Birmingham state herald., 1896-10-07
SPOKEN ID THE STUDENTS
Were the Words of Wisdom
 Last Night.
THE OCCASION WAS NOTABLE
Opening of the Session of the Birmingham Dental and Medical CollegeS-AddresS-
 es by Distinguished Gentlemen.

The formal opening of the session of the Birmingham Dental and Medical colleges was held last night in the lecture room of the college on Twenty-first street be- tween Second and Third avenues. The meeting was attended by a fair and rep resentative audience of the city, com posed of both ladies and gentlemen.
 The meeting was presided over by Dr. John D. S. Davis, and was opened with prayer by pr. P. T. Hale, president of Howard college and pastor of the South side Baptist church.
 On opening the meeting Dr. Davis stated that this was the beginning of the fourth session of the dental and medical colleges, and valuable additions had been made both as to the faculty and the arranging and equipping of the college, and the results would be better than here tofore obtained. His speech was very interesting and abounded in wit and good advice tosthe students.
 pr. T. M. Allen.
 Concluding his remarks Dr. Davis in troduced to the audience Dr. T. M. Allen, dean of the dental college
 Dr. Allen prefaced his remarks by say ing that he regretted that the orator se- lected for the occasion was not present.
 He addressed himself to the students, delneating the work they are expected
 to do, and impressed the fact that in talk
 ing up the duties of the profession they
 assume a duty that in many instances
 is sacred and binding. The study of each
 and every case is imperative. The first
 lesson the student should learn is stu
 diousness, and if he expects to attend lectures to learn medicine he Is mistaken
 He spoke of the pitfalls, characteristic of all cities, that would confront them
 but on the other land said the city of Birmingham has an athletic club, the
 Young Mems Christian association, and churches which are open to all. He said
 no man who had ever attended the col
 leges and devoted his time to his studies
 had ever failed in his work. Students
 had already matriculated from Arkan- sas. Texas, Wisconsin, Mississippi, North
 and South Carolina, and other states and
 the prospects were brighter than ever
 before.
 pr. P. T. Hale
 was next introduced He said he had
 always had high reverence for the med
 ical profession. His father was a physi-
 clan. The Birmingham Dental and Med ical colleges, he was glad to know, are appreciated not only at home, but are making a reputation abroad. He was there in behalf of the Christian people of the city to welcome the students, and in behalf of the ministers of the city in vited their attendance upon the various churches. He did not believe praying alone would make doctor nor plety would heal the sick, but when the young men crown their efforts with a moral and religious life they have reached the pennacle of success in their profession. Dr. Phillips
 said he was here to welcome the students in behalf of the schools of the city, and hoped for the Dental and Medical colleges a profitable session. He impressed the lctI wit xyha thsA lio fod l from the profession they had chosen. In physician the people expect a degree of culture and education of a nature that will entitle him to respect and confidence among those with whom he may labor. Education does not consist solely in the mastery of the text books, but of intel lectual power with habitual tendency | of the mind to obtain the highest and purest thought The man who seeks the l highest and purest thoughts generally does the noblest things. Many men pos sess skill who are not highly educated, but they are seekers after the best books and the best literature.
 My advice would be, first, to lead an intellectual life; second, to reflect credit on the institution, not simply as students, but outside of these walls.
 "If our country is to be proud of these institutions, what is to make 1t so? In part the faculty, but if they are to grow great and noted among the institutions of the land they must become so by the men who go out into the world and work man. fully and nobly and thereby reflect credit on his alma mater"
 Mayor VanHoose.
 Mayor VanHoose said he welcomed the students in behalf of the city, but that the man who does the best will see the mayor least.
 lost issues of this age is personal respon- sitA,ity Men shield themselves behind corporations and do things that they
 would not do if personally responsible for them. Men do things in political life which as individuals they would not dare do A man will do things that will scar him that he would not think of doing were it not for custom. The time should come, and come speedily, when a man will stand and speak and act as man on his own personal responsibility. - "If you can incucate in this school fhdi- vldual responsibility you have achieved a success in medical training that will prove itself throughout the entire life of | the student, and I appeal to each and every student now entering this honora- ble profession to let their first lesson be | to assume responsibility for his every act and his success will be of that manly character that will lend lustre to your profession and success to your efforts" Mayor VanHoose was followed by short speeches by c. H. Greer, of the State Her aid, and Richard F. Johnston, of the Evening News, who welcomed the stud ents in behalf of the press, assuring them of the interest and pride that the people of Birmingham feel in the educa- tional institutions of the city, which have made her recognized. throughout the country as the leading and most pro- gressive educational center in the entire south.
 GEORGE FRED WILLIAMS DECLINES 
 Says He Will Not Accept the Faneuil Hall Nomination.