Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-03
No. M ~
|

are told that we can be wheat we wish: the
trouble is that 1t is only to some OF us
that 1t comes to wish well. By beginning
the service we can develop the wish
We are told that the thing asked for can
not fall short of the prayer, but we cannot
make our prayers adequate. BY beginning
of accomplishment. We cannot pray until
We have accomplished. The power to wor-
ship is result. not a beginning. Wor-
ship is thankfulness for past services
Prayer Is the instructive calling upon the
great whole to stand by US. while we do our
part in the work for development.
All this comes in more than proportion
ate measure after every effort. II We carr
would undertake, the beginning the work
will bring the inspiration. II our feeling
is only lukewarm and hardhearted about
helping somebody. the most commonplace
beginning in this direction will bring the
divine eagerness to do more.
We cannot always pray. but we can al
ways do things" and 1t Is the COM
pound interest in hopefulness. inspiration.
on every willing effort In which lies the
spiritual life.
It
Will only take time and the gradual process
of development for you to become a con-
noisseur in art If you are only true to
what pleases you and are not turned aside
by the views of others.
1t Is the fear of making mistake and
trying to keep within the guide lines laid
down by other people, by which is lost all
power of discrimination. The following the
instinct for what Is pleasing is the foun-
dation of all art criticisms and study of
what others say is only useful as it de-
velops the student by directing the eye to
what he can really conceive to be beau
tiful.
If the orchestra at the opera plays in
way which strikes you being particularly
pleasing, don't be afraid to enjoy 1t be-
cause the theater orchestra always is ira
duced You probably will read the next
day something by the most undoubted mu-
steal expert which says it to have been ex-
ceptional- and especially fine.
When you see some beautiful bit of form
and color which just appeals to you, don't
think that 1t is worthless because the frieni
with you who is used to luxurious things
passes on 1t and sees nothing in it. She
may be guided entirely by prestige, ana
her knowledge may be only skill in keeping
track of what has been Endorsed, while II
you inquire into its genre you are apt to
find that your admiration has not been mis-
placed
At least the power that you have within
you for the recognition of what seems TO
you beautiful is the beginning of the dis-
elimination which Is the best of criticism.
That which attracts as beautiful, and
upon which the eye fingers with an unnis-
taxable impulse for the mind to focus itself
there as well, is the object lesson with
which the ordinary person. can teach himself
the knowledge of art This sense, cult
waited becomes the unfailing sign by
which you may know what is good artis-
tically If it happens to be picture you
feel it because life has been put in 1t. If
it Is a building it is because 1t is archi-
lecture. If it is a piece of sculpture it has
beauty or strength. If 1t is fragment
YOU read 1t is because it is literature. With
them all it is because it is art
GRACE RILEY CLARKE.