68 CENTRAL VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
with the need there is for every one to look upon his profession 
as he would upon religion—as something too sacred to neglect or 
be indifferent about. In labouring to become a proficient in it, the 
student is unconsciously, perhaps, elevating his own mind, and in 
doing so is achieving the highest duty he can towards himself; 
while he is adding his mite to the increase of human knowledge, 
is serving his country in a most beneficial manner, is diminishing 
pain and suffering, and conferring dignity upon his science. 
Besides, in the words of the great philosopher Carlyle, we must 
remember that “ there is a perennial nobleness and even sacred¬ 
ness in w r ork. Were he ever so benighted, or forgetful of his 
high calling, there is always hope in a man that actually and 
earnestly works; in idleness alone is there perpetual despair. 
Consider how, even in the meanest sorts of labour, the whole soul 
of a man is composed into real harmony. He bends himself with 
free valour against his task, and doubt, desire, sorrows, remorse, 
indignation, despair itself, shrink, murmuring, far off into their 
caves. The glow of labour in him is a purifying fire, wherein all 
poison is burnt up; and of smoke itself, there is made a bright 
and blessed flame. Blessed is he who has found his work; let 
him ask no other blessedness; he has a life purpose. Labour is 
life. From the heart of the worker rises the celestial force, 
breathed into him by Almighty God, awakening him to all noble¬ 
ness, to all knowledge. Hast thou valued patience, courage, 
openness to light, or readiness to own thy mistakes ? In wrest¬ 
ling with the dire brute powers of fact, thou wilt continually 
learn. For every noble work the possibilities are diffused through 
immensity, undiscoverable except by faith. Man, son of heaven ! 
is there not in thine inmost heart a spirit of active method, giving 
thee no rest till thou unfold it ? Complain not. Look up, wearied 
brother. See thy fellow-workmen surviving through eternity, the 
sacred band of immortals.” 
Gentlemen, let us conduct our business in the same spirit and 
in the same orderly manner which have marked our proceed¬ 
ings during the past year; let us aid each other to the best of 
our ability, and cultivate a generous forbearance from argument 
for argument's sake only. But let me not be thought for a 
moment to be opposed to argument, when the elucidation of 
truth is concerned, or when benefit to each Fellow is likely to 
accrue. On the contrary, by discussion and argument we must 
mainly rely for these advantages which are to be derived from our 
meetings. Milton tersely writes :—“ Where there is much desire 
to learn, there will of necessity be much arguing, much writing, 
many opinions—for opinions in good men are but knowledge in 
the making.” 
I have now only to thank you all for your kind and fraternal 
