The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-03-23
and III the vice president 5 chair when


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Another tribute to the legal pro-
Iession may be added from one whose
words are worthy to be read careful
lv. 1.-The ESpositor's Bible' is a
::cent English commentary in many
v"lnmes. by many authors The first
Epistle to the Corinthians was as
signed to DR.. Morcus Dods, profess
or OF Theology. Edinburgh. In this
epistle Paul refers to the heathen
court ut that time. This opens the
way for Ihe learned Scotch co1nmen-
lalur to speak If the court and law
yer "f today.
81. Paul. therefore, while he con-
trasts the subjects in which law
ver-like mind will find employment
in this world and the next, reminds
us that those who are here trained to
understand character and to discern
where right and justice lie will be in
no want Of employment in the world
to come. The matters which come be-
fore our courts. OF which are refer
red privately to lawyers, may often
be i'll themselves very paltry. 4 vast
proportion Of legal business is created
by changes from which the future life
is exempt. changes consequent on
death, on marriage, on pecunlary dis
asters. But underneath such suits as
these the keenest Of human feelings
are at work and it is often in the
power Of lawyer to give to man ad
vice which will save his conscience
from lifelong stain, or which will
bring comfort into family instead
of heart t-burnins, and plenty in place
Of poverty. The physician keeps us
in life: the minister Of Christ tells us
on what principles we ought to live,
but the lawyer takes our hand at ev-
cry great practical step life and it
is his function fand surely there is
none hieher) to insist on a conscien-
tious use Of money, to point out the.
Just claims which others have upon
us, to show the right and the wrong
in all our ordinary affairs and thus
to bring justice and mercy. down
from heaven and make them familiar
to the market place. And therefore
many Of the finest characters and best
intellects have. devoted themselves
and always will devote themselves to-
this profession. It may attract many
from less worthy motives, but it will
always attract those who are not con-
cerned to save men from practical
folly, and who wish to see the high
est principles brought into direct con-
tact with human affairs IF the legal
mind degenerates into a mere memory
for technicalities and acuteness in ap-
plying forms, nothing can be more
contemplate or dangerous to charac-
ter: but if it takes to do with real
things and not with forms only. and
tries to see what equity requires and
not merely what the letter Of the lay
enjoins and seeks to forward the we'll
being Of men, then surely there is no
profession in which there is such
abundant opportunity Of earning the
beatitude which says, blessed are the
peacemakers, none. in which the
senses can better be exercised to dis
cein between coed and evil, none III
which men may better be prepared for
the higher requirements OF a heaven
ly society in which some are made
rulers over ten cities. ',,
The first and last sentences Of Dr..
Dods perhaps surprised or even start
led the reader. But the entire pass
age is suggestive. Any respectable
lawyer may hear quietly and calmly
the coarse sneers or fippant filings
made at his profession. Yet it should
be a great restraint on some Of the
profession and great inspiration to
others to remember that the bench
and the bar through the private and
professional lives Of their members
must keep very high rank among
the agencies that restrain, protect
strengthen and. enrich modern So
ciety.
Jas. H. Carlisle.
Wofford College, 'Spartanburg. S. C..