Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-01-22
DIR. BROWNIES ADDRESS.
STATEMENTS ABOUT THE PRO
.FESSlON.
The audience Listened u, Perfect silence

The 18th of last April the Medical
Department of the Willamette Univer-
sity met in Taylor street Church Port
land Oregon, when the graduating ex-
ercises took place. The commence
ment address was delivered by Hon.
Geo. II. Williams, the degrees conferred
by prof. e. P. Fraser NJ. D. Dean of
the Faculty, and the Charge to the
graduates was given by James Brown
NJ. D. LII. d. This charge is so re-
plete in suggestions of the highest Or
der to persons of culture in any pro-
fession In life, and so erudite in ex-
preston that we prevailed upon Dr.
Browne to allow us to publish it en-
tire. Many of the Dr's. old frieuds
in this City will read this charge with
relish that we always received his
productions.
Members of the Graduating Class
The tie that has
bound us together as Teacher and Stu
dents is about to be severed, and we
shall meet in the lecture room no more
Having completed the course of study
prescribed by the Willamette Univer-
sity, and complied with all the conditions
and requirements of that institution,
you have received as your reward the
degree of Doctor of Medicine, with
all the rights and privileges pertaining
to that distinction. In the name Of
my colleagues of the Faculty, l con.
gratulate you on the attainment of this
honor, and welcome you as eo-laborers
in the field of Medical Science; and in
their name and at their request l add
to this congratulatIon few words of
parting advice.
In the infancy of Medicine, Physi-
clans stood upon higher plane than
that of other men. In those days
they We're the ministers of Religion
the priests of the temple; and they were
initiated into the myteries of their
calling with the most imposing cere-
monies and the most solemn obligations
They bore the name of Magi Hakim
or Wise Men; and their wisdom vener-
ated as part of the wisdom of the
Creator himself. They were believed
to be inspired and to be gifted with
the power of reading human destiny
from the stars of the armament. Their
endowment and gifts were believed to
transcend the endowments and gifts Of
other men. Appolonius by touch
could heal the sick and cast out de.
mons: Rsculapius could restore dead
men to life. Orpheus entered the
realms of Pluto, and by means of his
golden shell arrested the punishment
of Ixion and Tantalus and Tityos and
the Daniad Sisters; and then trium
phantly brought back his wife Fury
dice from the shades.
But in the light of modern scienct
the superstitions of the past hav'
melted away, and the members of ou
profession, divested of their miraculou
endowments have to be satisfied witt
plane not higher than that Of othe
men. The civilation Of today denand
that the physician shall be indeed ant
in truth the priest of nature and tn
interpreter of nature to mankind-de.
mands that he shall be master of hi
profession, and that without the aid Q
magic or miracle be shall know how t
prescribe for the ills of the body an,
how to minister to mind diseased.
The profession of Medicine is
grand and noble profession: it is
mission of benevolence for the allevia
ton of suffering and the saving of life
it is mission of mercy, and like tn
quality of mercy, it is twice blest-
blessing both him that gives and hin
that receives: a grand profession III
deed, but laborious beyond all others
The physicians strength and power Q
endurance are taxed to the utmost
and the,price that he pays for success
is irregular hours, and broken rest an,
constant toll.
In entering upon this profession
is your duty to accept its requirements
and to consider well its onerous dutie
and grave responsibilities. In beini
admitted to it you incur solemn obi
CATION to do all in your power TO main
tain its dignity, to exalt its standin
and extend its usefulness.
Investiture with the degree of Do'
tor of Medicine ought not to mark tn
stopping place of your studies: on tn
contrary it should act as an incentiv
to further and deeper investigation
Remember that as yet you are br
neophytes standing in the vestibule
the temple and that only after earnes
effort and patient toll, you shall !
qualified to enter the inner shrini
Your present attainments althoug
creditable, must be regarded as mel
beginuing-asa nucleus to be enlarged b
daily accretions. Seek information froi
every source. Extend your observi
ton iuto every field that thought CO