The Washington herald., 1907-07-26
THE oPTIMIsT.

Perhaps the hardest time to be hopeful
Is when reverses come to US; when our
well laid plans have failed and we are up
against" the dead wall Of defeat And yet
that Is the very time when the optimistic
viewpoint will bring us the greatest COM
fort and relief Adversely often comes as
blessing in disguise: shows us our own
powers, reveals to US abilities which,
never before used, become helpful to us
forever after. AS matter of fact, 1t is a
poor wretch indeed who cannot win his
way upward IN spite of adversely. Car
lyle said truly: "Adversjty is sometimes
hard upon a man; but for one man who
can stand prosperity there are hundred
that will stand adversely" Man is a nat
ural fighter; adversely is a good enemy to
wage battle with. Prosperity, on the
other hand. is a siren that lures a man
away from manhood; engenders selfish
ness; robs US OF the incentive to struggle,
deprives US of aspiration and the larger
hope. Since the earliest times adversely
has been recognized as the best school for
manhood. It was the philosopher Seneca
VIM NtNi-4ANu AAa1t NJ tat lllEi OAAfll lE-
joice at crosses Of fortune, just as brave
soldiers do AT wars" and it is easy TO see
why it should be So
II walking placidly and calmly down the
path of life man can hold himself up
right and straight, he deserves some
credit. for we are all prone to Ill. But it
is greater far that in spite of the buffets
Of the adverse winds, the rocky road the
perilous streams. he still can keep his face
toward the goal.
How can he know that he has that
power in him unless along the path he
meets adversely?
The good are better made by III.
As 0dOrs crushed are better still"
AS Rogers wrote and the simile IS q
good one. 1t needs, often. the crushing
and bruising Of Ill fortune to bring out in
all its fragrance the good that is in the
human heart and soul
Affection is the good mans shining scene;
Prosperity concesls his brightest rays;
As night TO stars. woe lusteT gives 10 man.
The man that cannot stand up under
the crosses Of adversely Is not fitted 90
wage battle IN a world where sorrow out
weighs JOY. 1t is seldom, indeed, that We
can avert it, a Thousand things outside
Of ourselves may bring us to the brink Of
trouble. II we regard life healthfully we
shall not be afraid. but, taking our cour-
age in our hands. shall fare bravely on
10 find if we fight hard enough and with
true optimistic faith, the good that lies
on the farther shore.
The optimist. then. will look at ad-
tune, but as a great good that has come
TO him. He will know that in his own
suffering he is to learn how to appreciate
and sympathize with the sufTerings OF
others Deprived Of some of the best Of
natures gifts. - -lFill learn thus TO love
them and appreciate theia better when
they return to him again. He will come
to see that, though the clouds lower, the
sun is hid but for a little space. and that
its shining will be brighter because OF the
hours Of darkness. Il is a fine thing 10
be able to feel Ike Browning's "One who
never turned his back. but marched
straightforward" and true optimism will
help Us 10 such a condition. Il will Go
more; Ii will help us not only to seek for
the good in the troubles that beset US.
but 70 see that the trouble itself is good.
so that in very truth We may say:
"Sweet are the uses Of adversely.
Which like the tosd. ugly and Tenouous
Wears yet Precious jewel III his head:
And this cur life. exempt from public haunt
Finds tongues in trees. books IN the running brooks
sermons IN stones, and good IN everything"