The Washington herald., 1907-11-05
THE OPTIMIST

Perhaps there is no virtue quite 50 neces-
sary to the thoughtful. optimistic view OF
life and It's joys as well as its sorrows. as
courage. II takes courage OF the very
highest order 70 carry through the bust
ness Of this life deeently and without
whining La RochefOucauld says that
THE man who has never been in danger
cannot answer for his courage" but this.
Of course. refers only 10 that species OF
animal courage which enables a man s
legs 10 carry his palpitating heart right
up to the mouth Of the guns. Danger.
There is more danger than that which is
faced on the battlefield; than that whieh
threatens US bodily harm Are We not
running into danger every moment Of our
lives? II We would live our lives un-
ashamed and unafraid we need sOrely a
large stock Of that higher moral courage
that will enable us 10 encounter, un2wed,
loss Of ease. Of wealth, of friends, Of
love, OF our good name; the courage that
Will help us bear with stout heart the
scorns, the hate Of the world; which lets
US greet these things with a smile and
allows US calmly to look forward 10 the
promised end; to keep on toiling; 10 keep
on loving; 10 do. honestly. our work In
the world-fearless 10 the end.
love that speech Of old Adam Bede:
Il like 10 read about Moses best in III Old Testa-
ment. He carried a hard business well through and
died when other folks going 10 reap the fruit,
a man must have courage % look after his life %.
and think whatl come of It after he's dead and
gone"
There is no gift TO the human spirit
SO divine as courage. Without IL who IS
there would set about the task OF build
ing house. Of writing a novel, Of paint
ing a picture2 The coward, thinking
timorously of the awful uncertainty Of
life will scarce pluck up enough spirit
to lay the foundation stone OF his house.
or put pen TO paper 10 write down his
Chapter l." and life, reckoned with In
such a petty spirit is soon seen 10 be scarce
worth the enduring. No, II We are 10
be Of use 10 the world, TO our fellow
men, and 10 ourselves, we must have
our hearts filled with courage
Courage. the highest gift. that soorns 10 bend
To mean device for 4 s0rdid end
Courage an independent spark from Heavens bright
By which the soul stands rassd. triumphant, high.
alone
To stand alone, That indeed takes the
highest quality Of courage. To be sure
that one is working IN a good cause and
I'm the right direction. 70 feel certain In
ones soul that the work is being done
unselfshly, and then. even If misunder-
stood and G-cried. earning no applause.
standing aIOne-to go bravely on the ap-
pointed way. That takes courage Of the
right SORT
The grave man seeks a0t popular applause.
Nor oTerf8vered with arms deserts Lis cause.
Unsham'd though f0lsd De does the best be can.
Force Is q b-utes. but honor is Of man.
as Dryden wrote Armed with courage
Of this sort the spirit that is in a man
can not be hurt or lamed by external
things. IL enables him TO shake them Of
as raiment that II is not nj for him %
wear
Hes truly valiant that can wisely suffer
The worst that man can breathe.
And make his wrongs his 0ucziLes.
To wear them like his raiment carelessly;
And ne'er prefer his INJURIES % lis heart
To bring u into danger.
II we cultivate this quality Of spiritual
courage. we shall find that as in every
other circumstance Of life dangers op-
posed will hy from Us. Have We a par
ticular weakness. a temptation. a sin that
sometimes afrights u.s. Don't let US run
or hide ourselves away from il. but raJh-
or let Us seek il IN its haunts. front IL
boldly, face IL down: deny II access 10
our souls. What Joy 70 feel that having
fought and conquered, we are dominated
no longer
How then II we fail? Courage. always
courage. and then more courage OF
course we shall fail. No one ever wins
all his battles Still must We take heart
Of grace and fight braveiy on
"Oh fear not in a world Ike this,
And thou shalt know eIel0ns.
Know how sublime thing u is
To suffer and b. strong"
And let US not deem that our suffering
and our enduring bravely shall be all in
vain. Each effort that we make 70 live
life bravely sends a helpful impulse out
into the world and sets a fair example for
our fellowmen- AS Mrs. Browning set Il
down.
What are We set on earth for9 say % toll;
Nor seek to leave thy Tending n the vines
For an the heat o. the d1y TIE it declines.
And Deaths mild curfew shall from Work assoI-
God did an0iuJ thee with his odcrUus oil.
To wrestle, not % reign and He assigns
All thy tears over. like pure cryStallinCs.
For younger fell1w-workers Of the soil
To wear fcr anulcts- 50 others shall
Take patience labor 90 their heart and band
From thy hand and thy heart and thy b.aye cheer
And Gods grace fructify through thee 90 al