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

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look, a last word and except by rare chance, they pass from our sight for years or it may be forever. Even those who remain will be scattered throughout the length and breadth of this glorious country. But let him live where he will, in this country or another, he has the professional journals as a medium of communication. The mail steamers will bring tidings of his efforts and successes and if his love for his Alma Mater, his appreciation of the hospitality of his American brethren, or respect for tl1e Hag which for three years has Hoated over him, the emblem of the liberty and equality which it so well represents, will make him feel that he must hear from his old friends again and he knows that they, in turn, are think- ing as earnestly of him. In reviewing our college course, we are impressed by the number of changes which have taken place in the board of in- struction and in our college surroundings. I During those three years we have seen Profs. Garretson, Dorr and Flagg, retired from their chairs, one by death. and one by ill health and one by age, and while we deeply regretted their loss and missed their kindly words of advice and cheer,yet we feel that a good fortune has been watching over us and given back, in even a greater measure, what it took from us, by sending to our assistance such worthy and able men as Profs. Boenning, Creenbaum and Burchard. We have been transported from those murky, gloomy, ill ventilated lecture rooms and from those poorly appointed labora- tories where we began our course, to a building which is prob- ably the finest and most eapaeious structure devoted to the study of dentistry in all our land. A building which contains every modern appliance known to the profession and which has been planned in every department for the comfort and con- venience of the student. But in after years,when memory takes us back to our college days, there will still linger about those old buildings some fleet- ing reminiseences of happy hours spent within their walls, of friendship formed there and of incidents which may have ex- erted a lasting influence on our life and while we are pleased to 243

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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

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4 see the progress and advancement of the institution which sends us forth, we can never let the memory of the old place fade en- tirely from our minds. It is now .my privilege, but sad function, to say farewell to our beloved friends, the Professors of our college, who, since we first placed ourselves under their guidance and instruction have most nobly and faithfully discharged their duties to- ward us. To them we owe much of our future career, and when we go forth to begin our labors their words will ring in our ears, their images will be before our minds and the sterling principles of dental science which they inculcated, will buoy us up and guide us to the surest and safest road to success. And now, gentlemen, it seems that our present re- lations are about to be dissolved, that we will sit no more in the lecture rooms and listen to the eloquent and impressive dis- coveries on Anatomy and Surgery with which Prof. lioenning has electrified and held us spell-bound: to the careful and accur- ate directions for successful practice coming from Prof. Guilford, or to watch Prof.. Burchard as he forged each link and fastened it to the chain in his discussion of Pathology and kindred Sciences. We will not hear again the broad, deep, and com- prehensive truths of Physiology as presented by Prof. Stellwagen or see Prof. Greenbaum quietly induce a blissful suspense of animation while an offending member is removed and hear him discuss the methods of manufacturing and administering the various reliefs which his branch embraces, nor will we again hear and see demonstrated by Prof. Howell the doctrines of that knotty science Chemistry, which under his magic touch is made so simple. We say to you, however, that though we leave you now, the lessons you have taught will go with us, the seed which you have sown will bear a bountiful harvest. In many nations and many climes, those whom you have watched over with a father's anxious care, whom you have labored with early and late, that they might be a 'credit to themselves and to you, will look back on you and murmur fervent benedictions on you and yours with the sincerest wishes for your future honor and success and 244