So important is education, that a regular course of academical instruction is con tutions; and that, since the former anni- encourage us in labour, we consider Sabversary, no less than ONE HUNDRED AND bath Schools as holding a place in the first SEVENTY-FOUR Clergymen, of different de- rank. nominations, have been made life-members of the Society, by the contribution of their parishioners. It also appears, that the sidered an ample fortune for those who are Board are now engaged in publishing parts able to obtain it. A state of ignorance is a of the Bible in two different Indian lan-state of barbarism; and without religious guages. Other parts will be printed in the instruction man is neither prepared to live same dialects as soon as correct transla- nor fit to die. Ignorance is the parent of tions can be procured. superstition, and the fruitful source of many of those evils and crimes which desolate society, and are alike damning to the body and the soul. So deeply have the present age been impressed with a sense of the importance of education to the well being, and even the existence, of civilized society, to the temporal and eternal interests of men, that associations have been formed and multiplied, and supported by the most liberal charities, for giving instruction to those who have not the means of procuring it for themselves; and by this charity, we are warranted in saying, more has been done for the alleviation of human SPEECH OF THE REV. MR. BLATCHFORD, At the anniversary of the Female Union THE day in which we live is a day of peculiar interest. Unparalleled exertions are making for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and these exertions are attended with unparalleled success. Religious intelligence of the most glorious character, like fertilizing and refreshing streams, is flowing in from every quarter. The spirit of prayer and supplication is poured out upon the children of God; the hearts of the people are opened to contri-Tract Societies;-but all this has been bute of their substance, their time, and their talents as well as their prayers in the work of God. Multitudes, in various parts of the Church, among the different denominations of Christians, are seen pressing into the kingdom of God, forsaking the service of sin and Satan, and enlisting under the banner of the Prince of Peace. Joy and rejoicing are in the habitations of the righteous, because the cross of Christ is gloriously triumphant, sinners are couverted unto God, the darkness is fast hasting away, and already, we devoutly hope, our eyes behold the dawning of that day, so long the subject of prophecy and of prayer, when the knowledge of God shall cover the whole earth as the waters cover the seas. misery and the promotion of the real happiness of men, than by any other charity whatever. In this charity are included Common Schools, Bible, Missionary, and found insufficient, It was seen that there were multitudes who, although a school was opened for their reception, could not afford to devote their time to this object, whose daily labour was requisite to procure their daily bread; and others from different causes found it impossible to attend; so that while the Bible was put into their hands they were unable to read it. And shall this class be neglected? while others are preparing to be useful members of society, shall these be left to prove its curse, to grow up in ignorance and vice? With the sacred volume in their possession, shall they be permitted to remain ignorant of its sacred truths, to go down to the grave strangers to its hopes Among the signs of the times which and consolations? For ages this has been cheer our spirits, rejoice our hearts, and the deplorable condition of multitudes in Mothers with their daughters, fathers with their sons, have embarked in this interesting work. And what have they ac Brethren, we cannot tell our community, but such it is not now. ardent zeal, to take the foremost rank;God has put it into the hearts of his people and it is both our duty and our pleasure to to provide for the instruction of these long-make this acknowledgment on the annineglected precious immortals. versary of the Female Sabbath School The plan at its commencement met with Union. But, to the honour of the other sex, much opposition; but obstacles have been it will be remembered, that they were not surmounted; difficulties have been re-backward to follow so bright an example; moved; objections have been answered; and now both sexes are employed, and, in Sabbath Schools have been established, the establishment of Sabbath Schools, have and the experiment has shown that the introduced a new era in the Christian work is of God. The report which has world. just been read, and the company of in-1 structers and instructed, assembled this morning in this sanctuary of grace, testify the utility of these institutions, and are complished? alone sufficient to destroy every thing in the you. Much, inuch has been done to reform of an objection. The sight is inter- joice the heart of every friend of man-to esting beyond expression, and we hardly refresh and gladden the Church of God know which to pronounce as sharing most upon the earth, and spread a holy joy richly in privilege, the instructers or the throughout the hosts of heaven. The suinstructed. In this charity of charities perintendants and teachers in these Schools American Christians have not the honour of have gone from street to street, visiting the taking the lead; but we have the honour habitations of the poor, the destitute, and of following a noble example. The Christians in Britain went before us in this work, and we state the fact, because we delight in every opportunity of giving honour to whom honour is due. In crossing the Atlantic, my Christian friends, we might occupy you for days in reciting some of the glorious results of this experiment in the land of our fathers; and in calculating the amount of good which has been done in that country through the instrumentality of Sabbath Schools, we should find the science of arithmetic to fail. Yes, brethren, the value of the work, and the importance of the object, can only be estimated by the value of the soul and the blessedness of salvation. But it is enough for us at present to look at home.--And here we are constrained to say, that that sex which might have been expected to go forward, with too much indifference held back; they seemed to be afraid to meet the difficulties which were presented, and to lack that zeal which was requisite for the arduous undertaking. To the honour of the female sex be it spoken, that theirs was the holy boldness and the the ignorant, and have thus collected children in these circumstances, without distinction, wherever they have found them; they have required no certificate of recommendation but poverty and ignorance; and, taking these objects of charity by the hand, they have led them, from Sabbath to Sabbath, to the place of instruction. Nor has this instruction been directed alone to children; they have also regarded those who, through neglect, have been permitted to grow up in ignorance. And now in our Schools is presented the interesting spectacle, parents and their children, hoary age and lisping infancy, learning together to read the word of God, and unite their hearts and voices in solemn prayer and praise with their instructers. Many who were not able to say their letters, have, in so short a time as to be almost incredible, had we not the facts before us, been taught to read the Bible, and have committed to memory large portions of Scripture. Many, many have been found, even in this Christian city, who were not only unable to read, but who had never been told that they were sinners, had never seen a Bible, or heard the precious name of Jesus Christ the Saviour. These objects of charity are now not only instructed in the Schools, but go with their teachers to the house of God, and enjoy the privilege of public worship. Thus now is the Sabbath employed by thousands in our city, who before were found in the streets, profaning the sacred day and disturbing the public peace. taken his redeemed ones to the blessedness and the glory of his kingdom above. Many thousands are now receiving instruction in this city, in Sabbath Schools-the exact number we are not able to state. We are surprised at what has been accom plished in so short a time. But although much has been accomplished, there is yet much, very much remaining to be done. We know that the labour of instructers is You are not, my Christian friends, to be great and arduous; in their work they are satisfied with what is past; but let the past called to make many sacrifices, and to ex-stimulate you to future exertion in the great ercise much self-denial; but we also know, and glorious work; and whatever may be that in the good which they have been the in your power to do, do it with readiness means of accomplishing, they have a suffi- and cheerfulness, whether in contributing cient recompense, not only for the toil they to the funds of the institution, or assisting as have undergone, but for a whole life of instructers. The question with each of toil. They have not, in their instruction, you should be, In what way can I be useful simply rendered a temporal benefit to the in promoting the benevolent design of these objects of their charity, but in many in- Schools? It is not to be considered as a stances, under God, have been instru- drudgery; it is your honour and your priviments of good that will be remembered lege. And I charge the people of God, in throughout eternity. their addresses at the throne of grace, not Brethren, in several of our Churches we to forget Sabbath Schools; remember the see many sitting down at the table of the instructed, and pray for the teachers. I Lord, commemorating the dying love of their know I speak the desire of their hearts, Redeemer, walking in the commandments when I ask your prayers in their behalf. of God, and adorning the doctrine of their Lord and Saviour, who received their first religious impressions, and were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the instrumentality of Sabbath Schools. And let those who are engaged in this interesting work not be discouraged. Do you desire honour?-you have it-the honour of being co-workers with God, and your reward is on high. Let teachers not forTeachers have been called to attend ma- get that they themselves are learners, and ny of their pupils upon the bed of death; while they are instructing others, let them they have seen them in dying circum- seek in fervent supplication the teachings of stances, rejoicing in the hope of the glory that Spirit which alone can render the word of God, and acknowledging the Sabbath of God effectual; so that they themselves School as the school in which they first be- may understand the truth, and know its came acquainted with Christ. Thus, while power in their own experience. Wo be the paleness of death has marked them for unto them if they neglect to improve the the grave, they have experienced that opportunities which they enjoy for their peace of mind which passeth all under- own improvement. standing, and closed their eyes for ever upon the world, rejoicing in the prospect the Lord, take courage. The blessing of that rest which remaineth for the people of God. This honour has God put upon these institutions; he has made them nurseries for heaven; in them he has called sinners from darkness into light, and from them has And now, ye labourers in the vineyard of which has attended your institution is a pledge that the same blessing will still fol low you. That God, who has called you to the work, will undoubtedly be near you, and sustain you in it, and crown your labour with success. Be not weary in well doing; you shall assuredly reap if you faint here, to whom, under God, your instrucnot. The blessing of many, ready to pe- tions have been blessed, you shall be able rish, shall come upon you. Many, while to say, Here, Lord, are we, and the children you live, shall call you blessed; future thou hast given us. generations will pay their grateful tribute to the memory of those who patronized and supported Sabbath Schools, and in the great day multitudes shall rise up and call you blessed. They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever. Already, methinks, I see the day when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, when the love of God shall fill every heart, and every mouth show forth his praise; and in that day shall Sabbath Schools be regarded as one important mean in the hand of God in ushering in the millennial glory. Nay, I look further still. I behold a company of teachers called to give an account of their stewardship; and ah! my friends, can you conceive the transport of that hour when, finding your own residence Had I the powers of an angel, and an angel's tongue, my powers would prove too feeble, and my tongue would falter in attempting to describe the glories of that hour. O! it will be blessed news indeed, joy unspeakable and full of glory. Instructers and instructed interested in the same covenant, united to the same glorious head, clothed in the same robe of spotless righteousness, and washed in the same precious blood, collected together about the throne of God, shall unite their voices in celebrating the triumphs of redeeming grace, singing the heavenly anthem unto Him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion, for Amen. ever and ever. That this may be the blessedness of the at the throne of God, you shall find your-instructers and instructed in the Female selves surrounded by the objects of your Sabbath School Union, may God of his present charity; and, recognizing those to infinite mercy grant, for Christ's sake, whom you have administered instruction Amen. Literary and Scientific Intelligence, ¿c. DEAF AND DUMB. WE are extremely happy to find that the plan for establishing an Asylum for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, in this city, has not been relinquished. Upwards of a year ago a society was formed for that purpose, and in April, 1817, an act of incorporation was obtained from the legislature of the State. Nothing, however, was done until a few weeks since, when a discourse was pronounced before the citizens of New-York, in behalf of the institution, by Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, one of the vice-presidents. It is due to this production to state, that it ranks among the most finished of the author's efforts, and that it does equal credit to him as a philosopher and a man of benevolent feelings. The following extracts we doubt not will be highly gratifying to such of our readers as have not seen the discourse. "Much can be accomplished for them (i. e. the deaf and dumb) by human means. Can be done, did I say? Let me correct certain individuals in Spain, Holland, and myself, and say, much has been done al- Germany, are referable to the one or the ready. The present undertaking is not an other of these. untried project, or visionary scheme of be- "Of the British method, the first disnevolence. No; it is an experiment that tinguished teacher was Mr. Braidwood. has been successfully made; it is a pro- He instructed pupils at Edinburgh. Mr. ceeding sanctioned by reiterated trial. The Green, a gentleman of New-York, placed a cautious have no place to rest a doubt upon. deaf and dumb son there about the year The enterprising consider the great work 1780. The succeeding year he visited the as achieved. What remains is as plain as school, and wrote an account of it from a school upon the plan of Lancaster. London, to the late Mr. Bayley, professor of anatomy in Columbia College, &c. I cannot do any thing so much to the point as to read you the letter. [Vide Medical Repository, vol. viii. p. 73–75.] "The task was deemed by the ancients an impossibility. Lucretius has a sentiment about it, which has been translated thus: T' instruct the deaf no art could ever reach, "This justly distinguished teacher in Scotland has been succeeded by his pupil, Dr. Watson, in England. His school is in “Deaf and dumb persons may be in- London, the most prolific place, perhaps, structed in four different ways. 1. By sig- on the terraqueous globe for the institutions nificant gestures; 2. by spelling words on called charitable. It does not appear to the fingers; 3. by writing words and sen- have established a society for relieving this tences at full length; 4. by actual articu- class of persons, until 1792; when an lation after the manner of those who hear. asylum was opened for the support and "By the first of these, the Mima of the education of the deaf and dumb children of Romans are reported to have made them- the poor.' The benefits of it have since selves understood, on almost every subject, been felt by many of those compassionate by all who beheld them. Some individuals objects. They are admitted, as I underof the Malay tribes in North America are stand, between the ages of nine and fourcelebrated for the skill with which they teen; are taught to speak articulately, and convey every thing they wish by intelligible to write; and are made to understand the signs. The ingenious Mr. Dunbar, of meaning of letters, and of the sounds conNatchez, has explained, in a very curious stituting speech. They are also instructed memoir, the manner in which these ges-in arithmetic. By an acquaintance with tures have been arranged into a system. A penmanship and calculation, they become few years ago I witnessed the performance qualified for the common business of life. of a native Ricara from the Missouri, who was a proficient in this mode of communication. It is by this method chiefly, that deaf and dumb persons among us receive and impart ideas. "By the three other of these methods, a plan of regular instruction has been in vented. Afterward, the acquisition of some of the most useful mechanical arts, enables them to earn a livelihood and to be comfortable. As the two volumes written by this practical labourer in the field are before you in print, it is enough that I mention the work with respect, and refer to it for information, as a document of peculiar value. "These will be considered under the In France, the Abbe de l'Epee gathered two heads of the British and of the French; the deaf and dumb into a seminary of his it being all the while remembered that both own, and taught them. His successor, the methods, which are artificial, practise the Abbe Sicard, continues the business with natural gesticulations, as far as they can be the most encouraging result. His pupils useful, The modes of teaching pursued by learn to connect the powers of the letters in |