Page:Introductory lecture delivered in the Adelaide Hospital, Dublin, at the commencement of the clinical course, October 31, 1864 (IA b21916433).pdf/24

24 bated breath, ought the other members of the household to stand by, and pause till the chastisement is over, and the offender restored to favour. There is, to my mind, great beauty in that passage of St. Paul, where, speaking of an erring brother, he says—"Ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself lest thou also be tempted." Considering thyself. Do we think enough, as we pass from bed to bed, that we are ourselves partakers of the same mortality, and that in due time we shall be called to take our places in the sick room, and on the bed of death? My young friends, let this thought lead you to avoid all levity of conduct in your intercourse with the sick; let it produce in you greater tenderness of manner, greater sympathy for their sufferings, and greater forbearance towards their infirmities. The time cannot be far off when you will need all these things yourselves. My friends, the service you have entered on is like the forlorn hope of a besieging army. It exposes you to greater dangers than fills to the lot of other young men of your own age. You are more liable to sickness—more liable to death. Have you considered the consequences? Are you prepared for the risk? Nothing but true religion can make you so. But this, whatever opinion you may have hitherto formed regarding it, will not only enable you to look forward to the last great conflict without apprehension, but will greatly enhance your happiness during life. It will make yon more devoted to your profession, will inspire you with fresh motives for its cultivation, supply you with encouragement under difficulties, and will recompense you in the end with a better reward than you can possibly have without it.