THE 
VETEBINA 
klbKAK'* 
YOL. XXXI, 
No. 361. 
JANUARY, 1858. 
Fourth Series, 
No. 37. 
ON LIFE ASSURANCE. 
Our readers must not be surprised nor displeased, if occa- 
sionally we draw their attention to the importance of the above 
subject. Life at best is uncertain. We know not when the 
summons may be issued which will command our departure 
hence. To provide for the future is our duty in a double 
sense ; and especially on the part of those on whom depends 
the w 7 ell-being of others. The ties of relationship, of con- 
sanguinity, and domestication are strong, and have imperative 
claims upon us. The first duty of the father is to make 
suitable provision for his partner in life and his offspring : 
to lay by of his earnings, as Providence may prosper him, 
so that in case of sickness or death unexpectedly taking 
place, a due provision may be made to meet the wants of 
his perhaps otherwise destitute family. Constantly are cases 
coming under our notice by wLich much suffering, sorrow, 
and distress might have been prevented had the precaution 
been taken of insuring the life of the parent. We all know 
the event must take place sooner or later, then why not 
anticipate it? why not guard against the contingencies of 
the future? On this account it is that we feel it to be a duty 
incumbent on us to urge the consideration of this subject upon 
the members of our profession, who, we have reason to know, 
too commonly neglect it. Nor do we call upon them to 
make any great sacrifice to secure that which is, in every 
sense, so desirable. Even with those whose means may not 
be ample, and whose prospects are only limited, it simply 
asks for the adoption of habits of economy, or the avoidance 
of indulgence in those things that are not necessary, or what 
perhaps may be designated luxuries, the sacrifice of which 
is really no loss but a gain. Possibly individually these may 
not cost much, but collectively, or taken in the aggregate, the 
sum expended for them will often prove to have been a large 
one, and one that might have been better and more profitably 
xxxi. I 
\ Q> Q? "2— 
