Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-05-13
SIMPLICITY or rR17PH

SIMPLICITY OF TRUTH. $50
I witnessed short time ago, in one of our high
courts, beautiful illustration Of the simplicity and
power Of truth:
A little girl, nine years of age, was offered as
witness against prisoner who was on trial for felo
ny committed in her fathers house. sa5
Now, Emily" said the counsel for the prisoner,
upon her being offered as witness, 81 desire to
understand if you know the nature Of an oath Z"
II don't know what you mean" was the simple
answer. .. r's.s
"There, your honor" said the counsel, address
ing the court, "is any thing farther necessary to
demonstrate the validity Of my objections? This
witness should be rejected She does not comp e.
bend the nature Of an OATH"
Let US Sec" said the Judge, "come here my
daughter"
:; assured by the kind tone and manner of the
confidently up in his face with calm, clear eve.
and in manner so artless and frank that it went
straight to the heart.
ibid you ever take an oath p inquired the Judge.
The little girl stepped back with look of horror,
ana the red bloed mantled in blush all over her
iace ana neck, as she answered, No SIR" She
tnooght ne intended to inquire if she had ever bias
phemed.
IL do not mean that" said the judge who saw
fore p e. w
He handed her the Bible open.
"Do you know that book, my daughters
Bible" ' '''
"Do you ever read ifg" he asked.
Yes, sir-every evening"
Can you tell me what the Bible isY'
1T is the word of the great God" she answered
"Well, pla e your hand upon this Bible and lis
ten to what say" and he repeated slowly and SOL
EMMY the oath usually administered to witnesses.
Nov" said the Judge, "you have been sworn
| n to rh.s
if you do not tell the truth p
II shall be shut up in the State prison." an
ANY thing else ?" asked the Judge
II shall never go to Heaven"
How do you know p asked the Judge again.
The child took the Bible, and turning rapidly to
the chapter containing the commandments, pointed
to the injunction, "Thou shalt not bear false wit
ness against thy neghbor." II learned that" she
said, "before could read"
Has any one talked with you about your being
witness in court here against this man p inquired
the Judge
"Yes, sir" she replied; "my mother heard they
wanted me to be witness, and last night she
called me into her room and asked me to tell her
the ten commandments, and then We kneclei down
together, ard she prayed that might understand
how wicked it was to bear false witness against my
neghbo', and that God would help me- little child,
to tel. the truth as it was before him. And when
| came here with father, she kissed me and told me
to remember the ninth commandment and that God
would hear every word said"
"Do you believe thisy' asked the Judge, with
tear giisening in his eye and his lips quiverng with
emotion
"Yes SIR" said the child, With 4 voice and man.
ner that showed her conviction Of the truth Was
perfect
"Goi bless ycu, my child said the Judge, ."you
have good mother. This witness is competent"
he continued Were I on trial for nv life, and
innocent Of the charge against me- would pray
God for such 4 witness As this Let her be e,s
ahmed
She told her story wish the simplicity Of child
Is she was, but there direc,ness abou, it
which carried conviction Of It's truth to every heart
She was risi6s cross examined Tie counsel piled
her with infinite and lnseaiccs Questioning, but she
varied from her first statement in nothing. The
truth Is spoken by that child ~as sublime False
hood and perjury had preceded her testimony.
The PRISONER had cnlrenched hsrnseI In Aes, until
ne dccmsd himself imIrrsnahl.- Witnesses had
talsffad furts IN his fHvur, and vilainy had mann
factured sham dsfsnse, hun bsfDrs hHr testimBny
fuhsehsBd wRs scattered like chaf Tine little child
TOR whom mother mad pr4ye1 fur strength 10 bl
given her I'd spenk the truth II xas heinrP 6Dd
1rBks the cunning devices of nasuxsd yillainy n
pieces Iise lurrsr vesssl The ssyBngth iha1 I'M
nmhar Ind prayed fm wHs Fiuen htr, 1he srihIim,
End terrific sunpfnity l1srrii1e fhs pms
unfr Enh his lfTIurBa REsDcntesD with Winch xhs
spoke was Hike y rrrelatiga Fpn Cad himself
EasonSr Mirror.