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The impression made by the first idea of God which strikes the mind varies with the mental constitution, habits of attention, and reflection of the pupil. In most cases it enters the mind gradually, and no instantaneous effect is perceived. With some individuals, however, it has happened that in following a course of thought like that above suggested, though more full and minute, when a certain point is reached, the sublime idea of God has seemed to burst at once upon the mind with overwhelming power. The temple that was before tenantless and lonely is filled with glory, and the soul shrinks with awe and amazement before the presence of its Maker, till now unknown. Similar to this was the experience of Massieu, the celebrated pupil of Sicard. The Abbé relates that when, after preparing his mind by a course of argument like the one adverted to above, though of a more elevated character, he came to announce to him, as the author of the beings and things he saw around him. "God, the object of our worship, before whom the heavens, the earth and the seas quake and are as nothing, Massieu instantly became terrified, and trembling as if the majesty of this great God had rendered itself visible, and had impressed all his being, he prostrated himself, and thus offered to this great Being, whose name then struck his view for the first time, the first homage of his worship and his adoration. When recovered from this sort of ecstasy, he said to me by signs these beautiful words, which I shall not forget while I have life -- 'Ah! laissez-moi aller à mon père, a ma mère, a mes frères, leur dire qu'il y a un Dieu; ils ne le savent pas.' 'Oh! let me go to my father, to my mother, to my brothers, to tell them that there is a God; they do not know him.' 'They do know him, my child; it is him they go to supplicate in that temple whither they formerly conducted you. They do know him; all those who hear and speak know him as well as you.'" (3)

Deaf-mutes, as a class, are deeply impressed with religious truth, when once made acquainted with it. The striking narratives of the Scriptures never lose their attractions. The principles and duties laid down in the New Testament are much in their thoughts, and allusion is often made to them in their letters and in the daily exercises of the school-room. Except in rare instances, religious instruction is received with interested and profound attention. Allowance doubtless must be made for the freshness and novelty with which these subjects come to them, and also for the fact that their minds, are less occupied with other kinds of knowledge than those of persons who have heard from infancy. It is not singular, however, that themes which relate to spiritual life, to God, the soul and eternity, coming in upon a mind in a great degree unoccupied by the subjects which employ the thoughts, and absorb so much of the attention of other men, should make a strong and decided impression.

It is a pleasant circumstance in the discipline of a community of deaf-mutes, that they are peculiarly susceptible to the feeling of religious obligation. No arguments affect their conduct so powerfully as those drawn from this source. The approbation of God is constantly held up to them (we can speak confidently only in regard to the American Asylum, but presume the same is true in our other institutions) as the highest motive for right action, and its effect upon the deaf-mute, who in many cases has never been subjected to the least restraint previous to entering the Institution, is a strong testimony to its power over all classes of men, if properly presented. Religious obligation, when brought before the mind of a deaf-mute, usually receives a prompt assent and a ready compliance, so far as the external conduct is concerned, although the heart may not be touched. When he does wrong, and the nature of his conduct is shown to him, he will generally frankly, acknowledge his fault, and express a desire and purpose to amend. In most cases, he manifests an entire willingness to perform religious duty. He is instructed in the duty and privilege of prayer: of confessing his sins to God, and asking for the blessings he needs; and very soon he forms the habit, unknown perhaps to any one but to him who reads the language of the heart, and maintains it with great constancy and seriousness. Indeed so general is this habit among our pupils that, although there are prayerless ones among them, they are the exceptions. It is interesting to notice the care which even very young pupils, who have been only a short time in the school, will take to secure retirement, and the regularity with which they perform this most natural duty that a creature owes to his Creator. It is as if the soul, long enveloped in darkness, had now caught some glimmerings of light to show in which part of the heavens it might expect the rising sun, and with a sense of its pressing want was looking and longing for the presence of its reviving beams.