The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-11-09
The @edford Gazette.
GETTING RID OF SPIRITS.

When spiritualism first made its ap-
pearance in the village of N-,old Dea-
con Isaacs, a wealthy man who had stood
by the church for nearly three score
years, was exceedingly bitteragainst all
believers in the "devils works" as he
called it, and denounced spiritualists
and spiritualism in no very gentle Ian
guage. Imagine the deacon's anger,
then, when, six months afterwards it
had worked its way into his own fami-
ly, and not only were his wife and
daughters sbelieversinit, but oneofthem
was a medium, and possessed full pow
ers to converse with the spirits of those
who had departed to that ''bourne
whence no traveller returns"
Deacon Isaacs was mad-dreadfulIy
mad-but he had wit enough not to
show it, and he bore the taunts of the
ungodly with a 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 express
ed it, and to this end he set himself to
work. He was ofsound judgment, and
his worldly experience of fifty years
was not thrown away.
From the day it first came to his
| knowledge that his wife and daughters
were spiritualists, he never spoke a
word against, nor did he ever allude to
it except in general terms in his morn
| ing prayers, but any one could see that
it troubled him, for he was absent mind
ed, his eyes wandered restlessly, and
his countenance looked carewOrn.
! The deacon witnessed one or two sit
tings at his house and was satisfied that
| if he possessed a little more knowledge
he could get rid of them. so one morn
ing he went to the city, determined to
! thoroughly investigate the subject be-
/ fore he returned. After visiting two of
the most popular mediums, and paying
his money, he returned home satisfied
that he could see through it.
| There was a Sitting" at the deacon's
house on the night that he returned,
and his daughter Mary-the medium
invited the deacon to take a seat at the
table, which to her qualification was ac-
cepted. The spirits were in good tune
and 50 exceedingly communicative that
! the deacon was induced To ask a few
questions which were readily answered
and wife and daughters were in costa
ciesat the thought that father would yet
be a believer, and urged the deacon on
in his inquiries.
| HAS my wife always been true to her
marriage vows? ?" asked thedeacon.
To this question there were no raps
in return, while Mrs. Isaacs stood trans
fixed with holy horror that such
thought should enter her husbands
mind.
GLOW many years has it been since
she was untrue?"
Answer by single raps. They came
slowly and solemnly, one, two, three,
four, and 50 onuntil they reached twen-
! ty.
GLOW many whocIaim to be, are not
my children"
Again the spirit rapped-one, two.
Mrs. Isaacs looked dumbfounded.
"Mercy !" said Mary.
(Which are they?" asked the deacon,
who now seemed 50 intent on his sub
| iect 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.
Mrs. Isaacs could stand it no longer.
cts a lie. l didn't! they are your
children, Deacon Isaacs, and God knows
it! she shrieked, rising from the table.
"But the spirits affirm differently"
said the deacon ina solemn voice.
''Then they lie !" said the wife.
"But if you believe them in every
thing else, why not in t his ?"
"But ] don't believe them at all; 1t IS
all foolery."
"Nor l." shouted Mary.
"Nor l, +" added Sarah.
''Then, +" said the deacon with smile,
"we will bid them good bye, and leave
those things which God has wisely hid
from us, to be revealed in His time.
The deacOn's evening devotions were
characterized with more earnestness
than usual and the family retired to bed
fully satisfied that the spirits did not
always reveal the truth.
Mrs. Isaacs was glad that none OF the
neighbors were present but somehow
the story got out, and so fearful were
the spiritdame Of N, that they might
be caughtin the same trap which the
deacon had set, that spiritualism and
itsconcomitant evils We're edriven entire
Iy from the village.
uzz-~rz1z~Euz-=7=~zz~-~~--u----@
Patriotism in IS64-NO power on
earth can or shall dissolve the Union.