LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1872
To William Cox Cochran
24 December 1872
[Autograph signed letter in the possession of Mrs. Ellen Speers, 3915 Sierra Drive, Austin, Texas 78731.]
Oberlin 24 Dec. 1872
Dear Willy.
Yours of the 26th ult.
came duly. I think you
are wise in deciding
to remain in your Fathers
Office at least for some time
yet. You will get hold of
laws & practice much sooner
there than by yourself or with
a young partner. Making
briefs & preparing causes for
Trial is of more importance
to you now than the conduct
of suits in court. This last
is generally the ambition of
novices in the profession, &
by indulging in this
propensity, they are often
through ignorance, guilty
of blunders that will injure
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their practice for years.
Acquaint yourself well
with law & practice before
you attempt to conduct
a cause in the higher courts
where a blunder will be
seen & remembered against
you. You may venture to
conduct suits in Justices courts
where a blunder will not
be observed. Whenever you
try a cause before any court
be sure to study up the case
& make yourself complete
master of the situation.
Do not embark on the
wrong side of a question
if you can avoid it.
If the bar & bench see that
you are always master of
your causes, have studied
them up, & are thoroughly
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acquainted with the
law and the facts, they
will naturally treat you
& your opinions with a
respect & consideration
that will soon make a
business & a fortune for
you. Nothing is more
seen to injure a young
lawyer than to go before
a court so poorly prepared
as to necessitate a feeling
of contempt within the bar
& upon the bench. For the
bar & bench to entertain
a feeling of contempt or
of distrust is almost sure to
ruin a young lawyer.
Every body will notice it &
a young man will rarely
overcome such an obstacle.
Be sure Dear Willy to force
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both bar & bench to respect
your ability & your candor.
Avoid by all means getting
the reputation of loose thinking
a blackgard - a pettifogger
or a blunderer. Deserve a
reputation for ability &
candor & you will soon beco
me all but omnipotent
with a jury. We are all well.
We expect Dolson here tomorrow
to spend christmas.
Weather very cold but otherwise
pleasant. No snow, or very little.
All here join in love & kisses
to you all. Dear Willy dont
neglect the saviour. You cant
afford it for any earthly good.
God bless you forever.
C. G. Finney
Footnote:
This letter is not in the Finney Papers