Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-04-23
AReautinuI Narrative.

We think we have no where seen more
simple, touching and beautiful narrative,
showing forth the power of truth, than this
which follows. 1t is from the pen of S. II.
Hammond, the author of Country Margins
most pleasant and genial writer:
az witnessed a short time ago in one of our
higher courts, beautiful illustration of the
simplicity and power of the truth. A little
girl nine years of age was offered as witness
against prisoner who was on trial for felony
committed at her fathers house. 81
''Now Emily, said the counsel for the pris-
oner, upon her being offered as a witness, Il
desire to know if you understand the nature
of an oath? ?"
Il do not know what you mean" was the
simple answer.
"There, your honor" said the counsel, adj
dressing the court, sis anything further neces-
saTy to demonstrate the validity of my OBJ
lection? This witness should be rejected. She
does not comprehend the nature of an OATH
''Let US see," said the Judge. Come here
nv daughter Assured by the kind tone
and manner of the judge, the child stepped
toward him, and looked confidently up in his
face. with a calm, clear eye, and in a manner
SO artIess and frank that it went straight to
the heart. IBID you ever take an oath?'' in
qured the judge. The little girl stepped back
with look of horror. and the rich blood
mantled in blush all over her face and neck
as she answered.
'.No, SIR" she thou ght he intended to inquire
if she had ever blasphemed.
II do not mean that" said the judge, who
saw her mistake, II mean were you ever a
witness before?"
''No sir | never was in court BEFORE" was
the answer.
He handed her the Bible open, "Do you
know that book, my daught, r."
She looked at it. and answered, Eyes 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
quired the judge.
at is the word of the great Cod" she an
swered.
''Well place your hand upon this Billie and
listen to what | say;' and he peated slowly
and sol mnly, the oath usually administered
to witnesses '.Now," said the Judge, lyon
have sworn as witness will you tell me
what will befall you if you do not tell the
truth?';
Il shall be shut up in State Prison. an
swered the child.
Anything else?'' asked the judge.
II shall not go to heaven" she replied.
''How do you know this?" asked the judge
again.
The child took the Bible, and turning rap
idly to the chapter containing the Command
ments, pointed TO the injunction, ''Thou shalt
not bear false witness against thy neighbor."
II learned that" she said "beiore l could
read"
elias any one talked 10 you about being
witness in court here against this mani" 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 ask d me to
t.I hon ha 1V1 han
kneeled down together, and she prayed that
might understand how wicked it was TO bear
false witness against my neighbor, and that
God would help me. little child, to tell the
truth as ii was before him. And when came
up here with father, she kissed me, and told
me to remember the ninth commandment,
and that God would hear every word that |
said"
Do you believe this" ask d the Judge
while tear glistencd in his eye and his lips
quivered with emotion
YES SIR" said the child with voice and
manner that showed her conviction of the
truth was perfect.
''God bless, you my child said the Judge,
'.you have a good mother. This witness is
competent, he continued. Were | on trial
for my IifA. and innocent of the charge against
me. would pray God for such witnesses as
this. Let her be examined"
She told her story with the simpl city of a
child as she was, but there was a directness
about it which carried conviction of its truth
to every heart She was rigidly cross exam
ined. The counsel piled her with infinite and
ingenious questionings, but she varied from
her first statement to nothing. The truth as
spoken by that little child was sublime
Falsehood and perjury had preceded her testi-
mony. The prisoner had entrenchcd himself
in lies, until he deemed himself impregnable
Witnesses had falsified facts in his favor, and
villains had manufactured for him a sham d -
fence. But before her testimony fllsehOod
was scattered like chat. The little child for
whom a mother had prayed for strength to
be given her TO speak the truth as it was be-
fore God, broke down the cunning device of
matured villany to pieces like potters vessel.
The strength that her mother prayed for was
given her, and the sublime and terrible sim
plicity (terrible | mean TO the prisoner and
his perjured assOciates) with which she spoke,
was like a revelation from God himself.