Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-12-21
Sftstellang.
Social Dependence.

Human beings, though separate units, each
having distinct existence Of his own, are
nevertheless most intimately bound together by
the great law of social dependence. In this
respect none liveth TO himself, and no one dieth
to himself No one can isolate himself, and
exist independently of all others. This fact
offers TO our meditations very interesting, in
structive, and profitable view of life.
| If we look into the family, the primitive
society of man, we cannot fail to see the de-
pendence Of all the parties upon each other
Children in infancy and Immature years must
lean upon the arm of their parents and then
these parents, worn out with the tolls of life,
often return to the condition of childhood, and
must find their support and help at the hand
Of those whose infancy they had nurtured.-
They are related to each other not only by the
laws Of morality, but also the decree Of mutual
dependence; they are helpers of each others
! joy, fed at the board of reciprocated service -
10 De happy, every one wants a home as much
as he wants air; place of retirement from the
outside world, the society Of his kindred, faith
| fnfin affection and lenient in censure, persons
whom he can trust and love without fear or
disappointment. The world, with its inveterate
sefshness and discordant interests, would be
by far too cold climate for our nature, if we
could not break the chill beneath the softer
sky of quiet and happy home. God has
ordained that we should have home it is a
part Of His benefcent plan for our comfort as
well as virtue; and when not perverted by
wicked passion, every link Of its mutual de-
| pendence is an element of good. A really
happy family, where all serve and all are served
is the best symbol Of heaven that car be found
on earth. The fact, that all its parts cohere,
each essential to every other, is one of its
choicest blessings.
The same principle extends throughout the
entire mechanism Of human society. All classes
lean, and must lean, upon each other, receiving
and imparting. some in one form, and some in
another. The rich are really as dependen as
the poor the employer as truly so as the man
whom he employs Sometimes we speak Of the
higher and the lower classes, as if the former
were independent; yet this is mistake; for
in this sense there are no higher classes. The
rich may have an abundance of money; but.
for great variety of purposes, they want the
service of others quite as much as the latter
may need their money. No man is able TO
supply his own wants. To meet the constantly
recurring necessities of existence, he has oc-
casion for more things than he can produce; and
for these he must look to the agency of Others
If we need our neighbor's services, then he as
much needs ours; if we have money to lend
then we need borrower; if we have goods to
SELL than want purchaser; if we wish to
build house, then we need builder; or il
one has skill to use, then he must find some
one TO whom it will be of sufficient value 10
return reward, always remembering that if no
one wants his skill il is worth nothing to him.
Thus we are woven together in the great web
! Of social life, every thread Of the complicated