The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-04-17
Getting Rid of the spirits.

Getting Rid of the Spirits.
When spiritualism first made its ap
pearance in the village of ~, old
Deacon Isaacs, wealthy man who had
stood by the church for nearly three
score years was exceedingly bitter against
all believers in the ''devil's work" as he
called, and denouncins all spiritualists
and spiritualism in no very gentle Ian
guage. Imagine the deacon's anger, then
when, six months afterward he found il
had worked its way into his fami-
ly, and were not only his wife and
daughters believers; but one of them was
a medium, and possessed full power tc
converse with the spirits of those ~whc
had departed to that bourne from which
no traveller returns
Deacon Isaacs 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 it would
be useless to declare open war, for Mrs:
Isaacs alone had always proved more
than match for him, aud he was sure to
be defeated. He must scircumyent the
critters" as he expressed it, and to this
end he set himself at work. He was 9
man of sound judgment, and his worldly
experience of fifty years was not thrown
laway. From the day it first came to his
knowledge that his wife and daughters
were spiritualists, he never spoke WORD
against it, except ia general terms in
morning prayers, but any one could see
that it troubled him, for be was absent
minded, his eyes wandered restlessly, and
his countenance looked careworn.
The deacon witnessed one or two .ssit
tings" at his own house. and was salts
fed that if he possessed q little morl
knowledge he coald get rid of them. 81
one morning he started for the city, de
termined to thoroughly investigate tn
subject before he returned. After visit
| ing two of the most popular mediums
and paying his money, he returned hom
satisfied that he could see through it.
There was 'sitting" at the deacon
house on the night that he returned, ant
his daughter Mary-the medium-invit
ted the deacon 20 take seat at the ia
BILE, which to her qualification was ac
cepted. The spirits were in good tun'
and SO exceedingly communicative tha
the deacon was induced to ask. a fev
questions which were readily answered
and the wife and daughters were in costa
cies at the thought that father would ye
be a believer, and urged the deacon on il
his inquiries.
"Has my wife always been true to he
marriage vows2" asked the deacon.
To this question. there were no rap
in return, while Mrs. Isaacs sat trans6x
ed with holy horror that such though
should enter her husband s mind,
"How many years have passed sine
she was untrue? Answer by singl
raps."
They came slowly and solemnly, one
two, three,so on until they reached twen
ty.
Glow many who claim to be are nc
my children?"
| Again the spirit rapped-one two.
4 Mrs. Isaacs looked dumbfounded.
i "Mercy p said Mary.
(Which are they?" said the deacor
who now seemed SO intent on his sui
lject that he paid no attention to his com
i panions.
''Mary-sarah," raped the spirit, tn
names of the two daughters, the older G
which was under twenty.
/. Mrs. Isaacs could stand it no Ion
ger.
TITS lie | didn't It's lie |
she shrieked, raising from the table
E"they are your children Deacon Isaac
and God knows it p
but the spirits affirm differently,
said the deacon in solemn voice.
"Then they lie Said his wife.
/ "But If you believe them in ever
f thing else, why not in this?"
/ "ButI don't believe them at all; it
all foolery'
'sNor /, shouted Mary.
!. "Nor |, added Sarah.
"Then, said the deacon, while smi
Illuminated his countenance, 1--WE will bi
them good bye, and leave those thing
which God has wisely hidden from u
to be revealed in his time."
The deacon's evening devotions wei
characterized with more. earnestness tha
usual, and the family retired fully satil
! fed that the spirits and mediums did n,
always reveal the truth.
Mrs. Isaacs was so glad that none
) the neighbors were present; but SON
how the story got wind, and SO fearft
were the spirit danes of NJ, thi
. they might be caught in the same ira
, which the deacon had set, that spi
itualism and its concomitant evils wei
driven entirely from the village.