I have not the space, nor is it in my province in this short article, to describe or appeal on behalf of the needs of this institution, but the interested ones should see for themselves, and if within their power, help.
Excepting the chaplain's wife, herself an expert follower of her husband's method, I was the first to arrive. The lights were low, and there was nothing about the dim church save the absence of choir stalls and pulpit to suggest the unusual nature of its mission.
Presently a distant door opened, a shuffling step dragged along the aisle. The first member of the congregation took his rags with him into a front seat. He was a shoeblack down on his luck, but nobody turned him out. In Mr. Gilby's flock all are equals, all are friends in their common adversity. The first seats are for the first comers.
A few moments later and the congregation was nearly complete. Here and there one caught a flash of recognition between two friends, then up went two pairs of hands flashing white in the dim light as an animated conversation took place across the church. By the time the church was half full a whole volley of chatter was playing round; everywhere the darkness was alive with flickering, speaking hands, and faces vibrating with expressive gesture. It was an odd scene, weird and uncanny to the hearing visitor who sat misunderstood and not understanding amid the silent throng.
"DEAR DEAF AND DUMB FRIENDS WE WISH YOU
In a few moments the chaplain, attired in the usual canonicals, appeared, and the service commenced.
Throughout the proceedings there was no sound but the dull roar of passing omnibuses and cabs outside. Not a hymn, not a word, only that indescribable hush, almost unnerving to one strange to the scene. Yet throughout the service, in the prayers, in the sermon, not an eye strayed from the slight figure talking in a language of his own at the little desk on the altar steps.
At first the ghostly reality of this strange sermon dispelled all other thoughts. It did not seem comprehensible that there could be any connection between the chaplain and the attentive congregation, but here and there one could catch a reflection of one of his gestures on the face of an intent watcher.