The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-02-17
i POWERFUL WITNESS.

. krukh mttts SIN V"WN'ia'. 80 -
illustration of this. read The following arti-
Gle from tie pen Of 3. u. Hammond, former
~ editor Of the Albany State Register
1 witnessed short time ago, IN one Of our
courts, a beautiful illustration OF the s,mph-
city and power Of truth. 4 little girl nine
wears Of age, was offered asa witness against
a prisoner who was on trial FOR felony CON-
mitted III her fathers house.
Now, Emily" said the counsel for the
prisoner, upon her being offered asa witness,
n desire to know If you understand the IA.
,ure Of an oath p Il don't know what you
mean. was the simple answer.
There, your Honor" said the counsel,
addressing the court, :" is anything further
necessary to demonstrate the validity OF my
nhiections The witness should be rejected.
She does not comprehend the nature cf an
OATH"
LET us see" said the Judge. "Come
here. nv daughter" Assured hy the kind
tone and manner of The Judge. the child step
ped toward him, and looked confidently up
IN his face, and with calm clear eye, and in
a manner sd artless and frank, that II went
straight to the heart.
Ibid YOU ever take an oath" inquired the
Judge. The little girl stepped back with y
iook of hnrrur, and the red blood mantled IN
blush all over her face and neck, as she
answered, :" No. SIR She thought he M
le,,ded To inquire il she had ever bIssphemed.
II do nut mean that said the Judge.
yao saw her mistake; al mean, we're you
ever witness belures' "No, sir, never
was in court before." was the answer.
He handed her the Bible open. DO you
Snnw thar houk, my dausheri" She looked
att aud answered. j" Yes, sir, it's the Bible !"
Dn YOU ever read III" he asked. Yes.
sic, every evening
s'Gan YOU tell me what the Bible isF' IN.
qpred the Judge. :" Il is the word OF the
great God,' she answered.
Well, place your hand upon the Bible.
and listen TO what saw" and he repeated
slowly aud solemnly the oath usually admins
stored 10 witnesses Now" said the Judge,
YOU have sworn as witness; will you tell
me what will befdl sou il YOU donot tell the
iru,h:'' "a shall be shut up in the State
Prison. answered the child.
Anything else:" asked the Judge. 81
shah never 90 to heaven" she answered.
. Hnw DO uknow this !" asked the Judge
sgain. The child took the Bible. and turn.
ing rapidly to the chapter containing the
Commandments, pointed to the injunction,
Then shalt not bear false witness against
nv neighbour" 81 learned that before |
could read"
Has any one talked with you about your
being witness III court here against this
man p inquired the Judge. " les, sir, she
replied. My mother heard they wanted
me for witness, aud last night she called
rae 10 her room, and asked me to tel her the
Ten Commandments. and then we kneeled
lawn together, and she prayed that | might
understand how wicked il was 10 bear false
gitness against thy neighbour. aad that God
would help ne. little child, to tell the truth
- twas before him. And when | came M
here With father, she kissed me. and told me
q. remember tie ninth commandment, and
tat Gid would hear every wurd that said.
.Da YOU believe this r asked the Judge.
aaile a tear glistened in his eye, anti his lip
aIisere,l with emotion. Yes, sir, said the
chiid, with voice and manner rlat showed
Ter conviction Of its lfaih Was perfect.
God bless you. nv child. = said the Judge
3ycu have good mither. TINS witness i
competent" liz continued. Were on trial
frm my life, and innocent Of the Charge against
ms, would pray God Tor such witnesses IS
his. Let her be examined"
She tod her story Witil the simplicity Of q
cid. a. she was. but there vas directnes'
s8nut Il which carried conviction 81 rs irutl
svery heart. She vas rsidiY eroSs.exain.
isel. The counsel Piled her with inhnt,
sai Ingenious questioning, bat she varied
ltan her FIRST statement 10 nothing. Ths
tilih. u spoken 5y that little child, was sub
linz Fslschood and perjury tad preceded
het testimony. The prisoner lad entrench'
cd himself IN lies. until he deemed himself
Eaare.nabie. Witness had islsifird facts u
. favour, aud tillany hal manufactured ~
Ina sham defence. But before her testimo
MS, iaIseioOd was scattered like chaf. lbt
itsir cuild, for whom mother had prayet
81 strength TO be given her TO speak thi
18th as i was beiure God, brnke the cunning
Uesiers Of malured siisny 20 pieces like
uopers vessel Tie strength that her motto
pfayeI Tor was given her, and the sublin
asa terrible simplicity terrible. ! mean, {
- prisoner aud his ssspeiaips, With Whlcl
t= spoke, was like a revelation from Co
HI4seIf.