The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-02-12
THE Legal Profession.

The annexed article is from the len Of Rev.
William Williams, D. D., of the Southern Bap-
tist Theological Seminary. DIR. Williams was
a member of the legal profession for number
of wears. and speaks knowingly ly upon the topic
under discussion
It is believed that the legal profession does
not: in itself, require any relaxation OF the
strictest principles of honesty, truthfulness and
fairness that it's highest honors may be reach
ed with pure heart unstalned and an honest
character untarnished. Its temptation in this
respect, it must be admitted, are very great.
But every calling has it's great temptations.
They are not irresistible in this any more than
in any other. 1t only requires, on the part OF
him who aspires after the highest style of
LAWYER, a due appreciation of them, and fixed
determination to resist them. Pecunlary sue
cess may probably come somewhat slower TO
such man than to one who seeks IT, Dy the
crooked ways of the profession. Shakespeare
says, ''this world is given to lying" He
might have added without any great stretch OF
poetic imagination, that it is given to cheating
also. And it much likes to find ready ana
capable agent by whose proxy 1t can 40 us
lying and cheating. The lawyer VINO Is wllnhg M IIlg
to use his profession in such a way as to be the
worlds proxy in these achievements will not
lack for clients. His immediate success may
much outrun that of him who is not willing.
But success is sure to come to the latter-a s'lc-
cess not i'm emoluments only, but in the honors
and benefactions of the profession, which may
rank him with a Hale, a Mansfield, Marshall
and Hoffman, and enroll his name among
the worlds benefactors, as we'll as the laws
adornments.
fession is open, and with much more truth, as
a profession, than the popular one which has
been considered, but which 1t is not proposed
to discuss but only to mention. line mas
criminate defense Of right and wrong" says
the author of Junius, contracts the under
standing while it corrupts the heart. Subtlety
is soon mistaken for wisdom, and impunity
for virtue." Coleridge, in his "Table Talk,
says:
IT think that upon the whole the advocate is
placed in position unfavorable to his moral
being, and, indeed, to his intellect also, In its
higher powers. Therefore, I would recon-
mend an advocate to devote part of his leis-
ure time to some study of the metaphysics OF
theology. Something, 1 mean, which shall
call forth all his powers, and centre his wishes
in the investigation of truth alone, without re-
ference to side to be supported. No studies
give such a power of extinguishing as meta
physical, and in their natural tendency they
are ennobling and e1alting. Some such stud
les are wanted to counteract the operation OF
legal studies and practice, which sharpen IN
deed. but like grindstone, narrow whilst
they sharpen"
The Christian lawyer has, in his profession,
wide opportunity for usefulness. BY his
consistent christian department on the circuit,
in free, social intercourse with his professional
brethren, he may effectually serve the cause OF
Christ by impressing them with the reality and
power Of religion. He need not to this end
obtrude his religion on them nor even say
anything about religion. 1t is only necessary
that they shall see that he is careful to main
tain, in all places, and under all circumstances,
consistent religious life. And then, too, his
practice and facility in public speaking gives
him an advantage for usefulness over other
private members of the church, in conference
and prayer-meeting. Might not he, who can
so we'll plead the cause of his fellow-man in the
courtroom, plead the cause of Jesus sometimes
in the prayer-meeting? Shall he be ready and
willing to speak on all occasions, religious
meeting only excepted2 But this communi-
cation is already too long, and must be closed:
If these lines should chance to meet the eye OF
any young Christian lawyer, will he not seri-
ously consider the special opportunities and
means of usefulness which his profession fur
nishes, and earnestly resolve to improve them