Valedictory address delivered before the graduating class of the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery : session 1861-62 / by J.L. Suesserott ... February 28th, 1862.

  • Suesserott, J. L. (Jacob Lewis)
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Valedictory address delivered before the graduating class of the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery : session 1861-62 / by J.L. Suesserott ... February 28th, 1862. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    you all the assistance which you need in the commencement of your profession: all the improvements which have been made in its various departments, designed to facilitate the operations of the practitioner, as well as to relieve the suffering of the patient, have been presented for your consideration. It will not be im- proper, therefore, for us to extend to you some words of kindly counsel on the present occasion, as we take a look out upon your future course, which, believe me, gentlemen, will be fraught with the same experiences and subject to the same vicissitudes to which all life has hitherto been, though it may now be gilded over by a fervid imagination. The parent who has seen his boy grow up from infancy to manhood could not send him forth, if he would, to engage in the contest and struggle with the world, with which he is altogether unacquainted, without concern, but ever follows him with his counsels and prayers, and endeavors to open up before him the reality of that life in which he is now for the first time to participate—upon whose stern battle-field he is to take a prominent part, whether willing or not, as a friend or foe of truth. Should we claim like feelings in reference to you, it might be regarded as merely thcindulgence of sentiment; but be assured that it is with feelings of more than ordinary interest that we dismiss you this evening. He but lightly estimates the importance of the relations which the teacher holds to his student, who can be indifferent to the future of those whom he has been permitted to instruct, though but for a short time. The faithful instructor, in whatever department he may labor, will watch attentively for results, and will await with interest the develop- ment of the principles which he has inculcated, whose influence he knows will be as lasting as time itself. You may ever rely upon our sympathy in your welfare, and be assured that we will watch your future course with a jealous eye. You are about to enter upon a position which, if properly used, will insure the respect of your fellow-men, and will ever entitle you to their kind regard; and it is your duty to make a firm determination, if you have not done so already, to do all in your power which will contribute to this result. Remember that it is not only sound policy, but pure morality, which dictates that you should not place yourselves in opposition to settled convic- tions of right and duty. Many young men adopt this course for the purpose of making themselves appear singular, with the hope of gaining a more speedy notoriety, or with the more despicable design of displaying the little ability which they may chance to