IS 
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
have spoken; who must have the choice of accepting or refus- 
ing the offers of the College to guarantee your attainments; let 
me beg you to determine this day not to reject the offer. Let 
this day witness the establishment of a new era in the history 
of the College, which is to be characterised by the resolution 
of each one of you, to become a candidate for the degree, when 
you shall have fulfilled the conditions which entitle you to 
apply for it. If such a resolution be adopted by each of you for 
himself, with a steady purpose to adhere to it, the stimulus thus 
given to exertion will put into your power the means which 
will enable you to reach the destined goal. How great is the va- 
lue which should be placed upon the diploma by those who 
do obtain it, has been somewhat exhibited by the strong 
terms in which a want of it has been represented. It cannot, 
therefore, be needed, that an extended argument should be 
spread before you to display all the advantages, and set forth 
all the benefits which may be expected to be derived from its 
possession. The necessity for a diploma in the hands of him 
who would seek further preferment, who would soar to the 
highest regions of professional rank, has been shown to be in- 
dispensable ; and that the gratification of an honorable ambi- 
tion in securing this means of elevation is not of doubtful mo- 
rality, is evidenced by the establishment of it by universal 
consent, and by those who have been appointed to conduct 
your education and promote your welfare. But, independ- 
ently of this view in which we have regarded it, and which 
may be thought as far beyond the reach to which any of you 
aspire, consider the value of a diploma to one who seeks, in 
the quiet of private life, the discharge of the ordinary duties 
of his profession. Regarded merely as a testimony of the ap- 
probation of your instructors, and the evidence to yourselves 
that your studies have been pursued with advantage, resulting 
in solid attainment, an evidence, by no means so easily and 
certainly obtained as by an examination by others, its posses- 
sion is eminently deserving of your efforts. This, perhaps, is 
one great incitement with some, and justly so. To him who 
is diffident of his abilities, and doubtful of his preparation for 
