Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1866-10-24
Getting Rid of the Spirits.

WHEN spiritualism first made its appear
ance in the village of n ----, old Deacan
Igaacs, worthy man, who had stood by the
church for nearly three score years, was ex-
ceedingy bitter against all believers IN the
devils work" as he called It. and denounc-
ed spiritualists and spiritualsm in no every
gentle language. Imagine the deacon'S an
ger. then, when six months aiterward be
found it had worked its way into his family,
and not Only were his vile and daughters
believers, but one Of them was medium,
and possessed full power TO converse with the
spirits of those who had departed to that
| "bourne from which no traveller returns"
Deacon IsaacS was mad-dreadlul mad, but
| he had wit enough not to show It, and be
bore the taunts OF the ungodly with meek
sDirit. He knew it would be useless to de-
| clare open war, for Mrs. IsaaCs alone had al
wavs proved a match for him, aud he was
sure to be defeated. He must circumvent
| the critters" as he expressed it, and TO this
end he set himself at work. He was man
of sound Judgment, and his worldly expert
ence OF fifty years was not thrown away
From the day it first came to his knowledge
that his wife and daughters were spirituaiistS,
he never spoke a word againStit nor did he
ever allude to it, except in general terms in
hls morning and evening prayers. But any
one could see that it troubled him, for he was
ahsentminded, his eyes wandered restessly,
and his countenance looked caTewOTn.
The Deacon witnessed one or two 'si'tngs
at his own house, and was satisfied that if he
possessed little more knowledge he could
oct rid of them. So one morning he started
Tor the city, determined to thoroughly lnves-
tigqte the subject before he returned. Alter
visiting two of the most popular mediums,
ana paying his money, he returned home
satisfied that he could see through it.
There was a sitting" at the deacon;
house on the night he returned, and his dau'
! ghter Mary-the medium-invited the dea'
con to take a seat at the table, which to bel
qualification was accepted. The spirits were
, in GOOD tune and 50 exceedingly Commumca
! tive that the deacon was induced to ask lev
Questions, which were readily answered, ant
Vile and daughters were in erStacies at tn
thought that father would yet be be
lever, and urged the deacon on in his in
1 quiries.
+ "IIas nv wife always been true to he
q marriage vows? asked the deacon.
To this question there were no raps in re
turn. while Mrs IsaacS sat transiXed with he
y ly horror that such thought should enter ne
husbands mind
c How many years have passed since 81
j. was untrue? Answer by single raPs.'
Y Tlev came, slowly and sOemnly, one
q o--three-lour-an so on, until the
reach twenty.
How many who claim to be are not n
chi'dren?"
/ Again the spirit rapped-nne-two.
Y Mrs. Isaacs looked dumJlcuuded.
e Mercy r. said Mary.
e (Which are they 2" asked the deacon, wi
now seemed so intent on his snbject that
paid no attention to his companion.
s "Mary-Sarah," raped the spirits II
names of the two daughters, the older
which was under twenty.
4 Mrs. Isaacs could stand it no longer.
- Its lie! I didn't It's lie y ST
e shrieked, rising from the table, " they al
:: your children deacon Isaacs, and God know
i it."
% "But the sTirits affirm differently said Il
e deacon in a solemn tone.
- "Then they lie ~ said his wife
.e "But if you bsIIeye them IN everythlr
M else. why not in this p
:. but don't believe them at all; tits
loolery"
n "NorI," shouted Mary.
IN "Nor !, added Sarah.
a sThen," said the deacon, while a smI
le iIlumed his countenauce, we will bid the
q coed bye. and leave those things which GC
7- has wisely hidden from US, to be revealed
h his time"
Il The deacon's evening devotions were cha
% acterized by more earnestness than usual, al
Il the family retired fully satisfied that mediur
e. and spirits did rot always reveal the truth.
to Mrs. Isaacs was so glad none of the neig
ID bors were there; but somehow the story
- wind. and so fearful were the spirlt-dames
ct ". that they might be caught in Il
- same trap which the deacon had sat, that sp
itualisln and its concomitant evils were dr
p' en- entirely from the village.