The Washington herald., 1907-11-28
THE OPTIMIST.


Optimism is. OF course. but another
word for aspiration. To be optimistic Is
TO live a life Of hopefulness; il is 10 have
learned the lesson that IL is wise 10 be
content with little; to look forward. not
back; up. not down and TO realize the
virtue Of humility TO the unthlHking II
would probably seem that nothing is
much easier on earth than TO reach q
state OF humiiity-surely none of us have
lived 50 well or have done our duty 50
truly that. looking back. we can be proud
OF ourselves. And yet true humility. as
Cardinal Newman pointed out. is one OF
the most difficult Of virtues both TO at
tain and to ascertain.
II lies close upon the heart itself and its
tests are exceedingly delicate and subtle.
Ny favored temple IS an humble heart
says Bailey. Ancient civilization had lit
tie or no idea Of humility. and had no
word to express il; or. rather. II had the
idea, and considered il a defect Of mind.
not a virtue, so that the word which de-
noted II conveyed a reprOach. As New
man says. Humility or cOndecensiOn,
viewed as virtue Of conduct. may be
said 10 consist. as IN other things, so in
placing ourselves In our thoughts on a
level with OuS interiors: il Is not only q
voluntary REIMBURSEMENT of the privileges
Of our own station. but an actual partici-
patton or assumption OF the condition OF
those 10 whom we stoop. This is true
humility. To feel and 10 behave as If we
were low. not TO cherish a notion Of Ou1
own importance. while We affect a Low
position" He recognized. you see. that
rfrfN
virtue 70 attain, il is one OF the easiest
to act, to put on ike a borrowed garb; e
lie 20 ourselves about.
When St Paul in his true humility
called himself the least Of the saints. 81
we are forced 20 believe that this was not
his pose; il was the actual result Of his
mental and spiritual insight into his OWL
character. cOntrasted with the character
he fain would have been. As Hazltt. in
his Table Talk says: NO really great
man ever thought himself so. The idea
OF 2rratness in the mind answers but III
20 orr knc edge. or To our ignorance OF
ours .-rF nd 81 is equally true that he
who cone 1is own idea Of great
ne-s -. lave had a very low
stasJrr' 0- mind
uiIity. a.. low. sweet root
Prom which al heavenly virtues shoot
is the song Moore sings about: thus virtue
IS in very truth. the basis Of all virtues.
II is the proud. seIf-cOntained so-called
independent man that is IN danger Of sin
ming in his pride The truly humble man
thankful for little. striving hard, hoping
for much. viii find his humility OF spirit
an almost invulnerablc shield guarding
him against the grossness. the bitterness
and the evil OF the world
is 10 remember LongfellOw'S saying.
Truly. this world can go on without US
il We would but think So" And the
faults into which the best Of Us some
times falI and which humble US 10 the
dust are Of much more value 10 our
souls than those good and righteous ac-
tions which pun us up with pride
But 10 be humble is not 20 stay content
vita being low. though
"Lovliuess Is the vase Of every yir1ue-
And he Who goes the lowest, builds ths safest,
But 10 think thus IS 10 hold life al a
towards terms, Il is all very weu Tor
Christina ROsetu TO sing.
GIVE ne the lowest place or = for me
The lowest place TOO high make one more low
Where ] may SIT and see
My God and love Thee So.
But that is 10 turn a virtue into a fault
Let US be lowly. but strive for great
things; humble. be always ready 20 take
our place upon the firing line Not for us
% be content with our powers half used
our talents lying IDLE: our souls cramped
FOR want Of room. With all proper hui
mility and charity Of spirit let US fight
hfes battles bravely: BY our own exer-
tons lift ourselves from the lowlands 70
the heights, and by our work. as well as
by our faith. win closer TO the goal