94 THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 



ent in the one, no less plainly than the lack of it in the other. The 

 present not only in America, but elsewhere all over the world of men, 

 is a time, more almost, than any that has preceded it, of social and 

 political unrest; of the scrutiny and questioning of standards alike 

 of manners and of morals, of religion, of education, and of art. And 

 in it all, and, as its prevailing characteristic, is the spirit of change 

 and often as if the old, because it is old, should be cast aside, and the 

 new because it is new, should be unhesitatingly put in its place. True 

 progress — progress in the direction of greater truth — is an end and 

 aim of human living, but all change is not necessarily progress, and 

 frequently enough it is nothing at all but a step backward and down- 

 ward that leads unmistakeably to disintegration and decay. Because 

 of their very persistence, the old standards of life and living are 

 worthy of respect ; for the truth that they contain is the only thing 

 that in the long run has upheld them. A true conservatism in the 

 matter of your beliefs is the only attitude that it is safe to assume and 

 to maintain. Not that obstinate and wrongheaded conservatism of 

 the fable's Scotchman who said that he was open to conviction, but 

 he would like to see the man who could convince him, but a broad- 

 minded conservatism that clings to the old and tried so long as the 

 truth is not convincingly at hand in the new. And if this is the atti- 

 tude to take toward your beliefs, so it is also the attitude to take 

 toward your disbeliefs for one is like the other — it is either true or 

 false, and which it is should determine the direction of present and 

 future action. Do not, however, hide your disbeliefs, any more than 

 your beliefs, under a bushel, for they both belong out in the light of 

 day to be seen by all men. Whether they be great or small, a creed, 

 a party, or a nostrum, they are all alike in this, that your belief or 

 your disbelief should stamp them plainly for what to your eyes in 

 very truth they are. 



And what of the profession that you have chosen for the principal 

 activity of life and its most immediate interest? Almost as no other, 

 it has its truths to discern and to follow and its untruths to uncover 

 and to avoid. Yours is a profession that is peculiarly important in 

 that it is so closely concerned with the public health, which is so 

 much the public happiness and well being. Consider '> seriously, as 

 its importance warrants, view it progressively, but with a due respect 

 for the experience of others who have preceded you in its practice ; 

 follow the truth that is in it for its own sake and for yours, bearing 



