New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-04-05

The following beautiful Illustration Of the simplicity
and the power OF truth is from the pen OF y H. liam
mond formerly editor Of the Albany State Register
He was an eyewitness Of the scene in one OF the
higher courts
A little Girl. nine years Of age, was offered as
witness against prisoner who was on trial for q
felony committed IN her fathers house.
"Now Emily said the counsel for the prisoner
upon her being offered Witness al desire to know
4 il YOU understand the nature of an oath n
II don't know what you mean,a was the simple
answer.
the court dis anything further necessary to demon
strate the validity OF my objection? This witness
should be rejected. She does not comprehend the
nature of an oath.n
let US see.r said the Judge. "Come here my
daughter.n
Assured BY the kind tone and manner of the Judge
the child stepped toward him, and looked conidingli
up in his face with calm clear eye and In a manned
aress and frank that it went straight to the heart
:" Did yon ever take an oath ~ inquired the Judge
The little girl stepped back with a look of horror
and the red blood mantled in blush all over her face
and neck as she answered
No sir =
She thought he intended to inquire if she had ever
II do not mean that said the Judge, who saw
her mistake. !. mean were you ever a witness
before Z"
No, sir, never was in court before" was the
answer.
Do you know that book, my daughter "
She looked at il and answered, Yes, sir, it is the
Bihle.r
g DO you ever read it . he asked.
~. Yes, sir, every evening"
Can you tell me what the Bible is inquired the
Judge.
at is the word Of the great Cod she answered.
:. Well, place your hand upon this Bible, and listen
to what say Z: and he repeated slowly and soemnly
the oath usually administered to witnesses
Now" said the Judge, "you have sworn as a wit
ness, Will You tell me what will befall you if you do
not tell the truth ~
Il shall be shut in State Prison. answered the
child.
Anything else ~ asked the Judge
81 shall never 90 to Heaven she replied.
How do yon know thiss'' asked the Judge again.
The child took the bible, and turning rapidly the
chapter containing the commandments, pointed to
the injunction, Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbor "Ilesrned that before could
read.n
elias any one talked with you about your being a
witness In court here against this man ?? inquired the
judge.
''Tes. sir,r she replied. "My mother heard they
wanted me to be witness and last night she called
me 10 her room and asked me to tell her the Ten
Commandments, and then we kneeled down together
and she prayed that might understand how wicked
il was to bear false witness against my neighbor and
that God would help me, little child, to tell the
truth as it was before him. And when came up
here with father, she kissed me and told me to
tcul thbcI lDC NttAtu anu LlAJ GOD
would hear every word that said
'Do you believe this n asked the Judge, while
tear gstened in his eye, and his lip quivered with
emotion.
YES SIR said the child, with voice and manner
that showed her conviction Of its truth was perfect
God bless you, my child said the Judge, "you
have good mother. This witness is competent
he continued. "Were on trial for my life, and in.
nocent OF the charge, would pray God for such wit
nesses as this. Let her be examined"
She told her story with the simplicity of child
as she was, but there drectness about it which
carried conviction of its truth to every heart She
was rigidly crossexamned. The counsel piled her
with infinite and ingenious questioning but she va.
ried IRON her first statement in nothing The truth
as spoken by that little child was sublime. False
hood and perjury had preceded her testimony. The
pgisonerhad ntrenched himself in lies till he deemed
himself impregnable. Witnesses had manufactured
for him sham defence. But before her testimony,
Iaisehood was scattered like chaf The little child
for whom a mother had prayed for strength to be
given her TO speak the truth as it was before God.
broke the cunning devices Of matured vainy to
pieces like potters vessel. The strength that her
mother prayed for was given her and the sublime
and terrific simplicity mean to the prisoner
and his assoclate--with which she spoke was like
revelation from God himself u