80 APPENDIX. 



veloped. About tliat period occurred an event, whicli 

 called forth the ruling passion, and decided his fate. 

 This event was the battle of Germantown, in the year 

 1777. His religious principles kept him out of battlcj 

 but his humanity led him to seek the wounded sol- 

 dier, and he was active in assisting those who were 

 administering relief. His benevolent heart was af- 

 fected by their sufferings ; and so deeply was he 

 struck with the happy effects of the medical art, that 

 he determined to devote his life to a profession form- 

 ed to alleviate the miseries of mankind. Conquerors 

 and heroes — ye who delight in the shout of battle, 

 and exult in the crimson field of victory, contemplate 

 the feelings of this young man, and blush at the con- 

 trast ! But let us adore the mercy of God, whose 

 mysterious Providence produces good from evil. 

 From the decay of matter, springs up the green 

 herb and the purple flower. From the disasters of 

 Germantown, arises a youth, destined to bind up the 

 wounds of many, and to send forth from his instruc- 

 tive school, thousands of hands, to open the fountains 

 of health throughout the land. 



Firm in his purpose, Wistar applied himself to tlio 

 study of medicine, under Docctor John lledmau, 

 a very respectable physician of this city, formerly 

 President of the College of Physicians, with whom 



