Chap. VII ]
DUTY OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE.
229
action of public business, no doubt induced him, at that early-period of life, to devote his leisure moments to those studieswhich led him (from being a shoe-maker) to honor and distinc-tion.” * A careful examination of biography in general, couldnot fail to bring to light many similar instances ; and how manymore must have occurred, which never found their way into thecollections of biography.
SECTION II.
ASSISTANCE GIVEN IN THE WAY OF OUR EMPLOYMENTS AND
PROFESSIONS.
Men may mutually assist one another by rendering aid in theway of their employments or professions. Especially is this thecase with members of the more liberal professions and employ-ments ; such as legislators, officers of various grades in thecivil, military, and naval service, lawyers, physicians, clergymen,&c. A legislator has it in his power to accomplish salutary re-forms by introducing remedies for existing evils and abuses, andto contribute to the welfare of his country by originating andadvocating wise and salutary measures. Frequently, too, indi-viduals, and classes of men, have just private interests to beadvanced by legislation, and in this way the office of legislatormay subserve the claims of private justice. A civil magistrate,(a justice of the peace, for instance,) who unites a requisite shareof legal information with industry, firmness, consistency, andperseverance, may be of the greatest service to his entire neigh-bourhood, by a vigorous, impartial, and at the same time temper-ate administration of the laws. An upright and active magistrateis no ordinary blessing to the community in which he resides.Such magistrates “ are for the punishment of evil doers, andfor the praise of them that do well.” f
A lawyer may do great good to his neighbourhood by advis-ing the amicable adjustment of disputes, and lending his aid tothis effect ; and particularly by discouraging suits between near
* Sanderson’s Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence,Vol. III. p. 910.t 1 Peter ii. 14.