SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
571 
obvious, while the latter must have the duties better defined 
and its efforts concentrated before it can accomplish ma¬ 
terial good. During my term of office this fact has been 
brought to my attention quite forcibly by similar ideas sug¬ 
gested by various members. I believe certain members of 
these committees will have something to say along this line, 
and I need not discuss the matter further in this connection. 
No feature of these annual meetings is more attractive nor 
more beneficial than the opportunity which they offer for the 
enjoyment of social intercourse between congenial spirits. The 
chance acquaintance of long ago has each year grown into a 
closer and warmer friendship, until at last, on the day preced¬ 
ing the meeting, we watch and long for the old familiar face 
which we have learned to love in the years gone by. If per¬ 
chance the expected one fails to appear and we know that he is 
only temporarily detained but will join us at the next and per- . 
haps many subsequent meetings, the disappointment may be 
sharp, but the hearty hand-clasp and warm greeting of another 
dissipates the sadness and cheers the heart, as only the feelings 
of true friendship can cheer it. But when cruel and relentless 
death has thrown its dark pall between us and some dear friend, 
and we gather to miss his genial presence and are reminded 
that the chief among our friends will never again join us in 
these councils where his wisdom is so much needed, that we 
shall never again enjoy that companionship which was so much 
prized, yea, that the brother we loved is no more forever, we are 
truly sad and the heartache cannot be soothed. There is a void 
which can never be filled. Other friendships, perhaps just as 
warm, may and will be made, but the place left vacant forever 
remains the same. 
During the past year several worthy members of this associ¬ 
ation have been lost to us through the grim harvester Death. 
Among these were two who had been especially honored by 
election to the presidency. The one, ripe in years, largely de¬ 
voted to the advancement of the profession, few of you here 
assembled knew personally, but the other, in the fullness of his 
vigorous manhood and the geniality of his noble presence, was 
known to all. And in this case it may be truly said that to 
know was to love. I refer to our late friend and brother Dr. 
Albert W. Clement. I cannot allow this fitting opportunity to 
pass without paying my humble tribute to his memory. I 
shall always fondly cherish the memory of a friendship which 
was one of the first made amone the members of this associa- 
