The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1870-04-05
scsllD ~ oorRr.

The following beautiful Illustration
Of the simplicity and power q truth Is
from an eve witness Of tie scene IN
one 81 our courts
a little girl nine years Of age, was
offered as witness against prisoner
who eas on Trial Ion felony committed
in her fathers house
Now Emily, said the counsel for
the prisoner npon her being offered as
a witness, desire 20 know ii you
understand tic nature Of au oath
] don't know what you mean, was
tho simple answer
There. your honor said tho couu-
rel addressing tie court, ia anything
further necessary to demonstrate the
validity u my objection This witness
should be rejected. She does not com
preheud tic nature of an oath.
Let US see, said the Judge, Come
here, my daughter.
Assured by the kind tone and man
ner 81 tie Judge, the child stepped
toward him, aud looked confidently up
in bis face, with calm, clear eye, and
in manner so artiess and frank, that
I It went straight to tile heart
Did you ever take an oath n in.
quired tue Judge The little girl step.
/ ped back with o look Of horror, and the
red blood mautled III blush all over
her face and neck as she answered.
" No, sir
She thought be intended TO inquire
Iii she ever blasphemed
donot mean that, said the Judge
Who saw hes mistake ! mean, were
/ you ever a witness before ::
" No, sir, / never was in court be-
/ fore, was the answer
lie handed her an open Bible
:" Do you know that book, my daugh.
ter ?"
She looked at it and answered, " Yes
s.r, il is the Bible
DO you ever read it, be asked
Yes, sir, every evening.
Can you tell me what tho Bible is {?
inquired the Judge
It u the word ol the Great God,
she answered
"Welt, place your band upon tbi
/ Bible, aud listen to what ! say" an,
he repeated slowly and soismuIy th
| oath usually administered to witnesses
/ NOW, said the Judge, you hay
been sworn as a witness, win you teI
me what will become Of you, II you d
not tell the trnihy
4 "I shall be shut ap in the Stat
Prison, answered tho child
Anything else r. asked the judge
81 shall mover 20 TO Heaven, sh
replied
How do you know tins asked til
Judge
TIE child took tic Bible, and turr
ing radidiy to tic chapter containin
the commandments, pointed to the ~
junction, Ihon shalt not bear falls
witness 1eoinst tty ncighbor#
learned THAT before / cculd read
Has Any enc talked with son aoou
your being q witness IA the court her
against this man inquired tie Judg'
Yes, ag, she replied Ny mott
er heard they wanted me to be a wi
ness and .ast night she alled me /
tel her thc ten commandments, al
then We Lueeled down together. au
she prayed that / might uudoistan
bow wicked Il was % bear false witno.
against nay Aeigabar. aud that Go
would help mo, 4 little child, to tell IL
truth az I, was before HIM And whe
| came DIP here ai.h mY father, su
kissed me and told nae 70 rememb,
the ninth commandment and that Go
would bear every word that / said
DO you believe this asked tL
Judge while tear gisiened ia b
eve aad his lips qulfeftd Nith cmt
ton
Yes s.r, aaIl the caild, with
voice aud manner that showed her cor
yciion 81 tInth was perfect
God bless you. NV child. said IA
Judgc you layc q good mother.
& This witness IS competent he co.
he continued We're ! On lYiai +.
my hie, au4 thnoeca q the char.
agaiusi nae souli prty to God
give mC such q witness IS .Aia i.
her be examined
She told aes s,og uitA tie sItupdcit
d child. as SIS uas bat there was
Z directnes4 about e shicH carried coI
\ s,egiou 10 IS ~ 1tart Size MAS flgi
N cfass exAmlhel IAe counsel p.lo
het Wiia .uh4ite sud Ingenious que
tons, bai tbe varied f9m hcr hf
statement - ao,4e Tee truth
spoken by The etlId was sab.ui
fA.sebpoa AMI Ptiury lUd rfsesi,
hef testimony. las Ppaoaer Aa4 ].