Address delivered to the graduating class of the Indiana Medical College : at the public commencement, Feb. 18, 1847 / by M. L. Knapp.

  • Knapp, M. L. (Moses L.), 1799-1879.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Address delivered to the graduating class of the Indiana Medical College : at the public commencement, Feb. 18, 1847 / by M. L. Knapp. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    labyrinths of difficulties, and make the trials of life but the steps of as- cent to an ennobling greatness. It is, certainly, difficult for a young man, ambitious of public favor and preferment, and a stranger in a place, so to deport himself as not to incur the censure of austerity and reserve, and yet escape being in- sidiously led into the embraces of this or that faction, clique, or sec- sectarian influence in society. Many a young physician has not avoid- ed this alternative, and has afterwards repented his easy virtue, in this respect, when too late. Let no earthly considerations induce you to join any church, or religious society, for worldly advancement; and especially avoid this most inauspicious moment of laying your- selves liable, even, to the imputation. Religion is too sacred to be approached for worldly ends. Better were it for you that a millstone were tied to your necks, and cast with you into the sea, than that you should incur the difficulties and penalties of hypocrites in religion for life. But whilst I would dissuade you from an ill timed, and a Judas' embrace of religion, I would as earnestly enjoin upon you, in truth and soberness, to let every act of your lives be in perfect comformity to the principles of that comprehensive charity, virtue, and benevolence, in- culcated in the divine precepts of Christianity. No other principles of action will answer at the bed side. The consciencious rule of doing for the sick as you would be done by, is the one you must adopt in practice, and never depart from. This comprehends much besides the mere formalas of your art. You will be, called to treat the infirmities and diseases of people of, perhaps, every nation, and of every chris- tian faith; and to witness frail mortality wrhen bereft of every earthly hope, and flying for succor to the only consolations left—the rites of their re- ligion, and the peace of God that passeth all understanding. It will, be especially becoming in yon, and your duty, under such circum- stances, to inquire after their religious faith, and to aid in securing for them, the presence of those holy men of God, their priests, ministers &. religious guides, whose sacred functions are never more touching, than when administering the last holy offices of the church, to perishing, pen- itent mortals. It will best comport with the comprehensive charity that should characterize the physician, that, he regard, alike sacred, the faith and ceremonies of all denominations, and with equal earnest- ness insist on the administration of the last sacred rites and observan- ces of all, that the shrived soul of humanity, may ever be wafted, on