Chapter 7

I saw the world before the sun was made--it was all earth. He made Europe, Africa--all! and with His breath He made the sea. (Here his action was remarkable. He drew on his slate the continent and islands, blew with his breath with scarce any motion of his lips, and showed that the waters instantaneously flowed through their channels, and the seas were formed.) God made the firmament by His word; it is like silk paper, it is all round the world: there is water over it and clouds under it, and the sun shines through it, and the moon, and the stars. (Here he described by gestures the motions of the earth, the sun, and moon, and that there were countless stars, larger much than the sun; that there was no axle on which the world moved, nor anything to keep it up like a cord, but that it was moved and upheld by the breath of the Almighty.)

There were many angels with him.

He had not a loud voice, and his eyes see the sun before him and behind him.

He spoke very kindly to me; I saw many spirits in heaven; they were worshipping God and obedient to God; they did not speak; they listened to God and were obedient to Him; and God was often speaking to them; and they loved Him. He was commanding them to look at evil and right things in the world, and they were very bright like clouds; thou couldst not see them, because they were invisible.

Angels are often in the world; they are always present with us, and in every place, separating the people's hearts, good from bad. God tells them to separate the good from the bad; and they are always soaring with their wings. Their wings have not feathers; they are like the clouds. The angels are soaring always, and standing on the air and the clouds; they never are flapping with their wings; they are never tired, nor sleepy, nor hungry, nor thirsty, nor eating, nor laughing, nor smiling; I saw some more crying a little, because the people have sin _from them_. They are very beautiful like the sun. God is more bright than an angel. They can walk on everything in heaven and in the world, and in hell they are not burned. God was sitting on the clouds, and on the air, and on the water. He is still, quiet; He never laughs. (His gestures here were striking in an astonishing degree, and his whole mind seemed overcome, with a sense of the Divine greatness and glory.) God was very kind to the angels, more than all the world.

THE SCRIPTURES AND THE STATE OF THE DEAF AND DUMB.

"Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

"Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy."--Prov. xxxi. 8, 9.

"Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

"And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?"--Exodus iv. 12, 11.

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."--I Cor. xiii. 10.

"But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth."--Psalm xxxviii. 13.

"All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing."--Ecclesiastes i. 8.

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."--Mark xvi. 15.

"And how shall they preach except they be sent? as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things."--Romans x. 15.

"And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness."--Isaiah xxix. 18.

"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; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert."--Isaiah xxxv. 5, 6.

"But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see; and they that have not heard shall understand."--Romans xv. 21.

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief."--I Timothy i. 15.

"As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

"And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake; and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel."--Matt. ix. 32, 33.

"Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

"And said unto him, Art thou he that should come or look we for another?

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

"The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

"And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me."--Matt. xi. 2-6.

"Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb; and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw."--Matt. xii. 22, 23.

"And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus feet; and he healed them; insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see; and they glorified the God of Israel."--Matt. xv. 30, 31.

"And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit:

"And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him; and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not.

"He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

"And they brought him unto him; and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

"And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

"And often it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters to destroy him; but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

"When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou deaf and dumb spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

"And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him; and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

"But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose."--Mark ix. 17-27.

"And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.

"And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

"And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, be opened.

"And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

"And he charged them that they should tell no man; but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

"And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well; he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak."--Mark vii. 32-37.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The Tenth Census Report of the U. S. of America for 1880 contains some interesting statistics of the deaf and dumb, and apparently show a considerable increase as compared with the whole population.

1850. 1860. 1870. 1880.

Total population 23,191,876 31,443,321 38,558,371 50,155,783

Deaf Mutes 9,803 12,821 16,205 38,878

No. of Deaf Mutes in each million of population 423 408 420 675

Out of 33,878 there were 18,567 males and 15,311 females. The number of native deaf mutes was 30,507, and foreign 3,721. White, 30,661; coloured, 3,217, including 3 Chinese and 37 Indians.

CAUSES OF DEAF-MUTISM.

The intermarriage of blood-relations is doubtless one cause. In one school for the deaf and dumb 25 per cent., in another 20 per cent., and in others 15 per cent. of the pupils are said to be the off-spring of marriages between blood-relations.

Davy mentions the following case observed by Menière:--A married couple, being cousins, who enjoyed excellent health, had eight children, of whom four were born deaf mutes, another was idiotic, another died when five years of age, and two others suffered from absolute deafness, which only made its appearance later on.

In the Institution at Derby there are three sisters, and also a younger sister at home, all born deaf and dumb, the parents being own cousins. On the other hand, there are at the same Institution several children having deaf and dumb brothers or sisters, where no relationship exists between the parents, notably one family, in which both parents are healthy, and in which there are four deaf and dumb children. In the same county there are other cases of three, four, and even six in a family, yet there has been no relationship between the parents. In addition to the born deaf, measles, bronchitis, typhus, scarletina, and other diseases are the causes of deafness, and consequently dumbness.

Cases are known to have resulted from lightning, fright, boxing on the ears, and where young children have been allowed to fall on the head, etc.

Damp houses are said to be a cause of deafness. In Paris among eight children born in a family, five were born deaf, and these had all been born in a damp house. The family who had previously lived in the same house had three children, among whom were two born deaf and dumb. It is sometimes said that certain unhealthy trades in which the parent or parents are engaged are responsible for some of these cases, but the only complete statistics are those of Nassau, the results of which are as follows:--

Among 27 Pipe-makers 3 deaf mute children, therefore 1 deaf mute to 9.0 " 146 Stonemasons 4 " " " 36.5 " 186 Brass-founders 5 " " " 37.2 " 106 Potters 2 " " " 53.0 " 590 Carpenters 8 " " " 73.7 " 176 Earthenware-makers 2 " " " 88.0 " 381 Sailors 3 " " " 127.0 " 1,716 Bricklayers 11 " " " 156.0 " 1,309 Smiths 7 " " " 187.0 " 374 Vat-coopers 2 " " " 187.0 " 1,894 Tailors 10 " " " 189.4 " 2,911 Shoemakers 15 " " " 194.0 " 1,614 Joiners 8 " " " 201.7 " 2,006 Vinters 9 " " " 222.8 " 514 Coopers 2 " " " 257.0 " 1,380 Bakers 5 " " " 276.0 " 49,201 Farmers 104 " " " 473.1 " 18,211 Labourers 24 " " " 758.8

Meckel says that in the families of tradespeople, who are constantly exposed to a damp unhealthy atmosphere or other injurious influences, deaf-mutism occurs most frequently. Moreover, Meckel has found that deaf-mutism is more frequently met with in flour-mills than elsewhere. Among 990 millers in Nassau, there were found eight deaf mutes, or one deaf mute to 123.7.

A DEAF AND DUMB BOY NOT AFRAID TO DIE.

Bernard Grimshaw, a little deaf and dumb boy, lay seriously ill in the sick ward of an Institution, and was asked, "Would you be afraid to die?" "No! because Christ has taken away the sting of death, if we believe in Him that He died for us; and we should not be afraid of death, if we believe in Him that He died for us; and we should not be afraid of death because He has promised to give eternal life to all believers."

"What do you consider the best thing you have been taught, since coming to the Deaf and Dumb Institution?" "I have learned about God and His beloved Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible. That is best."

A DEAF AND DUMB SEXTON ROBBED.

George E. Fischer, the deaf and dumb sexton of the St. Mary's Avenue Congregational Church, put out the lights and started for his boarding house at 10 o'clock at night. He had gone but a short distance from the church when he was pounced upon by unknown persons, who approached from behind and knocked him down. After striking him another blow the fellow went through his pockets, taking every cent he had. Fischer is a hard-working man, but is in poor health, and will feel the loss heavily.--_Omaha World, May 24th, 1886._

ACUTENESS OF EDUCATED DEAF MUTES.

One evening the senior class of girls and boys in a School for the deaf and dumb were invited to put any questions they wished to the Teacher; amongst others, the following (which show considerable acuteness and reflection) were proposed to him:--Who made God? Were there any angels before the world was made? Before the world was made, how was God eternal? Do you know, are there houses in the moon which people inhabit? Do you think the dwellers in the moon have got the sin as well as ourselves? Will there be a new world when this is burnt up? How do you know the scriptures to be the word of God? Do the angels know when the last day will come?

A RUSSIAN DEAF AND DUMB YOUTH'S REPLY.

A young Russian, of great talents, though deaf and dumb, who had been to a Deaf and Dumb Institution to be taught, with a view to become the master of a similar Institution in Russia, was asked the difference between intelligence and discernment? He said "Intelligence is a faculty, by which we distinguish good and evil, what is useful and what hurtful. I think discernment is the faculty of distinguishing the greater and less degrees of good and evil."

THE AGE OF DEAF MUTES.

The question is frequently asked, "Is there a greater mortality among the deaf mutes than there is among the total population?"

The statistics so far published, on the whole, show a somewhat greater mortality among the deaf and dumb than that among the total population.

It may, however, be stated that the deaf and dumb having to labour under greater difficulties, generally succumb more easily in the struggle for existence than their more favoured fellow-creatures.

In Bavaria, in 1871, there were 4,348 deaf mutes; 557 of these were between 31 and 40 years of age; 556 between 41 and 50; and 852 were 50 years and upwards. In Prussia there were 23,579; of these 3,057 were between 31 and 40 years of age; 2,540 between 41 and 50; and 3,609 were 50 years and upwards. In 1883, the North Midland Counties of England had 705 deaf and dumb: 148 of these were under 5 years of age; 83 were 15 years; 81 were 20 years; 227 were 25 years; 127 were 45 years; and 39 were 65 years and upwards.

DEAF MUTES IN THE TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Wilhelmi tried to ascertain by means of his statistics in what proportion deaf mutism occurred in towns and in the country, and found that it preponderated in the country.

+------------+-------------------- | Deaf Mutes.| Deaf Mutes among | | 10,000 Inhabitants. --------------------------------+------------+-------------------- In Magdeburgh { In the Towns | 181 | 5.2 { In the Country | 338 | 6.7 In Erfurt { In the Towns | 81 | 5.4 { In the Country | 186 | 8.5 In Pomerania { In the Towns | 378 | 8.3 { In the Country | 1259 | 12.8 --------------------------------+------------+--------------------

COMPARATIVE NUMBERS OF THE SEXES OF DEAF MUTES.

In all countries where statistics have been compiled, the number of male deaf mutes exceeds that of the female. In 1871 there were in Prussia 12,736 male and 10,843 female deaf mutes. In England and Wales in 1883 there were 4,408 male and 3,280 female deaf mutes. In Staffordshire 264 males and 217 females. In Leicestershire 64 males and 50 females. In Lincolnshire 112 males and 93 females. In Nottinghamshire 96 males and 75 females; and in Derbyshire 121 males and 88 females.

PROBABLE NUMBERS OF THE DEAF & DUMB.

There is an increasing desire on the part of the various Governments of the world to give information likely to be useful to the instructors of the deaf and dumb, but it has been proved beyond doubt that the Census returns in many cases are not altogether reliable, the numbers being considerably understated. The following Table by Hartman, compiled from the various census returns, shows the per centage to the population:--

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. -----------------------+---------+------------+---------+------------- | Date of | Total | No. of | Deaf Mutes | Statis- | Population.| Deaf | among 10,000 | tics. | | Mutes. | Inhabitants. -----------------------+---------+------------+---------+------------- 1 Germany | 1877 | 39,862,133 | 38,489 | 9.66 2 France | 1872 | 36,102,921 | 22,610 | 6.26 3 Great Britain | | | | and Ireland | 1871 | 31,631,212 | 18,152 | 5.70 4 Italy | 1871 | 26,413,132 | 19,385 | 7.34 5 Austria | 1869 | 20,394,980 | 19,701 | 9.66 6 Hungary | 1870 | 15,417,327 | 20,699 | 13.43 7 Spain | 1860 | 15,658,531 | 10,905 | 6.96 8 Belgium | 1858 | 4,529,560 | 1,989 | 4.39 9 Netherlands | 1869 | 3,575,080 | 1,119 | 3.35 10 Sweden | 1870 | 4,168,525 | 4,266 | 10.23 11 Norway | 1865 | 1,701,756 | 1,569 | 9.22 12 Switzerland | 1870 | 2,669,147 | 6,544 | 24.52 13 Denmark | 1870 | 1,864,496 | 1,156 | 6.20 -----------------------+---------+------------+---------+-------------

NON EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. -----------------------+---------+------------+---------+------------- 1 United States of | | | | America | 1870 | 38,558,371 | 16,205 | 4.20 2 Argentine Republic | 1870 | 1,743,199 | 6,626 | 38.07 3 British Colonies | | | | in N. America | 1871 | 583,535 | 470 | 8.05 4 In the West Indies | 1871 | 905,730 | 690 | 7.62 5 In Africa | 1871 | 330,460 | 529 | 16.01 6 In Australia | 1871 | 305,730 | 56 | 1.83 -----------------------+---------+------------+---------+-------------

In Prussia (1875) the Census showed a population of 24,604,351, the number of the deaf and dumb being 24,315, or 9.9 to 10,000 of the population. In India there are, it is said, over 200,000 deaf mutes. The total number in the world is supposed to be over 700,000.

KING GEORGE IV. & THE DEAF & DUMB BOY.

When King George IV. visited Ireland a deaf and dumb boy determined to send a letter to His Majesty. The following extracts taken from this characteristic letter will be interesting:

"Wednesday, 4th July, 1821.

"My dear George,--I hope I will see you when you come here to see the deaf and dumb boys and girls; I am very sorry that you never did come here to see them.

"I will be very glad to see you, if you will come here often to see me. Did you ever see the deaf and dumb in London? You must write a letter to me soon. Would you like to see me at Claremont? I could not go to London, because there is too much money to pay to the captain of a ship for me.

"Do you know Grammar, Geography, Bible, Arithmetic, Astronomy, and Dictionary? I know them very little. I am very delighted that I am improving much. Perhaps I will be an assistant of the Deaf and Dumb School. Where were you born? Would you like to correspond with me? I would be very fond of you. You ought to write a long letter to me soon. What profession are you of? I never saw you; I am very, very anxious to see you indeed, and would like to see the King of England very much.

"Will you send us some deaf and dumb children, and give us money to pay for educating them.

"I am, your affectionate friend, "THOMAS COLLINS."

The answer was as follows:--

"To Thomas Collins, Deaf and Dumb Institution, Claremont, Glasnevin, near Dublin.

"Sir Benjamin Bloomfield is commanded by the King to present to Thomas Collins ten pounds for being a good boy."

"Phoenix Park, 3rd Sep., 1821."

With these ten pounds the boy was afterwards apprenticed to a printer.

POOR SAM TRANTER.

The lot of the _uneducated_ deaf and dumb in this world is a pitiable one, and their isolation is keenly felt. Often have we seen some of this portion of suffering humanity unable to plead for themselves, or tell their tale of woe or hardship. Such was the condition of poor Sam Tranter. Though Sam was never in a Deaf and Dumb Institution, his skill and plans for worldly prospects were extraordinary. In his boyhood he was left friendless and uncared for, but persuaded a shoemaker to give him work, at which poor Sam was fairly successful; owing, however, to the man's ill treatment he had to leave, and, to save himself from starving, went in the workhouse. After a brief stay he again went forth to try his hand as a shoeblack, and after various attempts to shift for himself, he began to master difficulties by wonderful energy and perseverance, and there is no doubt had the poor fellow been properly taught in a Deaf and Dumb Institution, he would have risen in life. After a time Sam commenced selling cockles, mussels, and oysters.

From a small beginning he increased, and in course of time he took a shop, and employed five women, at which he said he had made as much as £20 some weeks. Owing, however, to his lack of education, the poor fellow was continually robbed, and eventually got into trouble through debt, and was worried with summonses; hence his failure as a cockle and oyster merchant. He then took a stall, and afterwards a shop for the sale of gingerbread, &c.; this was also doomed to failure. He then tried street-hawking with a barrow, to keep himself from the workhouse; but this also failed, and his barrow was seized for debt.

Poor Sam was again penniless, friendless, and homeless, which compelled him once more to seek refuge in the Union, where he afterwards died after great suffering, at the age of 60 years. His remains were followed to the grave by a few deaf and dumb friends. Poor Sam might have said with David "Whilst I would do good evil is present with me."

FAITH COMETH BY HEARING.