The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-01-28
THE LEGAL PROFESSION.
BY REV. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, D. D.,
ROFESS SORIN THE SOUTHERN
BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL sEMINA-
RY, GREENvILLE, $. c.

KY, GREENNl LILLE, ). Z.
1t is believed, therefore, that the
legal profession does not, in itself,
require any relaxation of the
strictest principals of honesty,
truthfulness and fairness; that its
highest honors may be reached
with q pure heart unstained and
and an honest character untarnish-
ed. Its temptation in this respect,
itmust be admitted, are very great.
But every calling has its great
temptations. They are not ire
sistible in this any more than in
any other. It only requires, on
the part of him who asplres after
the highest style Of lawyer, a
due appreciation Of them, and a
fixed determination to resist them.
Pecuniary success may probably
come somewhat slower to such a
man than to one, who seeks it by
the crooked ways of the profess
ion, Shak esp ears says, "this
world is given to lying" He
might have added without any
great stretch Of poetic magma
ton, that it is given to cheating
also. And it much likes to find
a ready and capable agent by
whose proxy it can do its lying
and cheating. The lawyer who
is willing to use his profession
in such a way as to be the worlds
proxy in these achievements will
not lack for clients. His immedi-
ate success may much outrun that
of him who is not willing. But
success is sure to come to the lat.
ter-a success not in emoluments
only but, in the honors and bene-
factions Of the profession, which
may rank him with a Hale, a
Mansfield, q Marshall and a Hoff-
man, and enroll his name among
the worlds benefactors, as we'll as
the laws adornments.
There is another objection to
which the Profession is open and
with much more truth, as q pro
fession, than the popular one which
has been considered, but which it.
is not proposed to discuss but on
| ly to mention. 'The indiscrlmi-
nate defense Of right and wrong"
says the author Of Junius, "con-
tracts the understanding while it
corrupts the heart Subtlety is
soon mistaken for wisdom and i'm
punity for virtue" Coleridge, in
his Table Talk says:
Il think that upon the whole
the advocate is placed in position
| unfavorahle to his moral being,
and indeed, to his intellect also,
in It's higher powers. Therefore,
I would recommend an advocate
to devote a part Of his leisure
time to some study Of the meta
physics of theology. Something,
l mean, which shall call forth all
his powers, and center his wishes
in the investation of truth alone,
without reference to a side to be
supported. No studies give such
power Of Distinguishing as meta
physical, and in their natural ten
dency they are ennobling and ex
alting. Some such studies are
wanted to counteract the opera
| ton of legal studies and practice,
which sharpen indeed, but like a
grndstone, narrow whilst they
sharpen.
The Christian lawyer has, in
his profession: a wide opportunity
for usefulness. By his consistent
Christian department on the cir
cult, in the exciting contests of
the court room, and 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 upon
them nor even say anything about
religion. 1t is only necessary
that they shall see that he is care
ful to MAINTAIN, in all places, and
under all circumstances, a consist
ent religious life. And ther, too,
bis practice and facility in public
speaking gives him an advantage
for uscfulnes over other private
numbers Of the church, in confer
ence and prayer meetings. Might
not be, who can so well plead the
cause Of his fellow man in the
court room, plead the cause
Of Jesus sometimes in the
prayer meeting? Shall he be ready
and willing to speak on all occa-
sions, a religious meeting only ex-
cepted? But this communication
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-