The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-08-03
MISCELLANY.

VALEDIcroRY ADDRESS TO THE Stu
DENTS IN MEDICINE or THE COLLEGE OF
PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF THE Uni.
yERsITY OF THE STATE OF New York.
By JOHN B. BECK, M. D., Professor Of
.Nuteria .lIed;ca and Medical .Jurispru-
deace S.c.-This Address comes from one
of our ablest physicians and most talented
writers in the profession, and like bis other
productions is marked by sound sense and
originality and independence Of thought
1t contains within a small compass, many
valuable hints, applicable to students in
either Of the professions, conveyed in lam
gnage plain, forciole and eloquent. The
following extract is from the closing part
Of the address,
again if you wish TO acquire distinction,
cultivate an enthusiastic love for you pro-
fession. Unless you do this all your as
pirngs after fame will prove abortive.
Independently Of this consideration, you
h We every inducement to do so, Than
medicine, there is no department Of human
libor which is more interesting in itself, or
more. generous in the ends which it pro-
poses to f. 1t ranges over the illimlta-
bl tel # nature-it looks to the heavens
it trayeg$es the g,o"e--lt climbs the
nouataln-it dives into the solid earth
it iutefro1ltes man himself in his mysteri-
Gus recesses; and it bring: all It's treasures
to lis votagies, for the no5lest Of purposes
to alleviate human distess--to arrest the
progress Of disease--to dSTcl The ra!Sts ot
clouded intellect--in short TO make man a
, happier and more grateful tenant of this
lower world. If you entertain such views
of your profession, it cannot be otherwise
than that you. will make corresponding
efforts to add something to the amount Of
our knowledge and means to accomplish
these sublime Objects and if you do SO,
you cannot fail to receive your reward.
But it is not merely necessary that the
man who enters our profession should love
the science in the abstract; he must also
respect his professional brethren. Our
profession, like every other, contains a
mixture Of good and evil. There are some
who by their misdeeds have forfeited all
est EN-. But all are not such. Our pro-
tesslol Contains a mass of intelligence, and
worth, and virtue, which he is bound to
appreciate, if he ever hope to succeed.
1hi, he is bound to do, no less by the OBJ
liyAtions of duty than from regard to his
own interest. He should recollcct, that the
character OF profession is part OF the
Inheritance of every individual member
of it, and Just in proportion as that is ele-
waited or d. Graded, does to the humblest
individual who belongs to it rise or sink in
importance. There are some SO unfortu-
nately,organiz"d, that they think the only
method of gaining importance is by tradu-
cling others and rising upon their ruins. As
you value your future Spectablllty-as
you value the opinion of the honorable and
virtuous-and, above all, as you value
your own peace Of mind, do not emulate
their vicious example, Retributive Justice
sooner or later overtakes such men. The
victims OF envy and jealousy, their whole
moral nature becomes depraved 10 the core,
and they become the prey of the unholy
fires which themselves have kindled. As.
tnPV 90 through ne, tney cast a Dalelul
influence around them, and at last they pass
from the scene unhonored and unregretted
On the other hand, il you trust to your
own merit-if you give to all their due
if YOU cast the mantle of charity over their
deficlencies-you will not fail to reap a
pi,h harvest of grateful feeling from all
around you.
There are innumerable other consider
atoms, gentleman, which | might urge
upon YOU, did time permit, all of which
would tend to enhance your future respec-
liability. might speak to you Of the i'm
portance Of cultivating stern integrity OF
characterize chaste and temperate life
of the subjugation of your passons--oi
your moral and religious duties. All oi
these are SO many beautiful and essential
elements entering into the formation af
character that is destined to exert salutary
and ennobling influence over society.
Bat have done. In what have said,
| have spoken to you in the honesty OF
truth. and the sincerity Of friendship, and
no one will feel purer thrill Of JOY in
hcanno, in after time, that you are fulfil
linz, wilh honor to yourselves, the high dos
,inics 10 which ycu are aspiring.