Who, satisfied with only penciled scenes, What is the universe but the visible embodiment of the mind of the Creator! Of Him, who said, "Let light be,and light was." The careful study of his works must lead the pupil to adore, trust and love their Author. And what better calculated to promote this high, this holy feeling, than the study of Natural History? "What loftier science can there be than that where the Creator's ideas are the connecting links in the chain of human reasoning, and his works are the inspiration of the instructed heart!" says the writer already alluded to. "Is not science the handmaid of religion?" says another. "If we dive into the bowels of the earth and examine the nature and construction of our globe, with an eye skilled and a mind learned in geological science, we find the workmanship of master-hands. The whole bears evidence of the most consummate design, and that God, in his work, is seen here, whose Bible of revelation sheds light upon our path, and whose divinity stamps our religion. We examine the vegetable kingdom, so varied, so interesting and beautiful: the little floweret blushing in the sun's rays of heaven, the leafy forest, the green grass, speak their Maker, God, the Christian's God. And also the animal creation-from the most puny insect invisible to the naked eye, through all the different grades and species which give living animation to the mighty waters beneath us, or scud in playfulness far away in the vast expanse above us, or walk upon the earth, up to erect and God-imaged man. In truth, the whole range of the sciences, which treat of our world, and other worlds innumerable, their species, formation and peculiarities; and man himself, as he is fearfully and wonderfully made; as well as those sciences which teach the adaptation of things to each other, and enable us to consult our comfort, enjoyment and happiness in this world; all, all give occasion to the intelli gent, warm-hearted Christian, as he stands in admiration lost, to present before the eternal, omnipotent God of all truths revealed both by his Word and his works; ardent praise and gratulation!" Upon the same principle that the use of any portion of the body strengthens that portion, as is the case with the arm of the blacksmith, so we would infer that both the mental and moral faculties of the pupil can be better exercised and strengthened by the study of Natural History than by any other single branch of study, because it will afford the means of rapid and permanent improvement; as some of its particular subjects are at all times before the eye and will invite to investigation, and occupy the faculties of the observer in arranging and classifying its component parts, or in tracing out its relations to surrounding objects, and its dependencies upon them. The conclusion, therefore, is, that this study is admirably adapted to youth, and particularly to the deaf and dumb, from its attractiveness, from its method, and from its tendency to soften and purify the affections and bring the pupil to feel his dependence upon the great source of goodness, and thus lead him to the Saviour. "These are thy works, Parent of good; Thine this universal frame; Thyself, how wondrous then!" Some remarks were offered on this paper. Dr. PEET wished to correct a possible impression that might arise, that sufficient attention was not paid to Natural History in the instruction of the deaf and dumb. In the New York Institution, quite as much time was devoted to it as was consistent with proper attention to other branches of study. Mr. MORRIS rejoined that he had no intention to imply any thing to the contrary. He had made, in the paper itself, a distinct reservation in this particular. Mr. TURNER believed the subject of Natural History was one of great interest to the deaf and dumb, as they derived most of their happiness through the sense of sight. The kindred sciences of Botany, Mineralogy and Geology were also calculated to interest them, and enlarge their ideas. Mr. WELD instanced the case of a young man in Maine who had been employed as State Mineralogist, who was a graduate of the American Asylum. Hon. Mr. WALKER, of Massachusetts, here begged leave to offer a few remarks, being about to leave. He had been highly gratified with all that he had seen and heard. He was more than ever impressed with the difficulties of teaching this unfortunate class of persons; and, also, of the benefits of teachers being associated together in these conventions. Harmony of interest and action was the great Christian idea. We can not give sight to the eye, nor hearing to the ear, but we can give light to the mind. These organizations of benevolent effort bring to our view the great idea of the universal brotherhood of man. The speaker looked upon every effort, every Institution of this character, as a great Christian idea. He should carry with him a better impression of the magnitude and value of this work. It will receive the full approbation of all good men, and its future successes will impart high satisfaction to every honorable mind. On motion of Dr. PEET, The Convention adjourned till nine o'clock, A. M., on Friday. THIRD DAY. Friday, August 29, 1851. The Convention met at nine o'clock, A. M. President DAY in the chair. Devotional exercises were performed by Rev. J. ADDISON CARY, and an exposition of Scripture given from Mark vii. 34. "And looking up to heaven he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened." The SECRETARY read the minutes of the previous day, which were approved and accepted. On motion of Mr. WELD, Resolved, That a Committee of two Delegates be appointed by the chair to prepare an answer to the note of the Rev. Dr. GALLAUDET, received yesterday, and submit it for the approval of the Convention. The resolution was adopted unanimously. The chair appointed Mr. WELD and Mr. CARY as said Committee. The special order of business, being a statement of School Room Operations, was then taken up. Dr. PEET suggested that the statements from the different Institutions be made in the order of their age. Mr. WELD stated the general plan of operation in the American Asylum. Messrs. STONE, PORTER and TURNER, of the American Asylum, followed in further explanation of the system pursued in that Institution. Dr. PEET stated the practice in the New York Institution. Dr. Peet from the Business Committee, in continuation of their former report, presented extracts of letters addressed to him by Mr. JOHN A. JACOBS, Principal of the Kentucky Institution, relative to the establishment of new Institutions; and also on the propriety of making provision for the deaf and dumb on missionary ground, with accompanying resolutions. The report was adopted. Dr. PEET, in presenting the report of the Committee, read extracts from the communications of Mr. JACOBS. LETTER OF MR. JACOBS TO DR. PEET, RELATIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW INSTITUTIONS. DANVILLE, KENTUCKY, July 24, 1851. DEAR SIR,-It will not be possible for me to attend the Convention of Instructors of the Deaf and Dumb, at Hartford, in August: I wish, however, informally, through you, to present to the convention, for their consideration, the two subjects I mentioned to you in a letter written some months since. The first is the establishment of an institution for deaf mutes in every State in the Union, with the exception of the New England States, and perhaps one or two others of your tiny Northern States. That this ought to be done in the great States of the South and West, I have not a doubt, and that it is now practicable in several not yet possessing an institution, if proper efforts were made, is, I think, not doubtful. Institutions will, in time, spring up by the spontaneous efforts of the citizens of those states, as is now about to be the case in Missouri, where a gentleman, brought up in this place, and now a Senator of that State, is making an effort which I hope will be successful, to raise up a school for the deaf and dumb. But such spontaneous endeavors might be anticipated, or greatly facilitated and aided, and preserved from the commission of much error and folly which may retard or cripple the usefulness of an institution for years. Where an institution rises up spontaneously, the ignorance of its projectors |