Smyrna times., 1858-03-04
4 Powerful Witness,

T~uth makes a child psweriul. AS an illus
traton Of this, read the following article from
the pen OF 5. Ii. Hammond, formerly editor of
the Albany state R"g lister:
| witnessed short Time aTo, in one of our
courts, Il beautiful illustration of the simplicity
and power Of truth. A little girl, nine years
OF age, vas offered as a witness against prison.
rr who was on trial for a felony committed in
her fathers house.
"Now Emily" sand the counsel for the prison.
er, upon her being offered as a witness, 81 de-
sire TO know ifyOu understand the nature Of an
oath :"
81 don't know what you mcan," was the
simple answer
There, your Honor" said the counsel, adj
dressing the court, I" is anything further neces-
sary to demonstrate the validity of my objec-
lon The witness should be rejected She
koes not comp ehend the nature ofan oath"
Let me see,'' said the Judge. "Come here,
my daughter" Assured by the kind tone and
manner of the Judge, the child stepped towards
INN, and looked confidently up in his face, and
with a calm, clear eye, and in manner so art
less and frank, that It went straight to the
heart.
Did you ever take an oath I" inquired the
Judge. The little girl stepped back and with
IA blush all over her face and neck, as she ans
wered, "No SIR" She thought he intended to
inquire if she had ever bIasphemed.
al do not mean that" said the Judre. who
saw her mistake, 81 mean, were you ever a
witness before! - "No sir, | never was in
court BEFORE was her answer.
He handed her the Bible open. ado you
know that book, my daughter!" She looked
at 1t and answered, Yes sir, it is the Bible"
"Do you ever read it !" he asked. ayes
sir, every evening"
"Can You tell me what the Bible is - in
qured The Judge. alt is the word of the great
God, she answered.
"Well place your hand upon this Bible, and
listen TO what | say; ;" and he repeated slowly
and sOemnly the oath usually administered To
witnesses. Now" aid the Judge, YOU have
sworn as witness; will you tell me what will
befall you if you do not tell the truth !" 81
hall be shut up in the State Prison." answered
the child
Anything else !'' asked the Judge. 81
shall never go to Heaven" she answered.
"HOw do you know this I" asked the Judge
again The child took the Bible and turning
rapidly to the chapter containing the Command
menis, pointed to the injunction, "Thou shalt
not bear false witness against thy neighbor,"
ICdIbCu Aldl UClOIC 1 COulu Teau.
Has any one talked to you about your being
witness IN court here against this man :" in
quired the Judge. "Yes, SIR" she replied
My Mother heard they wanted me to be a
witness, and last night she called me to her
room, and asked me to tell her the Ten Com
mandments, and then we kneeled down togeth.
er, and she prayed that might understand how
wicked 1t was 10 bear false witness against nv
neighbor, and that God would help me- little
child, to tell the truth it was before him
And when ! came up here with father she
kssed me, and told me to remember the ninth
commandment, and that God would hear eyery
word that said"
"Do you believe this!" asked the Judge.
while tear glistened in his eye, and his lin
quivercd with emotion. 1" Yes, SIR" sad the
child, with voice and manner tina showed her
conviction Of its truth was perfect.
"God bless you, my child" sad tie Judpc ::
.you have "A good mother. This witness is
competent" he continued. "Were | on tr;al
ttr my llio, and Innocent of the chlrge against
me, would pray God for such witnesses as
this let her be examined"
She told her story with the simplicity or n
child, as she was, but there was a dircctness
a out 1t which carried conviction of its truth to
every heart. She was rigidly crosse examined.
Ho couheel PIied ucr Win lnhnlte and luge-
tn:ous Questioning, but She varied from her first
statement in nothing. The truth, as spoken
by that little child, was sabime The strength
That her mother prayed for, was given her, AID
and the sublime and terrible Simplicity [terfible.
meaT to the ptisoier Tnd his associstes) with
WIN eh she spoke,was like a rcvehtioh from God
| himself.
IT Ha4--~s no
| G2-tThe Cleveland Reg lister makes the iol-
lowing goodlhat =" Whether Queen Vletor,a's
red petite, ats wllfbecome fashion in Ameri.
ca, Is yet to be known. 1t iscertaih, however,
that the attemPis, of some of he's. male prede.
cessors to intrsDdhce Alhtlr red c0ais iuto tho
country did. not snecesd."uOO0 40 gEhq A