Temple University School of Dentistry - Odontolog Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 8 text:

INTRODUCTION j I - Class of 99 scarcely needs an introduction to any of this terrestrial sphere. However, from the mere act of formality, it may be deemed a necessity. Those of this world who do not already know of the wonderful achievements of this Class of '99 will only have to exist a comparatively short time when they shall gaze with admiration and astonishment and exclaim, wonderful! wonderful! what marvelous changes these men have wrought! What more is there that we could do to perpetuate the sacred memory of the past; and, how markedly modest are these exclamations. As a Class, our Class, the Class of ’99 has performed each and every duty, grasped every opportunity and fulfilled each obligation as it might present itself in a way that would tend to make any other Class green with envy, which color is suggestive of the lack of intellectuality, an insinuation which could not fairly be suggested of us. Again the Class of ’99 comes boldly to the front, this time with the assertion that no other Class has introduced so many features conducive to a geniality and the general good-fellowship which characterizes our Class, as has ours, thereby exterminating all Class distinctions. As a natural consequence of our existence, all are our friends and none are our enemies. What a delightfully sweet thing is that, to be the paramount incentive to calm the roughened and turbulent waters. Again, the expressions of personal regard, esteem, confidence, sympathetic affinity; nay, may I not add affection, which each and every individual member of this Class has for each other and the world-at-large, has become an habitual experience and untiring source of satisfaction, which is only another evidence of our superiority. Is it surprising that, with these inexhaustible, excellent qualities, our Class, the Class of ’99, should naturally feel conceited, to a greater or less extent? In fact, is it not permissible? Conceit is to the human character what salt is to the ocean. It keeps it sweet and renders it endurable. To continue to laud the merits of our Class would be an inexhaustible task, for such could never be recorded by any one individual of the average longevity of existence. Shall I go on, or have I said enough ? J- A.