Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-10-13
Simplicity OF Truth.

| witnessed sh0:i time ago, IN one OF
our high courts, beautiful Illustration oil
The simplicity and power of truth:
liule glrI nine years Of age. was ol-
lered as a witness against prisoner who
was on trial for felony committed IN her
fathers house.
Now. Emily" said lhe counsel for
the prisoner, upon her being offered as
witness, IL desire TO understand II you
know Tie nature OF an oath =
II don't know what you mean, was
the simple answer.
There. your honor" said the coun-
sci. addressing ,he court, ais anything
farther necessary TO demonstrate 'he va
Idity of my objections ! This witness
should be rejected. She does not COM
prehend the nature Of an OATH
"Lel Us see" said .he Judge, "come
here. my daughter" 4,
aid you ever take an oath!' inquired
the Judge.
The lue girl stepped back with look
Of horror. and The red blood manIIed in a
blush all over her face and neck, as she
answered mo SIT" She thought he IN
tended 10 inquire if she had ever bias
phemej.
IL do no. mean that" said the Judge,
who saw hcr mistake. 81 mean were
yon ever a witness before =
He handed her the bible open.
"Do you know that book, my daugh'
Nr?"
She looked a, i, and answered, "Yes,
sir. il is lhe Bible"
"Do you ever read ii 9 he asked.
"YeE. sir every evening"
"C.n you tell me what The Bible is
"Il is HE W ord VI the Great God,
she answered.
"Wel, place your hand upon this Bi
bic aud listen to what say" and he re-
pes,ed slowly and soemnly The oath usu
ally administered 10 Witnesses.
"Now," said the Judge, "you have
been sworn as Wilness-will you tel
NE wha, will belsIl you if you DO no
tell the truth 4"
IL shall be shu, up in the State pris
or" answered ,le child.
"Auylhlng else :" asked The Judge.
IL shall never 90 TO Heaven
"llow do you know? 3 asked the
Judge again.
The child took The Bible, and turning
rapidly TO the chapter containing ihe
comm andmenls. pointed to the injunction,
"Thou shalt nol bear false witness sgaIns
Thy neighbor " Il learned that, she
said, before could read"
"ilss any one talked with you about
your being wI'ne-s IN cour, here against
this man p inquired the Judge.
Yes, sir, she replied "my mother
heard they wanted ne 10 be witness
and last nigh, she called me into her room
and asked me 10 tell her the ten com
manImrnls. and then we kDerled down
together. and she prayed that might un-
dersland how wicked il was 10 bear false
witness against my nelg' Dor. and that
God would help me, lIuIe child, 10 tell
the truth as. nss tefore HIM. And
hen | came here with father, she kissed
me and told ne 10 remember ,ire nIn'h
commandment. and ,hs, God would hear
every word said"
DO you believe this - asked the
Judge, with tear gistenng in his eye
and his lips quivering with emotion.
"Yes. SIR" aid tie child, with voice
and manner that showed her conviction oI
,he truth was perfect
"God ble.. you. my child," said the
Judge, lyon have good mother. This
witness is competent" he continued.
Were on Trial for my life, and inno-
cent of the charges sgslns, me, | would
pray God for such a witness as this.
Let her be examined
She lulG her story with the simplicity
Of child as she was. but there was d.
reclness sbuul il which CARED conVIc-
non OF its irn,h 10 every heart. She was
ripidly ero.s-examineJ. The counsel
plled her with infinite and ingenious
ueslioning. but she varied from her hrsI
slaleWen, in nothing. The truth as spo'
ken by that chile was sublime. False.
hood and perjury had proceeded her 'es'I-
mony. The prisoner had entrenched
himself in lies. Until lie deemed himselt
imprrgnabIe. Witnesses had iaIsIh-
ed facts in his lavor. and villlany had
manufactured sham defence, hut before
her testimony falsehood was scattered like
chaff. rheliule child. for HON moih
er had prayed for strength 10 be gwen
her 10 speak lhe truth as i! was before
God. broke III. cunning devices Of msIur'
ed viIIainy in pieces like PoIlef sVessrI.
The strength that Tie mother had prayed
for was given her, the sublime and IerTI-