Philadelphia Dental College - Class Book Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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viate suffering and that from the dignity of our positions, we may by the power of example and the strength of advice be- come a moral and intellectual force. lt is such aims which ennoble men and renders them as care- ful of the sanctity of professional reputation as of the purity of the baptismal robe. There is another reason why we should feel elated and that is that it is our privilege to claim the honor of graduating in the Class of '98. It is and always has been conceded by the members of every class, if by nobody else, that when graduated they were a little superior to any that ever preceded them. As this seems to be a class prerogative, we intend to take advantage of it and will endeavor to show reason for the faith that is within us. The history of the class has been already ably presented by one of our number so I will dwell upon it but lightly. Members of this class were found foremost in every attempt made in the college to advance the standard of any organization connected with it. Look at our orchestra! Look at our foot- ball team, our glee club, our mandolin club, in fact everything connected with the college has '98 indelibly stamped on its ban- ner. But one effort made by this class, if no other was recorded to its credit, has insured for it a place of prominence in college history. To the Class of '98 belongs the honor of instituting a class day and bringing out an elaborate class book containing a rec- ord of our college course. Now if our friends ask for our class book we can produce one of which any class, anywhere, would be proud. Altogether we may assure ourselves that we have set an ex- ample and made a record which our successors will do well if they equal, to exceed it we think a vain hope. But friends, There is no Rose without a Thorn, No ,Toy without a Sor- row, and in the minds of our enthusiasm and glee, we should recall two faces that would have been here tonight had not an 241

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Zlaledictorv Hddress Delivered dl HCGGCIIW of mllSlC, Philadelphia Jlpril lst, ls9s BV william P. Dwlllt W NOTHER vearg another page in the records of time Q has passed with its contributions to Art Science and Literature and once more this great building has opened its portals to admit a jubilant throng. It has been our privilege to assist on previous occasions at ceremonies of a similar nature, but how different then our feel- ings, how different the motives which prompted our attendance and we had not then that sentiment of joy and elation which rules us tonight. Then we sat here with a spirit of longing and of hope, as we saw each man receive the scroll which sealed his title-a title which gave him standing in the community and a place of honor amongst his fellow men. But tonight it is ours to exult and to have our friends rejoice with us, for tonight we stand in the longed-for position. We have been passed and approved, and the fiat of the powers says we shall receive that for which we have so earnestly striven, the title for which we have hoped, prayed, sacrificed and labored, this is now ours to enjoy, to guard, cherish and uphold. Let me not convey the impression that the mere possession ofa title has been the goal of our ambition. Far from it! We have embarked in the study of our profession from different and better motives. We have the gratification of knowing that we may be benefactors of our fellow man, that we are able to alle- 240

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all-wise Providence decreed it otherwise. I refer to our friends and classmates, Marks D. Warsher and Louis Weth. They have been called to their eternal home where they are free from mor- tal woes and worries, and where, according to the promise of tl1e Creator, they are enjoying the reward which their labors on earth merited. Their sudden taking off reminds us of the little- ness of all earthly things. Fame, Wealth, Position will not serve us when we are considered ripe for the sickle of the reapcr. So let us live then, as righteous men, striving for the comfort, advancement and enlightenment of our fellow men that when we are called from our labors the world will be the better for our having lived in it. Another thought presents and commands mention. Our college-course is finished. We have worked hard, studied hard and now go forth to try our fortunes and our skill. Many might say-We are no longer students, a truce to books! VVe have no time for study as we must go forth and take our place in the world. To many these thoughts may occur and to them let me say, Pause and remember, that when you cease to be a student you begin to be a fossil. When you stop feed- ing and cultivating the mind, degeneration and retrogression are close at hand. There should be but one course in which we should move--Upward and Onward l All others are down- ward. As you build up your practice, build up your mind. There is no man, no matter what his title, who should not be a student. Study that you may be in thc van of progress and in the front rank of your profession. ' It is not only your privilege but your duty to mankind, to yourself, to your Alma Mater and to your profession. If you do not you will be quickly classified by the knowing public of to- day as belonging to an inferior order and the result will be your failure and undoing. We are assembled here tonight probably for the last time together and who may venture to predict where we will be in even one short year. Soon we must walk up to the pier and as the plank is drawn in, bid many of our number a lasting and final farewell. A last 242