The Washington bee., 1897-05-15
MEDICAL GRADUATES.
BRILLIANT ExERCISES.-DR. PURvIs'
ADDRESS.

There was not even standing room
last Monday evening in the Congrega-
| tional Church, when thirty-four gradu-
ates OF the medical, dental, and phar-
| maceutical departments OF Howard
! University, representing the classes OF
1897, with dignified tread and clad in
the characteristic college cap and
gown, mounted the platform TO the
to the tuneful strains of Fanclulli's s
Progress March" to be formally
ushered from school into the busy
world. Among the number were three
Young white women and native OF
far-away Japan AS they took their
| seats, a really inspiring scene met the
ewes ofthe graduates. In every seat,
and on every inch of floor space, both
down stairs and in the gallery, were
| massed the friends of the young peo-
ple. Bright spring costumes predoml-
mated, while the decorations consisted
solely of the national colors, huge
American flags hanging in graceful
folds from the walls and the gallery
rail. The front OF the platform was a
yeritable bower of flowers
In addition 10 the graduates, all the
members of the faculty were seated on
the platform.
Rev. DR.. Leavitt invoked the divine
blessing, and after the rendition OF the
intermezzo from -RuStl-
cana" DR. Purvis delivered scholarly
address, teeming with good advice,
common sense and wit. He said IN
part:
"With you | rejoice tonight. A
commencement day, day of gradua-
ton. is no ordinary one for young
man or woman. To have ones friends
assemble, to have the public turn out
and in the presence of multitude OF
witnesses to have the representative
head of an institution of learning to
confer a degree, to present diploma
the evidence that the receiver has ac-
complished something worthy OF the
highest encomiums-is a grand and
supreme moment to the graduate.
To-day you are knighted, to NOR
row you go forth equipped for battle.
Whether you will meet with victory or
defeat will depend largely upon the
cautiousnesS of your movements, and
your ability to estimate the strength
of the opposition you are to encounter.
| am far from being pessimist, and |
preciate each one of you, draw a pic
ture of your professional lives which
will be misleading. bespeak for each
of you success OF all the professional
schools from whence degrees are re-
ceived, the graduates OF the medical,
dental and pharmaceutical depart
mentS of Howard University should
meet with success. The platform OF
your alma mater is as broad as hu-
manity; her curriculum is unsurpassed;
her methods of instruction up to the
hour. Her instructors are welded to
their calling they are moved and
governed by fundamental principle
that is unknown in other institutions.
A college thus broadly gagged cannot
help bringing forth class OF men and
women imbued with a spirit that Will
win success Old as the profession IS,
great as have been the achievements
of thousands of its members, remark
able as has been its advance, 1t IS still
far from being an exact science.
MUST RUN THE GAUNTLET.
DIR, PurviS went on to assure the
graduates that we are living in new
and bright epoch that this is an age
of germs and new remedies, and that
the discussion of to-day is between the
laboratory observer and the clinical,
Continuing he said:
"You are to confront public opinion;
YOU will find it your greatest friend,
and at times YOU will find it your pow
erful and relentless enemy, according
as il shall be Swayed or moved. 1t IS
a powerful engine for good or for evil
it is a vacillating element, shifting as
the sands OF the sea; it makes and un-
makes men; it strengthens or destroys |
governments.
Before YOU think of taking up any
special branch, devote ten years OF
YOUR time to general practice. You
cannot afford to start out to be phy-
sician with only one idea; you Will be-
come narrow, you will attribute every
abnormal condition to diseased cond1-
ton of your pet organ. Be all around
men and women. A tlrSt-ClaSS phySI-
clan and surgeon can accomplish ABOUT
all that is done by the average special
ist. We believe you will be equal to
every emergency, such is our faith IN
you liabilities.
DR.. Purvis was loudly applauded and
was presented with handsome horal
tribute. After more selections by the
orchestra. President Rankin, in few
words, conferred degrees
On the medical, dental and pharmaceu-
.ical graduates in turn, almost all OF
them receiving a large bouquet as his
Or her name was called.
President Rankin then made an ad-
dress, full of kindly encouragement
and praise for the graduates and COM
DlIments to the faculty. There is no.
profession, declared President Rankin,
which has better or nobler tendencies
than that of medicine. The speaker
was inclined to think a man would
make a better doctor if he were a miu-
ister. Next to minister, physician
vas a most important factor in any
He is a personal friend
of the family, the relation between the
two not being entirely commercial
one. In the noble profession the grad
yates can play noble parts, so said
Rankin, and he urged them
to be true to their responsibilities. In
conclusion he invoked the blessing OF
God upon them.
After benediction by Rev. Or.
T 90, -, and another selection by the