The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-06-14
GETTING RID OF sP1m1rs.

When spiritualism first made its ap.
pearance in the village Of N, old
Deacon Isaacs, wealthy man who
had stood by the church for nearly
three score years, was exceedingly
bitter against all believers in the "dev
lis work" as he called it, and denorn.
ced spirtualists and spirituaIism in
no very gentle language. Imagine
the dcacon's anger, then, when, six
months afterwards it had worked its
way into his own family, and not only
were his wife ard daughters believers
in it, but one Of them was medium.
and possessed full powers to converse
with the spirits of those who had de.
parted to that "bourne whence no tray
eler returns"
Deacon lsaacs was mad--dreadfully
mad--but he had wit enough not to
show it, and he bore the taunts of the
ungodly with meek spirit. He knew
that it would be useless to declare
open war, for Mrs. Isaacs alone had
always proved more than a match for
him, and he was sure to be defeated.
He must "circumvent the critter," as
he expressed it, and to this end he set
himself to work. He was of sound
judgment, and his worldly experience
OF fifty years was not thrown away.
From the day it first camo to his
knowledge that his wife and daugh.
teys were spiritualists, he never spoke
word again, nor did he ever allude TO
it except in general terms in his morn
ing prayers, but any one could see
that il troubled him. for he was absent
minded, his eyes wandered restlessly,
and his countenance looked care
worn.
The deacon witnessed ono or two
sttings athis house, and was satisfied
that if he possessed little more knowl.
edge he could get rid of them. SO one
morning he went to the city, deter
mined TO thoroughly investigate the
subject before he returned. After
visiting two of the most popular me-
diums, and paying his money, he re-
turned home satisfied that he could see
through it.
There was a sitting at the deacon's 8
house on the night that he returned,
and his daughter Mary--the medium
invited the deacon to take seat at the
table, which to her qualification was
accepted. The spirits we're in good
tune and so exceedingly communica-
tive that the deacon was induced 10
ask few questions which were readi-
ly answered, and wife and daughters
were in ectacies at the thought that
father would yet be believer, and ur-
ged the deacon on in his inquiries.
"Has my wife always been true to
her marriage vows?' asked the dea-
con.
To this question there were no raps
in return, while Mrs Isaacs stood trans
fixed with holy horror that such a
thought should enter her husband s
head
"How many years has it been since
she was un,rue?"
Answer by single raps. They came
slowly and solemnly, one, two, three,
four and so on until they reached
twenty.
"How many who claim to be, are
not my children?"
Again the spirit rapped--one, two
Mrs Isaacs looked dumbfoundsd.
Mercy" said Mary.
(which are they?' asked the dca-
con, who now seemed so intont on the
subject that he paid no attention to
his companions.
"Mary--Sarah," raped the spirits,
the names of the two daughters, the
older Of whom was under twenty.
Mr.. Isaacs could stand it no longer
"Its a lie didn't! they are your
children, Deacon Isaacs, and God knows
it'll" she shrieked, raising from tho Ia
bic.
"But the spirits affirm differently
said the deacon in a solemn voice.
"Thcn they lie, !" said the wife.
"But if you believe them in every
thing else, why not in thisY"
"But l don't believe them at all; il
is foolery.'
Nor l." shouted Mary.
"Nor l." added Sarah.
"Then," said the deacon, with smile
tive will bid them good bye, and leav,
those things which God has wisely bic
from us, to be revealed in His OWL
good time"
The dcacon's evening devotion
were characterized with more earnest
ness than usual. and the family retired
to bed fully satisfied that the spirit
did net always reveal the truth.
Mrs. Isaacs was glad that none 0
the neighbors wero present; but SOM
how the story got out, and so fearful
were the spirit danes of N, tina
they might be caught in the same tral
which the deacon had set that spiritual
ism and its concomiLant evils wer
driven entirely from the village.
The Butter Makers Golden Rule.
The great secret in butter making,