The Religious Life of LondonRitchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)
Religion
The Religious Life of London
Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)
London (England) -- Religion; Religious thought -- England -- London
As to the sermon, all that can be said is that it comes
up to the Demosthenic standard for eloquence—action, action, action.
Among the deaf and dumb the best preacher must be the best actor. Not
merely are the fingers in constant requisition, but every part of the
preacher’s face, as much as possible, is speaking all the time, either in
the way of exhortation or entreaty. Great use, as we may imagine, is
also made of the arms, and the body sways backward and forward as if to
lend expression to such ideas as it may be the design of the teacher to
convey. The great aim of these services is educational. They are
intended to afford such an insight into the meaning and use of the Book
of Prayer, that the deaf and dumb may be enabled to join intelligently in
the public worship of the Church of England, and undoubtedly it is
desirable that the terrible sense of isolation so natural under the
circumstances should be got rid of, that the deaf and dumb should feel
that they are part and parcel of the universal Church. Nevertheless
there must be a deaf and dumb pulpit from which may flow the ever
fructifying stream of Christian truth—a pulpit which the deaf and dumb
may feel exists especially for them. Of this pulpit at present the Rev.
Samuel Smith is the most distinguished orator, and as you watch him,
though you cannot understand him, you cannot but wonder at his marvellous
skill. Evidently his heart is in his work; equally evident is it that he
has to complain of no wandering eyes. Every hearer is intent, many seem
really devout and find the privilege one not lightly to be esteemed. The
deep strain of the organ is not there, you miss the song of praise, you
hear no penitential chant. From no living tongue falls the sweet promise
of salvation and eternal life, from those sealed and silent lips escapes
no audible prayer. Yet we know that
“God reveals Himself in many ways,”
and that He may be met with even among the deaf and dumb.
A SUNDAY IN JAIL.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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