sic, by Mr. Baker in London, by Mr. Braidwood in Edinburgh, by the Abbeès de L'pèe and Sicard in Paris, and by Mr. Watson, formerly the assistant of Mr. Braidwood, and now teacher in the asylum for the support and education of Deaf and Dumb children of the poor, instituted in London in the year 1792. In that institution, which has been crowned with considerable success, the children are taught to write, and to speak articulately; and to understand what they write and speak. To fit them for the management of common concerns, they are instructed in penmanship, and practical arithmetic; and to enable them to earn a livelihood, they are also instructed in some of the most useful of the mechanic arts.

In prosecuting their ingenious, yet arduous labours, the instructers of the Deaf and Dumb have had two objects in view. First, by teaching their pupils the use of written language, they have endeavoured to enlighten their minds, and to enable them by these and other symbols, natural and artificial, to hold converse with others.

Their second object was to instruct them in the actual exercise of the organs of articulation, or to converse by speaking. This last object has been attended with such serious difficulties, that it has, in some instances, been abandoned; but as some of the subjects of instruction discover a much greater aptitude than others, to express articulate sounds, where such aptitude is found, it may and ought to be encouraged.

The first object, however, namely, that of teaching by letters and by signs, is of vital importance.

As language is an arbitrary thing; and as there is no natural connexion between articulate sounds and the ideas they are employed to express-and as all language is taught, in the first instance, by sensible signs, it follows, that although the Deaf and Dumb cannot be instructed by audible sounds, yet that by the use of written characters, accompanied by sensible signs, they may not only be introduced into the fields of literature, but may make astonishing advances in almost every branch of science. Dr. Johnson has styled the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb a philosophical curiosity; that curiosity has since, however, been very much simplified, and schools for their relief are now in the full tide of successful experiment.

Prompted by the writings and success of European philanthropists, two institutions have recently been organized in this country to meliorate the situation of our Deaf and Dumb. The first founded at Hartford, in Connecticut, was incorporated by an act of the legislature of that State, in May 1816. The second, founded in the city of New-York, was incorporated in April 1817. Whilst we detract nothing from the solid worth of our sister institution, we must be permitted to say, that ours is emphatically the Asylum of the Poor.

Children received into this school have not only the advantage of the mental culture and moral inspection of their able and faithful preceptors, but are also literally clothed and fed, and so led forward to usefulness and honour, not only without condition, but in many instances without the most distant hope of remuneration on the part of the Directors.

This institution is yet in its cradle. What is to become of it, time and heaven will unfold. Public munificence has done something in its favour, and will probably do more. By private munificence it has been exceedingly encouraged. Its benefactors have done well-they have done honour to themselves-they have done honour to human nature. This asylum now rests, almost as much as ever it did, upon their fostering care.

Embarked in this Godlike work, the Directors can neither abandon it, nor persevere without means.

Prudence has already suggested, that the doors of the Institution be closed against future applications, till our prospects shall brighten. Her voice has been heard. In more than one instance it has also been obeyed; and it must be obeyed, till some favourable change in our affairs shall call these suffering exiles from retirement. The strongest motives, fellow-citizens, that can be presented to enlightened minds, combine, with resistless force, to recommend to your care these children of affliction.

The tremendous disadvantages under which they labour, we have endeavoured to reveal. From evils so great, so complicated, so overwhelming, it is our object to rescue them, and not only to rescue them from positive evils, but to make them partakers of positive good, as rich as it is extensive. The instruction they receive in this Institution has an almost miraculous influence upon their temporal happiness and usefulness.-On entering this school, there is an immediate call for mental exertion. The dormant powers of the mind are aroused to action. That action is new, delightful, and salutary. They are excited, they are entertained, and they are instructed. The ennui of idleness, unsocial habits, and marked dejection, are exchanged for the sprightliness of industry, the charms of society, and the pleasures of hope.

If to be drawn from obscurity and noticed with affection-if to be introduced by the knowledge of letters into a new world, where there is endless variety to instruct, and endless delight in improvement-if to be conscious of that improvement in our own case, to become objects of interest and endearment to others, and to have the power and disposition of doing good almost infinitely enlarged-in a word, if to become every way more respectable and useful, can add to the happiness of a rational and immortal being-then the Deaf and Dumb are more happy by their improvement, for objects around them are like a new creation, and VOL. VI. 3 U

they themselves are transported into a new world of improvement and delight.

How differently, under these circumstances, are they viewed by their friends? Now, they can correspond with them by writing, and converse with them by signs. Now, their society, instead of being shunned, has become inexpressibly interesting. Whilst their own countenances, lighted up with intelligence, and beaming with joy, discover the enraptured feelings of their hearts, O, how must parental tenderness rejoice in such a scene! There have been instances in this very Institution, in which, on witnessing the favourable change in the children, and especially their attempts to articulate, the most rugged dispositions have been melted into tears.

But these advantages, important as they are, sink into insignificance when compared to such as they derive from a knowledge of the word of God; that word, is the word of eternal life.

It cannot be communicated to them in the ordinary way. If the eye could not be substituted for the ear, in teaching them the nature and the power of letters, they would remain eternal strangers to God's truth, revealed to us in the Scriptures.

A deprivation like this is one of the greatest that human nature can endure. To live without hope and without God in the world -to pass through it like beasts without reflection, or like the benighted traveller, without star-light or even candle-light to guide him in the way-to be ignorant of all that can open up the mysteries of eternity, shed light upon affliction, or radiance upon the grave;-language is too poor to express the dreariness of such a state, the depth of such calamity. Those, and those only, who know the value of heavenly truth, and have felt its sacred influence upon their hearts, can form a just estimate of such a loss.

It was the prophecy of an ancient bard of Israel, that at the coming of Messiah the tongue of the Dumb should sing. That prophecy was fulfilled in the miracles of Jesus; and is it not fulfilling in our day, in the preparation that is making for the millennial glory? Does not the language of Heaven in Providence appear to indicate, that from that latter day glory, not even the Deaf and Dumb shall be excluded? And when we see the eagerness they discover, not only to be initiated in the first rudiments of Christianity, but also to prosecute their inquiries in divine knowledge, who can turn away from them with indifference, or withhold from them the heavenly boon?

It is our honour, fellow-citizens, to be co-workers with God in this matter, and if we engage in it from proper motives, we shall in no wise lose our reward.

To see immortal beings raised by our exertions, from a state of mental vacuity to a condition of high intellectual cultivationfrom a state of joyless and abject mental poverty, to the exercise

and enjoyment of the best faculties and feelings of our naturefrom ignorance of God, of themselves, of futurity, and of duty, to perhaps a saving acquaintance with them all, is calculated, especially when we look forward to 'our future meeting with them at the bar of God, to afford pleasure the most refined, the most exalted.

And this pleasure is exceedingly enhanced, when we consider, that in aiding them, we not only subserve the cause of humanity in their particular case, but also the cause of our God, and of posterity unborn.

We shall now introduce these unfortunate children to your notice. You will judge for yourselves of their improvement, and of the importance of the institution by which they are cherished. Their presentment on this occasion, is the strongest appeal. we have to offer to the understanding, and to the hearts of this assembly.

For the Christian Herald.

SOCIETY FOR SUPPORTING THE GOSPEL AMONG THE POOR.

Mr. Editor was much gratified lately by a perusal of the Report for the year 1819, of the stated preacher of the Society for Supporting the Gospel among the Poor of this city, which was published in a late number of the Christian Herald.

Since that publication, the circular letter of the Trustees has appeared in several of the daily newspapers, and I presume will be published in the Herald.

Among the numerous religious societies of our city, this appears to me to be deserving of particular notice and liberal patronage. The facts stated in the simple, but affecting and interesting report of the faithful preacher, and the earnest appeal of the Trustees, are calculated to excite such notice, and I sincerely hope will induce such patronage.

Although the object of this institution is truly benevolent, and its sphere of usefulness is of the most interesting nature; although proofs of its success in very numerous instances of conversion, are to be found in its annals; still it has been permitted to experience a lamentable desertion in the zeal for forming new and perhaps more popular institutions. The labours of its aged but active and indefatigable minister, have been pursued with an ardour and intelligence which abundantly qualify him for his station, during a period of nearly eight years. The poor and distressed objects of his ministrations can bear ample testimony to his kindness, his zeal, and his fidelity to their eternal interests; and in that day when all shall be assembled in the presence of the searcher of hearts, I trust many will be found as children whom God has given to him.

The account of his weekly services, published in the circular,

exhibits an amount of labour which almost any but himself would shrink from undertaking. But I hope he will go on in the strength of his Master, prosecuting his laborious but important_vocation, and reap the rich reward of his Master's blessing. The Trustees have not "detailed the causes of their embarrassment," deeming it "unnecessary." It is true that the general causes are well known; but one exists, to which I have already adverted— the zeal for establishing new institutions. This is a society pursuing its course quietly and without display; seldom attracting the public eye, as its labours are chiefly employed in "the cell of the criminal, the apartments of the diseased and the dying, the abodes of the poor and the destitute." Thus shut in from public observation, but little of its effects are visible abroad, while many a penitent heart is led to the dispenser of pardon, many a sorrowing spirit is consoled-many an aged believer in Christ, whom poverty may have driven to the Almshouse, enjoys the delightful privileges of still hearing the gospel preached, still having a Christian minister with whom to converse on the great things of eternal life, and the minds of those hapless children whose lot is cast there, are trained for future piety and usefulness. Were all these important facts apparent to the public, I think it is impossible that such an institution would be suffered to languish in this community, where every thing pious and benevolent is so liberally patronised. It is to aid in making them more apparent that I have presumed to write this communication, and to call the attention of the Christian public to the wants of the society.

I understand from one of the Trustees, that since the publication of their circular, several small donations have been received. This is well, and I hope they will receive many more. But there is more efficient aid required, which I hope they will also obtain -I mean by annual subscriptions. Their list of yearly contributors is exceedingly diminished, and although donations may tend to their temporary relief, I know that without very important additions are made to the society, it must fall. I do not think their circular is sufficiently importunate on this point, as I have lately inspected their subscription book. I therefore hope that there are many benevolent Christians in this highly privileged city, who without waiting to be specially called upon, will volunteer an annual subscription to aid in continuing this important work. A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY.

From the Sailor's Magazine.

BETHEL FLAG.

A friend, who attends the prayer meetings in the Upper Pool, has communicated the following pleasing circumstance:

"Last Tuesday night, Captain M was requested to give out a verse or two of a hymn, and then pray. He came to the table, and said, "My dear friends, I bless God that ever the