A lecture, introductory to the course of instruction in the Medical Institution of Yale College, delivered Nov. 2, 1838 / by Jonathan Knight.

  • Jonathan Knight
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture, introductory to the course of instruction in the Medical Institution of Yale College, delivered Nov. 2, 1838 / by Jonathan Knight. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    25/28 (page 25)
    His life while here was one of usefulness and honorable exer¬ tion. Assiduous and kind in his attendance on the sick, punctual to all his engagements, resigned under many afflictions, cheerful and instructive in his conversation,« affectionate to his family and familiar friends, and just to all men, he gained the respect and confidence of the wise and the good. Dr. Hubbard was through life an upright and virtuous man. During the last years of his life, he thought much upon religious subjects, and his refiections, as we have reason to believe, under the Divine guidance, led him to embrace the truth and the faith of the gospel. This faith he professed by joining himself to the communion of the Episcopal Church in this city. He died June 18, 1838, of a disease of the stomach and bowels, of which he had previously suffered several severe attacks. And now, gentlemen, having, as minutely as was consistent with the time allotted me, given you a brief account of these emi¬ nent men, it may be useful to ascertain what were the elements of their prosperity; and how it was that they became so strong in the affections, the respect, and the confidence of their fellow men. Differing from each other as they did in many points of their char¬ acter, there may still be some traits belonging in common to them all, which may serve as an example and guide to your future life. I remark in regard to them all, that they were entirely devoted to their profession. Other cares might press upon them as they do upon all men, other occupations might employ their hours of relaxation, but to their profession, to its study, and to the per¬ formance of its engrossing, active duties, all their best thoughts, and their strongest energies, were directed. So it must be with every one who aspires to their standard of excellence. The phy¬ sician whose mind is drawn away from his profession by the al¬ lurements of pleasure, the engrossing desire of political distinction, or the greedy purstiit of wealth, cannot hope to excel in it; and surely there is enough in the study of its various branches, and in the great and almost overwhelming responsibility of its duties, to task the brightest intellect, and in the rich rewards of private af¬ fection and of public respect and confidence, to gratify the best feelings of our nature. 4