Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-06-27


THE ADDRESS
| The Commencement season that brings Us togeth-
I er - one al harmonious beauty Crowned IL The
l lOVeliness. Wherever the eye may rest-On noun
tain. valley, woods, lakes or stredms-everywhere
Is life-hte in its prime of beauty. This night YOU
enter upon hIe-w9rk whose harvest VIII be what
YOU please TO make IL Tonight You become
Alumni Of the University Of Vermont anu nv col
leagues have assigned 10 me the pleasing duty of
welcoming YOU into the medical profession In
their behalf and in that OF ancient and univer-
sal brotherhood whose history is coeval with that of
man and whose benefactiOns stand next TO those of
the clergy welcome you To the profession of mei-
cine. Having shown yourselves worthy Of being
indicted into This priesthood and TO minister At its
affairs, extend 10 you the hand Of brOtherly COM
munion and pledge you the sympathy and support
/ OF common brotherhood You have put aside the
temptations Of the commercial world to
enter a profession prOverhially impecu-
NOUS welcome you into profession whose
sole end and aim l. the relief of human SUI
fering and the redemption of human life In every
age of the world have lis representatives ranked
among the wlsest and best Of men; and in every
country are they loved and revered- Shall You take
these new, untrie threads of life. the privileges and
responsibilities OF so high calling, and so weave
them into your future TO honor The profession of
your choice and lay fresh laurels upon her affairs
wOuhl point YOU TO the history of medicine II is
as ancient as the ages Its principles rest upon the
eternal and immuiable laws of nature. These are
I the foundations which rest the canOns of her
practice, these are the BOUNDARY lines you are 10
protect against encrodchment. Follow the long list
OF Industrious names which adorn the annals Of
0
10 science, art and literature has been bestowed
upon the world by our profession
The term physician in IFS true import IS not
limited 10 mean simple dispenser of rene
dies al the bedside, The true physician must
FIRST of all he philosopher. Philosophy Is the
only proper foundation for any science, because II
Is the formal expression Of that system of universal
method which under the generic name of law has
is seal IN the bosom of God. profession means
something before AMI beyond mere license tn
trade, and implies more than legaliZcl property in
certain qualifications Talents, the special gifi OF
God. and 4 franchise to he used IN cultvating in
telligencr under the sanction always OF the moral
law. are not objects of barter and trade like the pro
ducts Of human industry nor can their worth he
estimated hy any mercantile standard OF value.
Whoever has their seal upon him wears the livery
OF the Deity. The practice Of profession should
he, IN spirit, cultivation of science for the sake of
science. Whoever cheTIshes the light OF science
and makes her temple his hahitatI1n will H. re-
warled with m1therN generosity, for there viii be
no opportunity. however humble, hut she Will con-
Nert INTO a golden hour OF achievement me ply
Stefan - the true minister ami interpreter OF M
ture. and should he the most rgii follower of her
laws in his ystem OF practice.
noble profession then, can never become
mere trade OF the hand or the eve, and
he iraiilched IN As commercial com
modify. Wherever You may settle. remember
that the community have right 10 expect
Infinitely more OF YOU than OF the clever Young
mechanic who NAV he your neNt-iOor neighbOT.
They have right To demand thai you shall he
cultivated gentleman Genius and learning must
be cnnjnlned with character. The man who can
stand forth with uplifted brow. ia the conscious
sense OF pure body AMI an unsulhe,i MIMI Is a
great power III The wOrlI. Tie has something OF
more worth than riches aud more honorable than
the insignia OF rank Or station; and when Al last he
comes 10 hang up the arnlnr ut HES conflict he viii
realize a STATE OF mind AMI feeling which will gild
the evening Of lille with splrnur such the
glorious sun spreads over the western SKY rs he
sinks To his rest.
Dr. Hnon then gave some technical advice OF
sterling worth In the Young physicians. AMI passed
on In u brief discussion Of the sO-called woman
question. II Is not, he said- whether women shall
he admitted 10 the practice Of the medical profess
hall sin
OF the Pheniclans, but. shall they he educated In
the same institutions and the SAME classes
forbid discussion OF this question to-
night, and | leave 10 You. I would adjure
YOU 10 always recognize scientific attainment
wherever Won may md II. Extend TO all educated
female phS ~Iciaus the same courtesy and fellow
ship which It Will be Your duty and pleasure to eX
tend TO your professional brothers.
But the swift-winged moments warn me that the
hour Of our parting Is near. Yet one fact | woud
impress upon your minds: The diploma which you
have received tonight is only certificate that you
have advanced 81 far IN your studies that You may
continue their prosecution by yourselves and apart
from your instructors Remember that your edu-
cation Will only end with the close OF your life l
leave. then the mantle of responsibility upon your
shoulders. See 10 1t that no stain ever sullies il
May the spirit OF Him Who spent His life In heal
ing the sick in giving sight To the blind. and Who
restored the widows son 10 life actuae You in all
your ways AMI may the blessing of God rest upon
YOU.
This sound and practical address was lis
tened to with profound interest and at its
close was warmly applauded
The exercises closed with the benediction
Everything passed of pleasantly and well,
and the occasion was complete success.
The exercises were interspersed with music,
this part Of the programme being composed
rs follows:
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