THE 
ANNUAL ADDRESS 
TO THE 
CANDIDATES 
FOR 
DEGREES AND LICENSES, 
IN THE 
MEDICAL INSTITUTION OF YALE COLLEGE, 
FEBRUARY 26, 1839. 
BY THOMAS MINER, M. D., 
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINATION, AND LATE PRESIDENT OF THE CONNECTICUT 
MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE CLASS. 
NEW HAVEN: 
PRINTED BY B. L. HAMLEN. 
1839. ADDRESS, 
It is supposed by many, that professional men lead a very 
easy life, exempt from much of the care, labor, and trouble, 
that attend most of the pursuits of the rest of mankind. This 
idea is carried so far, that in many instances, the vulgar are 
taught to envy them, and look on them with suspicion, as a 
privileged order. Though I consider theology and juris- 
prudence as two of the main pillars which support civil so- 
ciety, yet this is not the occasion for entering upon their 
defense. My concern now is with our own profession of 
medicine. 
A young man cannot possibly make a greater mistake, than 
to commence the study of medicine under the impression, 
that it is an easy and smooth way to obtain a comfortable 
support and reputable standing in society. If this is his main 
object, he will certainly be disappointed. In proportion to 
the expense of time and money for obtaining a thorough 
medical education, the labor and fatigue of body and mind 
in the practice, and above all, the weight of responsibility to 
conscience, to employers, and to the public, no class of our 
citizens have such indifferent pecuniary remuneration, as the 
regular physicians. Were the acquisition of wealth the only 
consideration, there is no reputable trade or occupation, in 
Which the same labor, industry, and prudence would not be 
likely to prove more lucrative. I may also add the same cap- 
ital ; because the expense of time, money, and even in many 
cases, of health, that are incurred before any one can become 
master of our profession, so as to be a proper candidate for 
public patronage, taken as a whole, is much greater than the 
capital which is expected to be in possession of the young 
man who is entering upon almost any other employment, ex- 
cept the two other learned professions. 4 
I do not make this statement, however, by way of com- 
plaint of the want of public patronage and respect, and by no 
means to discourage my younger brethren in the beginning 
of their career. It is best for them to know and consider the 
difficulties at first, that they may be prepared to meet them 
with fortitude, and to overcome them by patience, prudence, 
and perseverance. The prospect, however, is not all ob- 
scured by a deep and gloomy shadow. There are many 
bright spots on the landscape, which stand forth in clear if 
not high relief. 
In the first place, to a mind that has been disciplined by 
a proper education, there is perhaps no enjoyment equal 
to that which arises from the habit of study, investiga- 
tion, and accurate observation. This is peculiarly the case 
when study has practical utility for its object. With the real 
scholar, pecuniary reward is only the contingent and remote 
object. He receives far the greater portion of his pay down, 
as he goes along, in the satisfaction which he enjoys in his 
mental employment. He loves his study, profession, or call- 
ing, and pursues it principally for its own sake, while he is in 
it being regardless of the contingent circumstances. He is 
carried along and sustained by a pleasurable excitement, 
which leads him to overlook or despise the trifling incon- 
veniences on the road. A physician often takes as high an 
interest in a peculiar case, for which he knows he is to have 
no pecuniary reward, as in one in which it is customary for 
him to make his highest charge. Our profession actually per- 
form more acts of humanity, charity, and benevolence, than 
perhaps any other in the community. This part of our duty, 
when entered upon with a right spirit, I consider as a favor, 
and not a heavy tax. It enlists the affections, and brings the 
best of them into operation, at the same time that the highest 
faculties of the understanding are employed. 
This world is only a state of trial, and not the place of our 
permanent residence. It is exactly fitted, however, for such 
beings as we are in our present condition. It is full of evils, 
but if we rightly meet them, it is a comfortable abode after 5 
all. With the exception of mere abstract speculation-a cer- 
tain portion of which may not be improper as mental disci- 
pline-almost all human employment consists in the endeavor 
to prevent, palliate, or remove some moral or physical evil. 
And we are so formed, that by far the greatest satisfaction 
which we take consists in efforts of this kind. Instead, 
therefore, of lamenting and complaining of the evils and ob- 
stacles in our way, we are to set ourselves to work to lessen 
them. As we are at present constituted, were it possible for 
us to be removed to a world where there were no trials, 
temptations, wants, evils, or dangers, it is difficult to con- 
ceive what we should have to do. Where there are no favors 
needed, there can be no gratitude ; no poverty, no charity ; 
no disease, no cure ; no transgression, no pardon ; no danger, 
no protection. In a word, with my limited views, I cannot 
conceive of complete happiness, where there is no knowledge 
of real or possible evil. 
From these considerations, I cannot help considering those 
who are so sensitive as to be constantly smarting under the 
evils of life, and complaining of them upon every occasion, 
as being morally insane, and insensible of the blessings they 
enjoy. My charity forces upon me this consideration; oth- 
erwise, I should have to consider them as rebelling against 
their Creator, and murmuring at him for the situation in 
which he has placed them. 
Notwithstanding all the arduous duties and responsibilities 
of our profession, to say nothing at present of the many pos- 
itive difficulties that are to be overcome, or submitted to with 
patience, it is still one of the most noble and benevolent em- 
ployments in which a good man can engage. It furnishes 
him with a very fair opportunity of being extensively useful 
to his fellow beings. If he is only a man of common pru- 
dence and industry, he rarely fails of a respectable support, 
though in ordinary circumstances he is not to expect to be- 
come rich. In fact, if wealth were his main object, he would 
be, in a great measure, unfit for his profession. His ultimate 
aim is of a higher and nobler kind. 6 
By these remarks, I do not mean that he should be desti- 
tute of common sense and common prudence, so as not to 
provide property for himself and his family. He must be in- 
dustrious, prudent, and economical. Indeed, he must be 
useful to himself, if he would expect to be truly useful to oth- 
ers. No man in embarrassed pecuniary circumstances can 
employ his professional talents to full advantage. All which 
I intend is, that the acquisition of property should not be his 
ultimate object. If it is, he has certainly made a great mis- 
take in the choice of his employment. 
To a reflecting mind, the period between being admitted 
as a candidate for a learned profession and becoming perma- 
nently settled in it, is the most anxious time of life. In an 
old settled country, all places appear to be already filled, and 
there seems to be no room for additional services. But this 
kind of discouragement, which at first view makes the pros- 
pect appear gloomy, is one of the very things which in the 
end generally operates to the advantage of the young man. 
However perfect his theory may be, he is still deficient in 
that experience which is necessary to fit him for full prac- 
tice. It is really a favor, that his business and patronage at 
first are small. He has leisure to investigate the few cases 
that he has, can revise his studies to the best advantage when 
he has instances before him to illustrate them, and gradually 
acquires an experience, which will enable him hereafter to 
stand on firm ground. In general, it is far better for the 
young physician to begin with one patient at a time, than to 
have ten placed under his care at once. The reputation, 
with the business which is slowly acquired, is sustained 
with comparative ease. It will be found, at least so far as 
my observation extends, that the majority of those young 
men, who have suddenly become popular, either from some 
happy incident, or from the ill-judged puffing and extensive 
patronage of a set of mistaken friends, are rarely able to sus- 
tain their premature reputation. If they are ambitious to 
continue to merit it, they are apt to break down early, under 
their severe course of industry and application. On the other 7 
hand, too much success is liable to turn their heads, to make 
them relax in their efforts, and finally to sink them to the 
level, if not below it, of those who at first were far behind 
them. It is a process of nature, for a child first to creep, to 
develope the strength of his limbs so as to fit him more 
readily to walk. I well recollect a young clergyman, who 
for several months did not deliver a single discourse which 
was not so finished as to be fit for the press. He was the 
best preacher whom I ever knew of his age. It required no 
prophetic vision to predict that something must soon give 
way. His health failed him, and I think, he was obliged to 
renounce his charge before he had been settled a year. A 
more lamentable instance is in my mind, of a young physi- 
cian who suddenly went into very full practice with exten- 
sive popularity. He did not sustain himself longer than 
three or four years, and prematurely died. Several speci- 
mens of the kind might be given among the gentlemen of 
the bar. The usual slow and steady course, which Provi- 
dence points out for the advancement of young men to sta- 
tions of usefulness to mankind, with honor and profit to 
themselves, is generally the best, both for themselves and 
their employers. Further, a young man who has happened 
suddenly to arrive at eminence, has a very difficult and labo- 
rious task. We measure men by themselves, as well as by 
others, and expect them to grow in reputation as they ad- 
vance in age. However eminent, therefore, a physical! may 
be at the age of twenty five, we expect him to gain like other 
men till he is forty or forty five. With this view, a very sen- 
sible middle aged practitioner once confessed to a friend, that 
he had more business than he could do justice to, and more 
reputation than he could sustain. 1 am happy to say, how- 
ever, that he succeeded notwithstanding his apprehensions. 
The circumstance, that all places seem to be full, without 
any vacancies worth occupying, is more of a discouragement 
in appearance, than in reality. There are situations enough 
in which something may be done ; and it is difficult to find 
a man thirty years of age, who is well fitted for his profes- 8 
sion, by his talents and acquirements, and at the same time 
is possessed of common sense, common prudence, and com- 
mon industry, that has not a comfortable, permanent settle- 
ment. If it is his misfortune to be decidedly and permanently 
unpopular, it is commonly owing to some defect in him, and 
not to any fault in the world. So general is the rule, that 
in the observation of forty years, I do not recollect a single 
instance to the contrary. There may be, and there often is, 
an unhappy concurrence of circumstances, which for a lime 
serve to depress merit; but when it is attended with pru- 
dence and perseverance, in the end, it is sure to be acknowl- 
edged. 
In analyzing the human powers and faculties, and examin- 
ing the springs of action, by which influence is easily exercis- 
ed over others, in a word, to define what constitutes character, 
or weight of character, we often find it a difficult matter to 
explain. Integrity, industry, skill, and many talents of the 
first order, may be occasionally possessed, and yet the un- 
happy person may have very little influence, and consequently 
but imperfect success in most of his undertakings. The 
truth is, I apprehend, notwithstanding all his excellencies, he 
has some prominent defect in his character, which prevents 
him from having, what would otherwise be, his proportional 
influence in society. 
The most important point is to acquire self-command, if 
we ever expect to have any permanent influence over others. 
We must not lose our balance, whenever we meet with any 
trifling, unpleasant circumstance. We are never to expect to 
have every thing go exactly right in this world. At best, 
we can make only a distant approximation to perfection. 
This is all which we are to expect in others, and certainly it 
is all that a modest man can expect others to find in him. In a 
certain sense, as I said on another public occasion, I consider 
our profession, full as much as clergymen, to be a kind of 
missionaries, to cultivate, improve, and reform the world. 
For this purpose, we must take the world exactly as it is. 
We are to endeavor to palliate the evils which come within 9 
our sphere, not to quarrel with them, and be constantly com- 
plaining of them, and of our want of complete success. 
We are also to bear with patience those which we cannot 
remove. Though we cannot effect every thing that might 
be desirable, yet we can all contribute something to the 
general good. 
Next to self-control, or an almost imperturbable equanimity, 
probably the most important circumstance in a character for 
influence, is independence and firmness. And perhaps no 
two qualities are more commonly mistaken and misunder- 
stood. Independence consists in a man's thinking for him- 
self; firmness, in acting for himself, according to the dictates 
of his conscience. There is a wrong, as well as a right way 
of exhibiting both of these qualities. They ought rarely, if 
ever, to be called into operation, upon matters of indifference 
or mere expediency; and when they are required, they 
usually have much more influence when exercised in a 
smooth, than in a rough and forbidding manner. It is a 
great error to imagine, that a man cannot be independent, 
unless he thinks differently from the great mass of mankind 
upon plain and common sense topics, so that he must be al- 
ways disputing, and taking the opposite side. He also makes 
the same mistake as to firmness, by obstinately adhering to 
matters of little importance. People of this description are 
generally the last to yield to others the liberties they are 
constantly taking themselves, and though always inclined to 
dispute, are yet the most impatient when their own opinions 
are controverted, even in the most delicate manner. They 
are a kind of noli me tang ere, with which it is dificult to 
come in contact without receiving a sting. Such a charac- 
ter never succeeds well in any situation, and it is most of all 
unhappy in a professional man. 
True independence and firmness, keep a man stable and 
consistent, without leading him into the extreme measures of 
an ultra partisan. He adheres steadily to his own opinions, 
but does not obtrude them when they are uncalled for by 
the occasion. If he happens to be attacked, he defends him- 10 
self with such prudence, as not to throw himself apparently 
into the wrong. It is not uncommon to defend a good cause 
with a bad spirit, so that the original subject of contention 
is entirely lost sight of by the spectators, who are led to take 
part against the man who was originally aggrieved, merely 
from his injudicious management. 
Scarcely any thing is more profitable for physicians, and 
nothing contributes more to their harmony, than a free inter- 
course with their professional brethren. I have never known 
a pleasant and amiable practitioner, who wished, like a tor- 
toise, always to keep within his own shell. Young men in 
particular ought to attend every medical meeting, and em- 
brace every opportunity for associating with elder physicians. 
The elder are always fond of the attentions of modest young 
men, and treat them with civility. It is a great error to as- 
sociate with those alone, whose views coincide with ours 
on theory or practice. There is usually much more to be 
learned from meeting men of opposite views, provided they 
treat us in a candid and gentlemanly manner. Indeed, we 
often find on coming in contact, that much of the supposed 
difference consists rather in the appearance, than the reality. 
It is a privilege to be able to witness opposite modes of prac- 
tice. I should like to see a case treated by a disciple of 
Hahnemann, could I do it without compromising the dig- 
nity of the profession, by appearing to countenance quack- 
ery and imposition. It would be quite a curiosity, and one 
that might be profitable, to learn how various diseases would 
terminate, without medicine in any appreciable quantity, or 
solely under mental influence. 
Above all, whoever means to get along smoothly with 
his medical brethren, and pleasantly with himself and the 
world, must beware of indulging jealousy and suspicion. 
He must shut his ears to tattlers and informers. No piece of 
unpleasant information is ever related with all its attendant 
circumstances. In free conversation, we mention occasion- 
ally the whims and foibles even of our best friends. We 
cannot be under the restraint of a gag law. Many things, 11 
therefore, are thoughtlessly and carelessly, or humorously 
said, which have little or no meaning at the time ; but if they 
are repeated, especially as they come from the mouth of a 
tattler, they wear a different aspect. A sensitiveness to this 
kind of information, is one of the most unfortunate condi- 
tions into which a professional man can fall. He soon mag- 
nifies molehills into mountains, and becomes a monomaniac, 
by believing that every man is against him, who does not 
speak of him as if he had arrived at absolute perfection. 
There is a much closer connexion between the exterior 
and the interior, than is usually imagined. To be either a 
fop or a sloven in dress, shows equally a bad taste, and a 
want of a healthy, well balanced mind. It is no small con- 
sequence to be in the habit of wearing a pleasant counte- 
nance. The adjustment of the features has a real effect 
upon the turn of mind. A certain physiognomist is said to 
have been able generally to divine the train of thought of 
the person whom he was observing. He was a great mimic, 
and would first assume the look and form of countenance of 
his subject. The attending train of thought then usually 
occurred to him, as a matter of course. Expression of coun- 
tenance, therefore, is perhaps as often the cause, as the effect 
of the train of thought. But the most obvious and re- 
markable particular of this kind, is the connexion of the 
tone of voice with our passions and feelings. Much depends 
simply upon the pitch. It is nearly or quite impossible to 
chide, scold, or say any thing offensive-except perhaps to 
sneer-in a low tone of voice. It is thought, that the habit 
of the Quakers of always speaking in a mild, soft, low tone, 
contributes more to enable them to preserve an unruffled 
temper, than any other single circumstance whatever. The 
very same language, therefore, which is only earnest, but 
affectionate and suitable advice, when uttered in a mild, low 
tone of voice, may easily become rough and bitter reproach, 
merely from altering the pitch, and from the manner that is 
usually assumed under such a change. I once knew a man, of 
whom I could predict, that he was about falling into a pas- 12 
sion, and becoming as unreasonable as a maniac, from ob- 
serving him make and repeat a certain, peculiar, awkward 
gesture. If he had been early taught to break himself of 
this trick, I have no doubt, it would have prevented him 
from falling into many a fit of anger, with the troublesome 
consequences to himself and his connexions. I had another 
acquaintance, who was apt suddenly to raise the pitch of his 
voice, without any other provocation, than some idea which 
was created by his own imagination. A storm was sure to 
follow, and he would rave like a mad man. A third could 
rarely express his dislike to any thing, except in the tones of 
a common scold. 
As the success or failure of individuals almost always de- 
pends upon themselves, so the reputation, influence, and use- 
fulness of a profession, are principally owing to their standing 
as a body. Any reformation or improvement must begin 
with them. They must elevate themselves, if they expect 
a high station in society. In this respect, keeping up the 
idea that physicians resemble missionaries, their duty is 
rather to lead and give a tone to the public mind, than to 
follow it. They must make it evident to the world, that the 
regular practitioner is far superior to the empiric. They must 
show by their actions, that they are fond of their profession, 
as a most important institution in aid of humanity and be- 
nevolence, to which they are attached, as a matter of taste 
and principle, as well as from its being the means of their 
support. They should delight in looking upon the fair side 
of things, in mentioning the happy results, and in giving 
full credit to the respective members of the profession. They 
should not take a morbid pleasure in dwelling upon the diffi- 
culties and obstacles in the way of the practice, or in relating 
the failings, errors, and mistakes of their brethren. Much 
less should they indulge in the habit of complaining of the 
world, because they suppose, their merits and services are 
not duly appreciated, and thus become the trumpeters of their 
own supposed unpopularity. 13 
I am happy to be able to give my decided opinion, that 
the regular practitioners, as a body, have greatly improved 
within the last forty years. Our candidates for practice are 
much better prepared now, than they were formerly. Their 
opportunities for becoming well fitted have increased, per- 
haps in tenfold ratio, since the days of their fathers. We 
have now ample means of studying anatomy, physiology, 
botany, chemistry, and surgery ; and the vast improvements 
in materia medica, by furnishing a number of new agents, 
and by the discovery of new properties in the old articles, 
have provided the practitioner of physic with an ample sup- 
ply of the most valuable materials, by which he is now fre- 
quently able to subdue diseases, that were formerly beyond 
the reach of his predecessors. I should now hardly be wil- 
ling to attempt the practice of physic a single day, if I were 
restricted to the means, and confined within the limits, as 
they existed when I first entered upon the profession. 
We must not slight the memory of our predecessors, how- 
ever, because they lacked the benefits which we now enjoy. 
They were our pioneers, who cleared away much of the rub- 
bish, by which we now have our smooth roads. Considering 
their means, they did full as well as we do now; I sometimes 
think, rather better. They were sensible, that they were 
but imperfectly fitted when they began to practice, and con- 
sequently many of them continued their studies unremit- 
tingly through life. They had, therefore, full as many emi- 
nent men, in proportion to the advantages of their day, and 
as many distinguished scholars, in comparison with their 
numbers, as we can now furnish. 
Nothing is more common, than to overlook and undervalue 
the high advantages which we enjoy. In this point of view, 
I have often thought, that this Medical Institution has not 
been sufficiently appreciated, either by the medical profes- 
sion or the public. I feel confident in boldly asserting, that 
the means for obtaining a thorough medical education, in 
probably all its branches, are full equal to those of any other 
school in the country. The opportunities for acquiring a 14 
minute knowledge of anatomy are as good, and the means 
are furnished at as moderate an expense, as at any other 
place. Our course of chemistry is allowed to be unrivalled. 
Our courses upon surgery, and upon theory and practice, 
will respectably compare with any others. Upon one im- 
portant branch, we are decidedly superior to all our cotem- 
poraries. In the study of indigenous materia medica, which 
was so happily begun by the first professor, who may be con- 
sidered as the founder of this branch of materia medica, and 
which has been continued by his successor, we are decidedly 
without a rival, and are probably half a century in advance 
of the age. It is probable that more indigenous articles are 
regularly employed by those who have been educated in this 
school, or have been connected with it, and their nature is 
better understood, than by all the other physicians of the 
United States, or of the world. In this respect, justice has 
never been half done to this institution, either at home or 
abroad. 
I do not mention the subject of the comparative excel- 
lence of our school for the sake of undervaluing other in- 
stitutions, the high merits of many of which I cheerfully 
acknowledge. It is for the purpose of informing our stu- 
dents of their peculiar advantages. I will repeat, and en- 
force the idea, wishing it to be distinctly understood. In all 
the main branches, our courses and means of instruction are 
full equal to those of other schools; and indigenous medical 
botany-a branch which, for the honor of the country, and 
its importance to the healing art, is apt to be strangely over- 
looked-as far as my information extends, is no where else 
thoroughly taught, or its importance appreciated. 
After entering upon a profession, it is not only necessary 
to be respectable, but if possible, a certain degree of eminence 
is very desirable. An eminent man has this advantage, that 
his services are acknowledged to be necessary; business, 
therefore, seeks him, and comes to him; whereas, if he were 
not above mediocrity, it is probable, he would have to seek 
business, and run after it. Where the eminent man bestows 15 
his services, though he is commonly well remunerated, he 
is considered as conferring a kind of favor; on the other- 
hand, the favor is considered as being almost exclusively 
conferred on the moderate man, when he finds employment. 
It becomes every practitioner, therefore, to have an elevated 
standard in view, and to make as great approximation towards 
it, as possible. When a right course is entered upon, and 
properly pursued, comparative eminence, I apprehend, is not 
an attainment of so much difficulty, as is often imagined. It 
requires scarcely any thing more than prudence, industry, 
and perseverance; and when these become a habit, instead 
of being a drudgery, they are permanent sources of enjoy- 
ment. But, they must be pursued in a certain method, in 
order to ensure success. 
In the first place, it is requisite that the practitioner should 
not lose his taste for study. He must not mistake his pro- 
fession for a trade, which is fully learned by the time that 
he has gone through his course of regular instruction, as if 
the period of his being a student was like that of an appren- 
ticeship of a mechanic. He must consider, that in a sense, 
when he enters upon his profession, he has only begun to 
learn. The main difference in his present situation is, that 
instead of being under instructors and professors, he is now 
his own teacher. He must resolutely devote a stated por- 
tion of his time to study, to reading old writers, and to be- 
coming familiar with new. A man of only common talents 
and common acquirements, if he begins in this way, and 
resolutely spends only two hours every day in his study- 
which is only a proper relaxation and amusement in the in- 
tervals of ordinary business-will unexpectedly find, by the 
time he is forty years of age, and probably five years earlier, 
that he ranks among the eminent of his profession. This is 
only by rationally and pleasantly improving those scraps of 
time, which others insensibly lose in idleness and trifling 
gossip. In this way he can, not only keep up with the im- 
provements of the day, but he may also become acquainted 
with the experience of past ages. At the same time, he 
becomes both a practical and a learned man. 16 
After all, notwithstanding the highest physical and mental 
cultivation, a great part of the success and usefulness, and 
nearly all the happiness which a professional man can ra- 
tionally expect to enjoy, either now or hereafter, must prin- 
cipally depend upon the discipline of his mind. All his 
mental and moral faculties must be in a healthy condition. 
It is no matter how much the understanding may be im- 
proved. Acquirements of this kind frequently serve only to 
increase the sensibility to the trials, pains, and troubles in- 
separable from this life, where the will and affections have 
never been properly trained, and become habitually directed 
in a true course. It is not usurping the province of the 
moralist and divine, for teachers of every description to keep 
the importance of this moral discipline always in view of 
their pupils. It is the only sure balance wheel, by which 
the variegated actions of life can be regulated, and kept in 
proper order. Nothing besides keeps us from being too much 
elated in prosperity, or too greatly depressed in adversity. A 
physician, to be as useful to himself and others as is possible, 
must be not only a learned, but a good man, in whom all the 
amiable and benevolent feelings are developed and cultiva- 
ted. If his temper is not right, every thing about him is apt 
to go wrong. If the unruly feelings, passions, and appe- 
tites, are not, in a great measure, subdued and controlled, he 
is more than most other men beset with temptations, which 
are liable to call them into action. The great law of benev- 
olence and charity, in addition to its being binding upon all, 
is peculiarly imperative, as respects himself. It is not out of 
place to state, that this law, in its various bearings and rami- 
fications, is most perfectly developed in the Sth, 6th, and 7th 
chapters of Matthew, commonly called, the sermon on the 
mount. The ablest and most practical commentary upon 
it, is to be found in the 13th chapter of the 1st of Corin- 
thians. 
An accurate acquaintance with that charity which is so 
inimitably described by the apostle, together with its cordial 
and habitual application, would fit us for any condition or 17 
sphere of life. We should perform all our duties, and pass 
through all our trials, with ease and satisfaction, and by act- 
ing well our part here, we might humbly hope to become 
fitted for another and a better world. 
But, I cannot dismiss this part of the subject here, when 
endeavoring to exhibit some of the principal means of be- 
coming permanently useful in the performance of duty. 
The Scriptures, besides being the only sure guide to a 
blessed immortality, contain the only perfect rules for our 
conduct in this life, as relates to ourselves, and our fellow 
men. A mere worldly man, who confines his views to the 
present time, can no where find the principles and maxims 
of common prudence so clearly delineated, as in the Bible. 
In no other book is human nature so accurately described. 
In no other book is the true method pointed out for succeed- 
ing well in this world, and of living comfortably and res- 
pectably. The spirit of humility, meekness, charity and 
benevolence, which it inculcates, will keep mankind clear of 
a great portion of the ills of life, and will teach to bear 
those which are unavoidable with a submission that light- 
ens them of half their burden, and makes their weight very 
tolerable. When to this is added a well grounded hope of 
a blessed immortality, even the greatest temporal sufferings 
are comparatively a trifle. In a civilized and Christian com- 
munity, he who follows the precepts of the gospel as strictly 
as human imperfection admits, will find he has no burdens 
which he is unable to bear, in ordinary circumstances, and will 
be exposed to no trials, which are not adapted to strengthen 
and improve his virtue. He makes a true estimate of the 
world, and therefore is not disappointed and ruffled when 
every thing does not go as he could wish. He rightly values 
all the blessings which he enjoys, and finds that most of the 
adversity which he suffers, has either been caused, or mate- 
rially aggravated, by his own fault. This teaches him hu- 
mility, submission, and resignation. " Blessed are the meek ; 
for they shall inherit the earth" Here is not only advice 
and instruction, but a promise from the mouth of the divine 18 
founder of the gospel, that meekness, or mildness of charac- 
ter, in conjunction with the other Christian virtues, will in- 
sure all necessary temporal prosperity. 
We are thus shown, that the temper and conduct which 
makes us pleasant, agreeable, and amiable towards others, is 
the very best for ourselves, contributing most to our own 
prosperity and happiness. 
The constant study of the Scriptures is at all times profit- 
able, but it is more peculiarly necessary for those who are 
about entering upon the busy scenes of life, and settling 
themselves in the world. They will here find perfect rules 
for their conduct in the world, under all circumstances. 
They will be taught to limit their views and expectations, 
and the relative value of the objects before them. Thus, 
they will never be liable to be disappointed, or be taken by 
surprise, by any of the sudden and unforeseen events of 
Providence. 
It is often made a question, how far the distinction of 
wealth, honor, and eminence, is to be sought after and de- 
sired. 1 think, it is not difficult to settle the matter, upon 
Christian principles. The pursuit of either of these objects, 
for itself, is but a sordid, selfish concern. At the same time, 
each has its value, and is not to be despised, under certain 
restrictions. As far as it is followed, not as the end, but as 
the means of doing good, it is desirable. A professional 
man is a conspicuous public agent. He must, therefore, 
have a character which will give him an influence superior 
to most men in private stations, or he cannot make an im- 
pression sufficient to become extensively useful. A com- 
fortable support, a respectable standing, and reputation for 
skill, to a certain degree, he must possess, as they are the 
principal means to enable him to do the duties of his calling. 
There is no clashing of duties, if they are performed ac- 
cording to the spirit of the gospel. When exercising benev- 
olence to others, we are best providing for ourselves; and 
when properly providing for ourselves, we increase our abil- 
ity to be useful to others. And both sets of duties are cheer- 19 
ful and happy exercises, of themselves ; but they are much 
heightened, and receive a new relish, when they are per- 
formed in love and obedience to our Creator. 
I feel it incumbent upon me, in an address to young men 
who are going out into the world, to insist upon the necessity 
of this moral discipline of the will, affections, passions, and 
I may add, appetites, because without it, the highest culti- 
vation of the powers and faculties of the understanding, 
must be very defective and imperfect. They are liable to 
meet with difficulties and troubles on every side; but by 
far their greatest difficulty is, to conduct themselves rightly 
under them. If they consider this world, as it is in reality, 
as only being a place of trial, in which they are to become 
fitted for another and nobler state of existence, they will 
find that no burden is laid upon them which is improper 
for them to bear. Indeed, it will be borne easily and cheer- 
fully, or at any rate, it will be received with submission and 
resignation, when it is felt to be the means of their own im- 
provement. Under the opposite trial of sudden and unex- 
pected prosperity-which, when it happens to occur, is as 
difficult to be borne as adversity-they will be able to con- 
duct themselves with meekness and humility. 
Cowper said of his country, with great propriety, patriot- 
ism, and good feeling, 
" England, with all thy faults, I love thee still." 
So a good physician loves his profession, and a good man 
loves his fellow men. It is a striking mark of depravity- 
or, I more charitably think, in many instances, of a diseased 
mind-to take a morbid delight in recounting and complain- 
ing of the difficulties of our profession, and of life in gene- 
ral. A healthy mind needs no such acrid stimulus, and 
shrinks from such unnatural excitement. It delights in 
what is lovely and amiable, and has always bright spots 
enough in view, upon which the eye can rest with satisfac- 
tion. As a general rule, the smiles of Providence are far 20 
more numerous than the frowns, and we have abundant rea- 
sons for gratitude for the many unmerited favors we enjoy. 
Those who have not sadly misjudged of their talents and 
faculties, and have not entered upon the profession with, 
mistaken views of its nature and object, will find that their 
success, under Providence, is to depend almost entirely on 
themselves. This is what has been my principal aim to 
inculcate. With sound moral principle for the foundation- 
without which nothing can be stable-aided by common 
sense and common prudence, there can be no reasonable ap- 
prehension of failure. The occasional obstacles and diffi- 
culties, with the temporary fears, will prove only a sufficient 
stimulus to bring all the energies into action. It was a 
maxim with Sir William Jones, that whatever any other 
man could do, he could do. A degree of confidence of this 
kind in his own powers, though tempered with suitable mod- 
esty, is necessary for every young man to possess, who as- 
pires after eminence, as the means of doing the greatest good 
in his profession. 
One thing is certain. All can do their duty. It is upon 
this principle that all moral accountability rests. Without 
it, all laws and commands would be an absurdity. He to 
whom his Creator has loaned a capital of ten talents, and 
he who has but one, are equally responsible for the charge 
intrusted to their care, and are equally bound to conduct 
themselves as good stewards, who will one day have to ren- 
der an account.