The Republican journal., 1875-06-24
The Power of Truth.

Inc rover OF 1rutns
The following beautiful illustration of
the simplicity and 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 offer
ed as witness against a prisoner who
was on trial for Il felony committed in her
| fathers house.
Now, Emily" said the counsel for the
prisoner, upon her being offered as a
witness, 81 desire to know if vou under
stand the nature of an oath ?''
II don't know what you mean was
the simple answer.
There, your Honor" said the counsel.
addressing the Court, sis anything further
necessary to demonstrate the validity ot
my objection? This witness should be
rejected She does not even understand
the nature of an oath"
"Let us see.' said the Judge Come
here, my daughter
Assured by the kind tone and manner
OF the Judge, the child stepped toward
him, and looked contidingly up in his face
with calm, clear eye, and in a manner
so artless and frank. that it went to the
Judges heart.
Did you ever take an OATH" asked the
Judge
The little girl stepped back with look
of horror, and the red blood mantled in Il
blush all over her face as She answer
ed
mo, sir
She thought he intended To inquire ii
she had ever blaspbemed.
II did not mean that. " said the Judge.
who saw her mis- axe II mean were you
ever a witness before ,"
NO sir; | never was in court before
He handed her the Bible, open. and ask
ed do YOU know that book, my child"
She looked at it and said; '.Ics, sir;
it is the,Bibe"
''Do you ever read it," asked the
Judge.
Yes. sir; every evening"
Can You tell me what the Bible 81" he
asked.
1T is the word of the great GoI. " -hr
replied.
"Wcll, place your hand upon thi- Bill.
and listen to what | say and hc repeat
ed slowly and solcmnly the oath USUALLY
administered to witnesses.
"Now," said the Judge "Nuu hue
sworn rs witness. VIII vou tell me-
what viii beftl YOU ityou do not tell the
truth?''
II shall be Shut up ii State Prison"
answered the child
"Anything else "
81 shall never 90 to heaven" She u,l,
ed.
GLOW do you know this p" asked l..
Judge again,
The child took the Bible, and tuiu.u-
rapidly to the chapter containing the tum
mandnents, pointed to the iujumr;rr.
Chou shalt not bear false witness ag1iu-'
thy neighbour saying: II learned thu
before | could read"
Has any one talked with Nuu ahou'
your being a witness in court against th.
man - asked the Judge.
"les, sjr. My mother heard they wau.-
ed me to be a witness, and last night she
called me to her room and asked me ta
tell her the ten commandments and then
we kneeled down together, and She pray
ed that | might understand how Wickrdu 1t
was to bear false witness, and that t,ud
would help me. little child, To- tell TIM
truth as it was before Him And when
came up here with father, She kissed me-
and told me to remember the Ninth Com
mandment, and that God wouId m"tr
every word said
DO you believe this" inquired the
Judge, while Il tear glistencd in his eve.
and his lip 4uivered with visible emotion
"Ies, SIR said the child. with voir..
and manner which showed her conviction
OF its truth was perfect
''God bless you, my nhIlj. said ti,,.
Judge. 'YOu have good mother. llu-
witness is competent" he continued
Were on trial tor my life, and iuneccu'
II