The Washington herald., 1907-07-18
THE OPTIMIST.

Il was Stevenson who maintained that
we are not put into this world to be
happy but 10 do our work This seems
rather a stole view, for. after all. It is
the happy man who can really do the best
work. And I think It IS our bounden
duty to be happy if we can; not only to
be passively happy over whatever goods
the gods provide, but deliberately 10 seek
happiness. so that we may greet the
worlG with shining morning face" and.
by the radiations OF our own bliss send
out happy smiles that shall make the
world happier for others.
Where lies the road 20 happiness? Who
can say2 Contentment leads TO It. We
know, and love and friendships; in these
singly or in all combined. But it is not
for any one Of US to say: Take that
path. happiness lies yonder"
"Fix'd 70 no spot is happiness sincere,
'Tis nowhere 20 be found, or everywhere"
says Pope.
Part Of the truth seems to be that hap
piness lies within ourselves. Il is within
the compass Of our own powers TO make
ourselves happy or miserable. Old Cot
ton realized this when he wrote:
II solid happiness We prize.
Within our breast this jewel lies,
And they fools who roam;
The world hath nothing 10 bestor-
From our own selves or bliss must flow,
And that dear hut our home"
Does happiness lie in goodness? Any
one with experience Of life will doubt IT,
To be good does not seem 10 be sufficient.
for one is good for some purpose II
may be that one must be good TO stand
well with the world and yet fail of his
expected reward. One may be good 10
stand high in the estimation of one loved.
and the friend may fail US, and-the end
OF that man is worse than the first Old
Nicholas Rowe wrote with confidence
the sublime confidence that afflicted the
poets Of his age:
To be good is TO be happy-Angris
Are happier than mankind. becsHse they're better.
Cunt IS the soHrce q soUow, 'Tis the fend
Th arensing fenf. that follows Us behind
With whips and stings."
But ] rather think that modern phflos-
ophy would disagree with Mr.. Rowe. We
have come to know. perhaps. that even
bad men are not altogether unhappy. and
that even the wretch who robs the widow
and the fatrerless may sit down with
good appetite 10 his meals. and may even
find JOY in fondllng the children of his
hearth.
Too many or Us. I think. turn our back
deliberately on happiness and in a sort OF
ecstasy hug misery TO our breasts-and in
our tears we are not all unhappy
Hence We mzy Learn
That though it b q grand and consly thing
To be unhappy-.and we think il Is
Because so many grand and clever folk
Have found ont reasons for unhappinessJ,
yet since we are not grand
u Is Wcu
For rs % be as happy as We caua'
It IS manifest duty laid upon all Of US
to be- as happy as We can II is 10Y and
mirth and clean and caTe-free laughter
that makes the music accompanying this
sad old earth on its mysterious way. II
is our duty not % allow external cares 10
have their way with US To cast of the
evil things. forget them II we can or
make the best Of them and even in
our greatest sorrow find some modicum
Of good. II is not the outside world that
can bring Us happiness. The cheerful
song that IS 70 make life sweet and beau
utul must rise in our own hearts:
7 opened the doors of my heart.
And behold
There was music within and a sorF
And echoes did feed on the sweetness repeating II
lorF
! opened the doors n nv heart And behold.
IAaFe vas music that played Itself cut in aeoHan
Then vas heard. as faravay bell st long inter
vals tolled