.ses, one third of the mutes of right school age are being left uneducated. What that means, the English have no conception, or they would not be apathetic or unconcerned; no cla.s.s when uneducated is more entirely cut off from all human intercourse than the deaf and dumb." The Canon, in reply, expressed his thanks for the cordial reception given him, and concluded with a short prayer, which was interpreted by Dr. Gallaudet, President of the Deaf and Dumb College.

DEAF AND DUMB SOLDIERS.

During the Franco-German War, an army corps of 400 deaf and dumb Frances-Tireurs were led to battle against the Germans.--_Paris Journal._

ROBERT S. LYONS.

Robert S. Lyons went about Ireland last summer visiting the deaf and dumb, and talking to them about Jesus. He was then home for vacation from America, where he had gone to study, in order to fit himself to be a missionary to the deaf and dumb. We all hoped that he would have entered on his duties as such this summer, and that many of his deaf country men and women would have been helped by him on the way to heaven. But G.o.d has ordered it otherwise. He died at his father's residence, near Newtownstewart, after a long and painful illness, on the evening of Friday, the 5th of June last.

Mr. Francis Maginn, who is also deaf and dumb, went with Robert Lyons to America last autumn, and left his studies in the College that he might take care of him on the journey home, has written some reminiscences of his friend, of which the following is a part:--

"It was my privilege to be his companion on his return to Was.h.i.+ngton, and to share the same rooms. He spent much time in Bible reading and prayer. He was attacked in February last with a serious illness, which he bore with wonderful patience. At one time his death was expected. We sat up one night watching for his last breath, but life was lengthened.

He seemed to improve for a while, and was able to go out for a drive in the President's carriage. Every comfort was his, supplied by the kind ladies of Dr. Gallaudet's family. Flowers, books, pictures; every delicacy possible constantly sent to tempt the appet.i.te; but his strength scarcely increased.

Prayers were daily offered on his behalf. Even a little girl prayed daily for him, and said, 'I know G.o.d will hear my prayers, and he will recover.' But such was not the will of G.o.d. He was sent home, and given up to my care. The voyage was fine four days, when a gale arose which lasted five days, and tried his strength terribly. He seemed sinking, and said, 'I will not live to see my parents again.' I said, 'You will, if you trust in G.o.d, and if it is His will.' When we came to see lights of the Irish coast we felt joy and comfort. Arrived in Londonderry he had scarcely any strength to stand. When Newtownstewart was reached his relations and I knew each other by our troubled and anxious faces."

His sister wrote that on the last two occasions that his mother talked to him of his sufferings his reply each time was, "If we suffer with Him (Jesus), we shall reign with Him." Again, he said he left himself in the hands of his Lord, to take him or leave him as He pleased. He breathed his last in the arms of his brother John, on Friday, the 5th of June, at 10.30 p.m. The end was so peaceful that they could not tell when the last breath was drawn.

The funeral took place on Monday, the 8th, when the long procession of vehicles, some forty or fifty in number, bore testimony to the love and respect with which he was regarded in his own neighbourhood. Next after the chief mourners walked Samuel Carrigan and young M'Causland, two deaf mutes who loved and honoured him. Many others would have been present also, had it been in their power, for Robert had the love and regard of all the deaf and dumb who knew him.

_Copy of a letter given to R. S. Lyons on leaving America, by Dr.

Gallaudet, President of the College:--_

National Deaf Mute College, Kendal Green, Near Was.h.i.+ngton.

MY DEAR ROBERT,--I want to give you more than a mere "good-bye"

in words, as you take your leave of us. I want to tell you how much I have been pleased with your course here as a student, how gratified I have been to see your pleasantness in your work, and how thoroughly you have won my respect and esteem; and then want to add that your patience and cheerfulness under the heavy cross of extreme illness has made you seem a real hero. It is an added pleasure to think that this heroism is of that sort which those sons of men alone exhibit who are filled with the spirit of our good and glorious leader, Christ. I believe, dear Robert, that you have that spirit, truly and fully, and I am sure it will sustain you in all future work. As you go far away over the ocean to your home, to your loved ones, and to that work which G.o.d will give you to do, my prayers will follow you daily that G.o.d will give you health and strength to do His will, and, above all, that the "peace of G.o.d" which pa.s.seth knowledge may fill your soul. Wis.h.i.+ng you every blessing that earth and heaven can bestow,--I am, yours in loving friends.h.i.+p,

E. M. GALLAUDET.

HELEN SILVIE.

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Helen Silvie was a Scotch girl. She was born in the village of Dunblane, situated on the beautiful banks of the river Allan.

She lost her hearing by fever when about five years of age, and two years after she was sent to the Edinburgh Inst.i.tution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb.