PREACHING WITH HANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21153, 9 April 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

PREACHING WITH HANDS.

REMARKABLE CONGREGATION. ALL DEAF AND DUMB. In a North London church a few weeks aqo a clergyman preached a sermon with his hands to a congregation of nearly a hundred. Every man and woman worshipper in tho church—tho Church of St. John of Beverley, Green Lanes, Finsbury Parkwas deaf and dumb, but tho words of the sermon which they were not able to hear were translated with eloquent hatids into a language they all knew. There was no music or singing, but the service was one of the most moving and impressive ever held. The preacher, the Rev. Vernon Jones, stood in a pulpit in a circle of light focussed on him so that every member of tho congregation had an uninterrupted view of his hands. The service was a special Lenten one, and the simple Bible stories illustrating " Christ, the Comforter." were told with the aid of colourful slides. The congregation, which included many children, followed prayers which were thrown on tho screen hanging from the raftered roof, and a lay reader, Mr. Eric Gibbs, pointed to each word with a pointer. For nearly 90 Mr. Jones preached the sermon with his untiring hands. As he translated each word into the deaf and dumb alphabet, he spoke in order that some might read his lips. Men and women who have never heard the human voice were able to read with their eyes what the rapid fingers were saying. In the vestry after the service Mr. Jones spoke to a reporter of his quarter of a century's work among the deaf and dumb. " 1 would not change my job for any in the world," he said. " Those afflicted with deafness have the advantage that they are not disturbed by noise, and can concentrate all the better on tho service."