The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-12
The Profes.ion of the Law.

The death of the late Charles Chauncey, long one
of the most eminent members of the Philadelphia
bar, made the occasion of a Sermon by the
Rev. Henry A. Boardman, ID. d., on the duties of
the legal profession, and on the importance of
Christianity to its members. The address at
once eloquent and so Just, that large number
Of our most distinguished practitioners directed
letter to the orator soliciting repetition of the
mon. To this request MIR. Boardman acceded.
Subsequently, he was asked to permit its publica-
ton and accordingly it has been issued under the
auspices Of Judge Grier, the Hon. Jos. r. Ingersoll
and others. The passage, in which he draws pic
ture of what the bar should be, is eloquently ex
pressed that we quote 1t. He says
The moral character of the bar, no less than its
character for learning and ability, is matter of
deep and universal concern. 1t is not matter,
gentlemen of the bar, which pertains merely to
your reputation individuals, nor TO relations be-
tween yourselves and clients. Even If 1t were, il
might be pertinent to ask, Who are your clients
For the purpose of this argument, the whole COM
munity are your clients. There is no citizen, how
ever humble or however exalted, who may not at
any time become your client. There is not one
among our honorable and opulent merchants,
among the ministers of religion, among the able
and upright jurists who preside over your
courts-nay, not one among those refined and gen
tie females, our mothers wives, and daughters, who
make our homes the purest and the happest homes
on earth who may not, on any day, be compelled
to invoke your protection. You are the oonserva-
tors OF our property, of liberty, our lives,
characters; the guardians OF our hresides the de-
tenders of affairs. Have stake, then, in
your character Have we no right to insist that
| profession which is the depository OF our most
cred earthly interests, shall omit nothing that may
help 20 qualify them for their high trusts that
| they shall not only make themselves masters of
their noble science in its principles and its techni
calties, but cultivate those elevated moral senti-
ments which alone can assure that our confidence
will not be misplaced!
Let us look at the profession in another aspect
The bar must always, in country like ours, be the
chief avenue 10 distinction-the main road To posts
| Of emolument and power. As such, il will embrace
large proportion OF the educated and able men of
| the Union; and the influence of such body must
necessarily be very great, irrespective of their
strictly professional functions. How much, then,
must this influence be augmented, when it is con
/ sidered they exert an immediate and powerful
| agency in moulding the popular will. They are
usually the leaders in the collisions of parties, and
the chief speakers even in the primary assemblies of
the people They fill the principal offices. They
direct our legislation and make the laws which Il
| devolyes upon them 10 administer. They shape
policy, domestic and foreign. They control our in
tercourse with other countries; and do than
any other class among us TO decide the relative po
sition we are 10 occupy among the nations Of the
earth. Not TO expatiate on these topics, the bare
hint of them must suffice 20 show, that every citi
is implicated in the character Of the bar; and
that a profession clothed with so lofty mission
needs both for lite sake and for the sake Of the
country, 10 be perysdcd with wholesome religious
sentiment Piety, alone will not IL IL true, fit men
TO become jurists, diplomatsts, or Legislators. But
| piety is the basis Of good morals. II makes men
| conscientious II stimulates them 10 acquire the
qualifications demanded by the stations Providence
may assign them and puts them upon using their
abilities for the best ends. II evangelical Christi
anity were enthroned not in halls Of justice
merely, but in the hearts Of all who serve at her
altars, their great influence would tell il the ex-
| preston may be pardoned, far auspiciousy
than IL docs now, upon the leading interests Of the
| country IL would moderate the spirit Of faction
the bane Of all republics. II might repress the
dolatry of mammon, and curb the lust Of conquest
two of the brood Of baser passions which have &C.
quired an Herculean growth I'm our soil. II would
check the prevailing tendency 20 rash and hasty
legislation, and teach visionary reformcrs that they
should approach TO the faults Of the State O the
wounds Of father, with pious awe and trembling
socitudc.' II would be felt through all the frame
work Of society, in cxtinguishing vice, alternating
misery, fostering education, and consolidating the
institutions Of Christianity Phil. FL. bulletin.