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The commencement of an other session has already recalled our collegiate brethren to the pursuit of their several studies, and again we drawn together by stronger & more lasting ties have rekindled the flame on our little altar of science.
The intervention of a few weeks since last we met has doubtless served to prepare your minds for the exercises of the ensuing session, whilst it may be hoped that after your late visit to those places where was instilled into your young breasts each lofty aspiration & virtuous sentiment which can hallow ambition & render life pleasant you have returned to tell by precept & example that this is no transient impression. Another session with its pleasures & pains is before us & Gentlemen you will pardon me for saying that on you & you alone will depend the character of those proceedings which shall mark its progress in this hall. More than this, if you determine that these shall be harmonious, you alone will reap the pleasures consequent thereon. If otherwise, you will suffer all the pain arising from their discord. For, within this hall we exist as a seperate world, we have our convulsions, times of prosperity & depression & we alone are affected by them. Whilst on the other hand no revolution in the affairs of the country can interrupt our deliberations, no political excitement extend its influence within yonder sacred lintel. We feel that—
Fellow-members — it was with astonishment that I heard advocated here
the inutility of addressing you on the subject of abuses in this hall, I was
astonished because the doctrine seemed replete with absurdity. Carry it out
— destroy the system of public monitors, acknowledge the uselessness
of those who weekly in the pulpit or periodically in your halls of legislation
reprove the misdeeds of their fellows, "allure to brighter worlds
& lead the way," and you instantly sap the very foundationsthinking out anecdotes whose only merit is their
length, slang and freedom from truth or practising music long since fashionable
at the neighboring corn-shucking? I sent the question directly to each one of
you and you must answer it as best you can. If indeed you are those wasting any
considerable portion of your collegiate course beleive me you will repent of it,
the time will come sooner or later when you will in vain endeavour to recall
these moments thus entirely wasted, moments of what time of your life! Was it in
childhood 'ere the sun of reason dawned bright enough to
Fellow-members, you must be aware that the employments which I have named are
totally unworthy of you who will shortly be called on to fill that place which a
state expects to be occupiedd. by in
this society. Are you to be a physician? clear & concise accounts of
the cases which should happen to fall under your observation together with the
treatment required by each will always prove acceptable to the public &
will secure renown as well as business. And no matter what profession you intend
to pursue the spirit of the age is such as to make ignorance as a greater
disgrace than learning is praised. Man rarely feels the worth of those
advantages which he enjoys until they have irrevocably fled; the sick man
discourses eloquently on the blessings of health; the statesman on the pleasures
of retirement, & you will only hereafter learn to appreciate fully the
priveliges which you now enjoy. But in order that you may reap some benefit from
them let me beg you to lay aside your childish amusements & feeling
assured that your own interests are at stake from each other in the regular
performance of your regular duties. Are you diffident? Remember that Mr.
— proves that success has crowned his early efforts to distinguish
himself. Do you fear the corrections? be assured that if you intend to occupy a
situation before the public these criticisms on your style & delivery
must be made; & that they will be proportionably severe according as
they come
Again, gentlemen, let me urge on you the propriety of a better attendance on the duties which you owe to your teachers. A general knowledge, at least, of the studies which you are pursuing in your several classes is absolutely necessary for your improvement & would doubtless greatly better the course at present followed. It is not necessary for you to engage in the contest for distinctions although it would be gratifying — highly gratifying to see our society at least equal her rival in this particular. Mental discipline is the great end of a collegiate education, & it makes but little difference whether this is attained by attention to your text books, or the duties of society, although should you be obliged to neglect one of the two (and I for one do not see the obligation) I would prefer that the lot should fall on your text books because from their perusal you obtain nothing but rigid discipline whilst in the other instance you are exercising yourselves in the pursuits of your future life.
To a few gentlemen in this hall I would say that a better attendance should be
observed as we do not recognize the "divine right," doing as
one pleases here. In conclusion, let me entreat you one & all to change
your course of conduct & knowing yourselves to be deeply interested in
the result perform the duties devolving on you with that which has always
heretofore characterised the members of the
The honour which you have thought fit to confer on me, I shall always remember with gratitude, & let me hope for your assistance in my endeavours to perform my duties with fidelity as well as impartiality.