Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-14
The Power Of Truth.

The following beautiful illustration Of The
simplicity aud power Of truth is told by an
eyewitness of the scene in one of the higher
courts
A little girl, nine years OF age, was offered
rs witness against prisoner on trial fol
felony committed in her fathers house.
Now, Emily" said the counsel for tho
prisoner, upon her being offered as a witness
desire TO know if you understand the ua
twe Of AN oath 2"
81 don't know what you mean" said she
"Thcre, your Honor" said the counsel, adj
dressing the court, is anything iurtherneces
sary 10 demonstrate the validity of my OBJ
lection This witness should be rejected
She does not even understand the nature OF
an oath"
"Let US see," said the Judge. "Com,
here, my daughter"
Assured by the kind tone and manner OF
the Judge, The child stepped toward him
and looked conhdingly up in his face with q
calm. clear eye, and IN a manner 500 artlcs'
and frank, that it went TO the Judges heart
"Did YOU ever take an oath p be asked.
The little girl stepped back with a look Of
horror, and the red blood manted IN O blush
all over her face, rs She answered
." No. sir"
She thought he intended to inquire if she
had ever blasphemed.
81 did mot mean that" said the Judge
who saw her mistake; " mean, were You
ever witness before 2"
No, sir. / never was in court before
lie handed her the nibla open, and asked
d" De- you know that book. ms child"
She looked at IL and said IT, The Bihlc.'
ado you ever read itY" asked the Judge
" Yes, sir; every evening"
What IS the Bible 20 ne asked.
at is the word Of the great God" ha
replied
"Well, place your hand upon this Bible
and listen to what ! say; and he repeated
slowly and solemnly, the oath usually ad-
ministered 90 witnesses.
Now" said the Judge, you have sworn
rs q witness. win You ten me what viii
bcfall You II you DO not tell the truth 3"
7 shall be shut up in state prison.
Anything else?"
shall never 20 90 heaven" She replied.
How do you know this 2" inquired bee.
The child took the Bible, and, turning to
the chapter containing the Commandments,
pointed TO the injunction, Thou shalt mot
bear false witness against thy neielibor," say
ing q" ] learned that before ! could read"
" Has any one talked with you about your
being a witness in court against this man q
asked the Judge
Yes. sir. My mother heard they wanted
me 10 be q witness, and last night she called
me TO 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 it was TO bear false
witness, and that God would help me, a 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 remember tho
Ninth Commandment, aud that God would
hear every word said
." Do YOU believe this 2" inquired the Judge
while a tear glistened in his eye, and his lil
quiyered with visible emotion.
AYES, sir" said the child, in a frank and
convincing manner.
"God bless you, my child. said the Judge
you have a good mother This witness Is
competent" he continued. "Were on trial
for my life, and innocent Of the charge
against me, ] would pray God for such q
witness as this. Let her be examined"
She told the story with the simplicity ol a
child, as She was, but there was q directnos-
about it which carried conviction Of it-
truth to every heart.
NAlF Wa, .ttllF tANr0-t' At4lilltAs AA' thlttl
sci Piled her with ingenious questioning, bui
she varied from the first statement iu nothing
The truth spoken by that little child was
sublime. Falsehood and perjury had pre-
ceded her testimony The prisoner had I'm
trenched himself in lies, till he deemed him
self impregnahle Witnesses had falsiled
facts in his favor and villainy had mauufac
turcd for him a sham defence. But before
her testimony, falsehood was scattered like
chaf. The little child for whom a mother
had prayed for strength 10 be given to her tC
speak the truth as it was before God hroh,
the cunning devices of matured villainy .,
pieces as "A potter's vessel. The strength
that her mother prayed for was given her
and the sublime and terrible simplicity ter
rible to the prisoner and his associatss-
with which she spoke, was like a revelation
from God Himself.