Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-02-15
GETTING RID OF THE SPIRITS.

Deacon Isaacs, wealthy man, who had
stood by the church for nearly three
score years. was exceedingly bitter
against all believers IN the devils
work" as he called it, and denounced
spiritualists and spiritualism in no very
gentle language. Imagine the Deacon's
anger then. when six months afterward
he found it had worked its way into his
own family, and not only were his wife
and daughters believers, but one of
them was q mediom. 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--dreadfully
mad-but he had wit enough not to show
it. and he bore the taunts of the ungod-
ly 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, and he was
sure to be defeated. He must "circum.
vent the critter, as he expressed it, and
to that 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 never
spoke word against nor did he ever al
lude to it, except in general terms in his
morning prayers but any one could see
that it troubled him. for he was absent
minded. his eyes wandered restlessly,
and his countenance looked careworn.
The Deacon witnessed one or two
''sittings" at his own house. and was
satisfied that if he possessed little more
knowledge he could get rid Of the annoy
ance. So one morning he started for
the city. determined to thoroughly inves-
tigate the subject before he returned.
After visiting two of the most popular
mediums, and paying his money, he re-
turned home satisfied that he could "see
through" it.
There was ''sitting" at the Deacon's
house on the night he returned. and his
daughter Mary--the medium-invited
the Deacon to take a seat at the table.
which, to her qualification, was accept
ed The spirits we're in good tune and
SO exceedingly communicative that the
Deacon was induced to ask few ques-
tions. which were readily answered, and
wife and daughters were in extacies at
the thought that father would yet be
believer, urged the Deacon on in his
inquiries.
HAS my wife always been true to her
marriage vows ?" asked the Deacon.
To this question there were no raps
in return, while Mrs. Isaacs sat trans
fixed with holy horror that such
thought should enter her husbands
mind.
"How many years have passed since
she was untrue p
Answer by single raps. Then came
slowly and solemnly. one, two. three,
four. and 50 on, until they reached
twenty.
.How many who claim TO be are not
my children p
Again the spirit rapped-one, two.
Mrs. Isaacs looked dumhfounded.
Mercy :" said Mary.
(Which are they ?" asked the Dea-
con, who now seemed so intent on his
subject that he paid no attention TO his
companions.
"Mary-Sarah. ;" raped the spirits
the names of the two daughters, the old
er of whom was under twenty.
Mrs. lsaacs could stand it no longer.
"Its lie | didn't It's a lie ]"
she shrieked, rising from the table;
.they are your children, Deacon Isaacs,
and God knows il.
But the spirits affirm differently"
said the Deacon in solemn voice.
Then they lie. said the wife.
but if you believe them in every
thing else. Why not in this 2"
But don't believe in them at all;
it Is all foolery
Nor {" shouted Mary.
"NorI added Sarah.
"Then," said the Deacon, while a
smile illuminated his countenance, I'VE
will bid them good-b and leave those
things which God has wisely hidden
from Us to be revealed in His time"
The Deacon's evening devotions were
characterized with more earnestness than
usual, and the family retired fully salts
fed that the spirits and mediums did not
always reveal the truth
Mrs. Isaacs was glad that none Of the
ueighbors we're present but somehow the
story got wind. and 50 fearful we're the
spirit danes Of n that they might
be caught 10 some trap which the Deacon
had set. that spirituaIisn was driven
entirely from the village.
.----------~----
IsTAsr MoHTALIrY.--James A. Now
att. writing on this subject, says ''0at
meal pOrridge. rnush aud milk, bread
and milk. potatoes aud milk form the
principal food for children amongst the