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amazed, and instantly replied in the following complimentary manner: "Well, well, sir, if

you learn as much more in the next six months, you will have as much legal knowledge as I possess myself."

Mr. Baldwin entered upon the practice of his profession at Wheeling, Virginia, but did not continue there long; this was in the year 1825. While there, he delivered an eloquent oration on the 4th of July, at the Flats of Grave Creek, which was published by the request of the "committee of arrangements."

In the fall of that same year, or early the next spring, he removed to Charleston, Kanhawa county, in Western Virginia, and commenced the practice of law amongst strangers. Without wealth, or the aid of interested and influential friends, he had to rely entirely upon his own resources, and untried powers as a counsellor-at-law, under very unfavorable circumstances. The Kanhawa bar at that time was not inferior to any in the State of Virginia, composed of eminent lawyers, such as

Hon. Judge Summers, Col. Benjamin H. Smith, Col. Joseph Lovell, Judge Josiah L. Fry, Judge Matthew Dunbar, James Wilson, and others of good legal attainments.

It was not long, however, until Mr. Baldwin's legal and acquired abilities brought him into favorable public notice, and put him on equal footing with the ablest members of the bar. After a successful practice for a few years he stood inferior to none, and was generally employed in the most important cases in the criminal court, by one or the other of the parties. He soon rose to a high eminence in his profession. He was a great lover of order, and very systematic and exact in all his business both legal and otherwise. His mind was of the highest order, close, discriminating, and logical. I have heard it said of him, that if his opponents' legal pleadings were not perfect, he was sure to detect it, point out the error and expose its fallacies, accompanied sometimes with a very severe rebuke. He was an able debater, and possessed great skin and ingenuity

SUPERIORITY OF RELIGION.

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in managing a case in court. He was greatly beloved and respected by the members of the bar, and stood deservedly high in the estimation of his fellow citizens.

But few young men were ever favored with a more flattering prospect of a brilliant career and professional celebrity, than Charles R. Baldwin. At the time that he relinquished the practice of the law, no man in Western Virginia was considered his superior. He had a lucrative business and had already accumulated a handsome property. The road to still higher distinction was now open and plain before him, and of this fact he was not ignorant himself, for, after entering the ministry, at times when making appeals to his hearers to become religiousin comparing the superiority of religion over earthly things, he would express himself thus: "That if the honors of this world were of the most value and importance, then he had sacrificed what was attainable by him, but he did not so view it. He considered the claims of religion and the smiles of his Savior first,

and counted all things but loss so that he might win Christ." And never, perhaps, did any uninspired man act more fully on that princi ple, literally giving up all for Christ. "Like Moses, who, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, for he had respect to the recompence of reward."

A member of the bar who was intimately acquainted with him, remarks: "I was associated with him in the practice of law in the courts of Cabell and Logan, for several years before he withdrew from the bar, and had a favorable opportunity of knowing him as a lawyer. Mr. Baldwin was a popular counselor, an eloquent and able advocate, and a pleasant companion. He was an especial favorite with the people of Logan, and, thereby, had acquired the appellation of 'THE LOGAN CHIEF.'

"He was remarkable for his industry and fidelity to his clients, and at the time of his

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conversion, had a liberal share of the practice. Although my recollection at this day does not allow me to speak of his opinions on Theology, yet I do know, that his conversion at that time was regarded as one of the most remarkable within the circle of my acquaintance. But from the moment I first met with him after the occurrence, I never had a doubt of his sincerity; the change was too manifest to be misunderstood. I would refer you to Col. B. Smith, and Hon. Judge Summers, who attended the higher courts with him, and others at Charleston who knew him better, all of whom will bear testimony that Mr. B. was highly esteemed by the court and bar, as a gentleman and lawyer."

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