The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1869-05-22
Testing the Spirits.

Y
pearance in the village of-2i.--J old 'Deas
con Isaacs, rich maa who has stood by
the church -for-nearly ~threeseere years,
was exceedingly bitter against all be-
levers in the "devils work." as he call
ed it, and denounced spiritualists and
spiritualism in no very gentle language.
Imagine the deacon's anger, then, when
six months afterwards he found it had
worked its way into his family, and not
only were his wife and daughters be-
lievers, 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 re-
turns" '
DEACON Tsaacs Vas mad dfeadtalfy'
mad; but he had wit enough not to
showait, and he bore the taunts of the
upgodly with meek spirit. he knew
it would bctuseless to declare open war;
for Mrs. Isaacs alone had proved more
than Il match for him, aud he was sure
to be defeated. He must acircumvent
the critter," as he expressed it. and tb
this end he set himself to work. He
was man of sound 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 nevor
spoke word against nor did he ever
allude to it, except in general terms in
his morning prayers; but any one could
see that it troubled him; for he was abb
sent-minded, his eyes wandered restless.
ly, and ho looked care-wor.n.. t'ni o. ''a
The Deacon witnessed Nis-d one or two
"sittings" at his own house, and was
satisfied that if ho possessed little more
knowledge he could get rid of them ~ So
one morning he started for the city, de-,
terniined to thoroughly investigate the
subject, before he returned. Af-
ter visiting two of the most popular
mediums and paying his money, he re-
turned home, sa.isssa that he could see
through it.
There was sitting" at the deacon's
house on the night he returned and
his daughter Nlary-the mediunl-in-
vitcd the deacon to take seat at the
table, which, to her qualification, was ac-
cepted The spirits were in good tune,
and so exceedingly communicative that
the deacon was Induced to ask few
questions, which were readily answered
and the wife and daughters were in &C.
stasics at the thought that father would
yet be believer; aud urged the deacon
on in his inquiries.
Has my wife always been true to her
marriage vows?" asked the deacon.
To this question there we're no rans in
.-turn, while siirs. Tsaacs sat transfxed
with holy horror .hat such thought
should. cutter her husbands mind
"llow many years have passed since
size was untruc?"
Answer BY single rops. Then came
slowly and solemn!y, one, two, three, four
and so on, until they reached twenty
How many who claim to be are not
my children"
Again the spirits rappcd-one, two.
Mrs. Isaacs looked dunbfounded.
Mercy" said Mary.
(Which are thcy?" asked the deacon
who now seemed so intent on his shbiec
that he paid no attention to his compa
Mons
"Alary, Sarah" raped the spirits
the names of the two daughters, tn,
older of which was under twenty.
Mrs. lsaacs could stand it no longer.
"Its lie I didn't it's a lie v' sh,
shriekcd, rising from the table "1'he,
are your children, Deacon Isaacs ;iant
God knows it."
but the spirits affirm differently,
said the deacon in a solemn voice.
Then they lie ~ said the wife.
"But, if you believe them in cve er,
thing else, why not in this?"
"But l don't believe in them at all
it is all foolery."
"Nor T." shouted Mary.
"Nor !" added Sarah. s.
"Then," said the deacon, while a smil
illuminated his countenance, "we will
bid them good-hy, and leave those thing
which God has wisely HID from us to b
revealed in his time"