NON NOIilS SOLUM. 
507 
atmosphere retards the skyward eagle. You must be instituted 
in the same discipline and still reared in fellowship and commu¬ 
nion with the wisest and best of men. Remember that to-day 
you commence your professional careers. Your diplomas do not 
attest that you have exhausted all of the varied stores of learning. 
We never can complete our education. New truths glide before 
us in every rolling star, and sparkle in every drop of dew. The 
diploma is no testimonial of perfect efficiency, but it is rather the 
attestation that you have laid a foundation upon which you ex¬ 
pect to build a superstructure of ampler knowledge. You must 
now investigate more thoroughly for yourselves ; there is no sym¬ 
pathetic professor at yonr side, to admonish, caution and relieve. 
Remember that your diplomas, more honored than the star and 
garter, proclaim you to Christendom the friend, the protector and 
guardian of those who cannot speak for themselves. Your duties 
are responsible, honorable and sacred. As I have intimated, none 
of the golden sands of Pactolus may lift you to opulence, nor 
will, perhaps, the trump of fame proclaim your names from the 
house-tops, nor may they be spoken by the eloquent lip or sounded 
by the glorious lyre. You may not obtain the marble statue or 
the trophied urn, but a greater and diviner guerdeon will come to 
soften the asperities of this life and the crowned blessings of the 
life to come. “ For inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the 
least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” 
Perseverance in diligence, continuance of an education begun 
rather than forgetfulness of its primary stage, a gathering of well 
ripened fruit from a tree, the young fruit-tree which you have 
just planted, rather than an effort to graft what others shall grow 
upon you, an effort quite sure to stunt and blight it: be these 
your practice, course and aim. No degree of intelligence, skill 
nor kindness can be too high to be of use in your profession, and 
intelligence, skill and kindness are all sure to be found capable of 
growth as long as men are assiduous to make them grow. 
As you go forth a graduating class from this institution, be it 
with a resolution that kindness as well as skill shall distinguish 
you in your calling. So shall you act a principal part in helping 
to make the world blossom like a rose. If any seek to belittle 
