The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-03-17

huoouc tuatediiuS Tie trOuuieu DTeaSt,
To know there is an Eden spot, g :.
Where they have found eternal rest
TRUTH---A BEAUTIFUL STORY q
Witnessed short time ago. in one of
our higher courts, a beautiful illustration
OF the simplicity and power of truth. A
little girl nine years of age was offered as
q witness against the prisones,, who was
on trial for felony committed in her. faith.
er's house. "Now Emily" said the pris-
oner, upon her being offered is witness
81 desire to know if you understand the
nature Of an oath2" 4 5sa-ssGss S.
4 don't know what you mean,, was the
simple answer. .,e
There, your honor said, the counsel,
addressing the court, lis anything farthe.
necessary than to demonstrate validity of
my objection? This witness should be re-
jected. She does not comprehend. the
nature of an oath. s ..a sso&
Let rs see' said the Judge; come here
my daughter - Z Z
Assured by the kind tone, and manner
of the Judge, the child stepped towards
him, and looked confidently up in his face
with calm clear eye, and in manner SO
artlsssss and frank, that it went straight to
the heart. sf -
Did you ever take an oalh!' inquired
the Judge. ss ..Ax4a b,sg
The little girl stepped back with look
Of horror and the red blood mantled in q
blush all over her face and neck, as, she
answered, mo SIR She thought, he in
tended to inquire II ahe had ever blasphem-
ed. .1si;Vt IS s1lsa'a
I do not mean that, said the Judge,
who saw her mistake. i mean were you
ever witness beforef' a9rrJA5 {
No, sir. / never was in court before
He handed her the bible open. +,
DO you know that book, my adaugh-
teri sF.. a. bs lRssls =
She e;looked at it and answered, yes,
sir; it is the Bible = - -
DO You ever read it!' he asked. -ss /,
yes, sir; every evening" aioa :
Can you tell me what the Bible is?' in.
quired the judge. 81 zfl
1t is the word of tho great God, she
answered. &
We'll. place yourhand upon this Bible,
and listen to what say;' and he repeat.
ed slowly and solemnly the oath usually
Administered to witnesses. Now said
the judge you have been sworn as wit.
ness, will you tell me what will ,befaH yor
ifyou do not tell the truth?'s -
'Izshall be shut up in the State prison,
answered the. child. ..'-s4 5...sssrssi -
Anything else?' asked thejudge.
u shall never go to heaven she repli
How do you know?' asked the judge
The child took the Bible, and turning
rapidly TO the chapter containing the
commandments, pointed to the Injunction
Thou shalt not bear false witness agaius
thy neighbor.' scat q. q
i learaed that, she said, before I coulc
rcad.' .AAA2 sAtAaac
Has any -one talked with you abou
your beings witness in court against thi.
manl' inquired the judge. ae.sss5 lo
Yes SIR she replied. MY mothe
heard they wanted me to be a witness, ant
last night she called me to her room ant
asked me to tell her the ten commandment
and then we kneeled down aud prayed
that ]. might understand how wicked i
was to bear false witness against my neigh
Dor, aud God would help me little child
to tell the truth as it was before him. =
And when came up here with smotae
she kissed INC; and rold me to remembe
the ninth commandment aud that Go,
would hear every word i suid,' a.
DO you believe .bis?, asked the iudg
while iear glistened IN his eye, and hi
lip quivercd with emotion. s - {
Yes, sir, said the child, with vote
and manner that showed her conviction
of truth was perfect. alsab % -1S 9
God bless you, my chiId.' said tb
Judge you have good mother Thi
witness is competent he continued -
Were I on trial for my life, and innocen
of the charge against Inc, / would pra
God for such witness as this. Let lie
be examined ~
She told her story with the simplicit
of a child, as she WAS, bntthcre was di
rectness about it which carried convictio
ofits truth to every heart She was rig
idly cross. examined. The counsel pile
her with infinite and ingenious quetion
ing, but she varied from her first statemcn
in nothing. The truth as spoken by tina
child was sublime. Falshood and PERU
sry had preceded her testimony Tn
prisoner had entrcnehed himselfin lies un