It gives me great pleasure to be present on this auspicious occasion and to have some honoured part in the exercises of this historic hour. I congratulate those who are to receive diplomas to-day and be accredited as competent. persons to practice the "healing art" in this ancient Empire of China. In many respects this will ever remain the greatest day in all your histories—the day when you formally and solemnly enter upon Your life-work.
T congratulate you also because on this day of your graduation we are honoured with the presence of His Excellency, the Governor of the Province, the Honourable Provincial Treasurer, the Honourable Chief Justice, the Honourable Commissioner of Customs and the Honourable Consular representative of the great Empire of Japan, and other distinguished guests. Their presence is ample assurance of their intelligent and appre-dative interest in the educational development of the Empire, and in that honoured profession which is devoted to the relief of human suffering and the preservation of human life. In your name, and in behalf of the Faculty of this Medical College, I wish to thank His Excellency, especially, for his kindness in comin, The Governor of more than ten millions of people, a scholar of approved learning, a progress statesman of renown, with the full confidence of the Imperial Government, he is interested in everything that promises benefit to his people, and by his presence to-day shows that he is in sympathy with the broadest and best educational methods.
It is now the consensus of the world's wisest thought, that the strength of nations, as of individuals, is in the character and measure of their education. A country is just as great as its great men. And men are great in proportion to their loaming and wisdom. Knowledge is power, in whatever hands it may be intrusted. In the hands of the good, it is a power for good; in the hands of the bad a tremendous power for evil. It is all-important, therefore, that a nation be concerned for the character as well as the extent of the education provided for the people. The best education is that which trains the heart as well as the head—the moral and spiritual faculties as well as the mental.
I congratulate these young graduates in having chosen the medical profession for their life-work. Tt is at once an honourable business and a noble calling. The story of this great profession makes one of the brightest chapters in the history of human benevolence. Its holy mission is to answer the ery of suffering humanity, assuage human sorrow, relieve pain, prevent and cure disease and prolong human life. Already the average length of life lias' been increased by the achievements of medical science, and much of human agony has been prevented or relieved by the skill of physicians beloved.
Only those should adopt the profession who are men and women of solid character as well as sound learning. Physicians come into the closest and tenderest rela~ tions of life. Their position is one of holiest confidence. Our family physician, more than anyone else, is necessarily acquainted with the most sacred secrets of the heart and home, Of these things there should never be the slightest me1 tion. A betrayer of the confidence of thio sick-room is unworthy of a place in the ranks of this noble profession.
I congratulate you young friends to-day in winning diplomas irom this College which has already made an honourable history in China. The graduates of this institution have taken high rank in their profession and have become influential Gitizens in their several communities. May each of you be worthy of such noble fellowship. I wish for you the greatest possible success in life, and that by your eminent worth and professional skill, you may reflect honour upon this Medical College and the instructors who have laboured so faithfully to fit you for the distinguished privileges of this hour.
His Excellency, the Governor, will now present you the diplomas with a word of commendation.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.