The Washington herald., 1907-08-31
THE OPTIMIST.

To consider optimism simply IN its re-
lations 70 ones self is 10 be too narrow
and self-centered to make the optimism
genuine. 1ptilslsEzn is something more
than state OF mind or a condition OF
the heart; IT is a dynamic force whose
radiCtiOns are unbounded, so far-reaching
that one may not hope to follow them.
All influence Is so. and optimism is an
influence, benign, health-giving. and pow
erfGl for good.
Said DR.. Johnson:
Neither virtues nor our vices are all cur own q"
We are all subject to the influences
around as, and every thought which is
thrown of into the world alters it by so
much. We cannot think evil without dis
tributing an evil influence. and II our
thoughts are hopefully fixed on high
ideals, we are bound to radiate an infiu-
enee that viii lead 70 high ambitions.
lofty strivings. and aiming at great ends
Said Tennyson:
I a part of all that have met. d"
it or not the influences which surround
US are bound TO have subtle, but no less
strong effect upon our characters.
- No life
Can be pure in its purpose and strong IN It's strife
And all life not be purer and stronger thereby
wrote owen Meredith; and wise old
Plutarch told US that those who wish
to lead a good life ought to have genuine
friends or real enemies; for the former
deferred you from what was wrong by
reproof. and the latter by abuse"
Longfellow. in The Arrow and the
Song" sang the parable of influence:
Il breathsd q song into tie air;
Il fell 20 earth. ] knew not where;
For who has sight 50 keen and strong.
That it can follow the fight Of song?
And the song, from beginning to end,
found again Ia the heart Of friend. -
We all recognize how vital AID far
the influence they have exerted goes on
and on long years after they have passed
away As Samuel Smiles said: The
career Of a great man remains an endur-
ing monument Of human energy. The
man dies and disappears, but his thoughts
and acts survive. and leave an indelible
stamp upon his race" So much for the
dead But what about the living infu-
ence? Il is around US all the time and il
Is partly within our power 10 reject il OF
accept IT, Once We come 10 recognize
l how important 10 our own conduct aTC
the influences that surround Us, il is pos
/ sible for Us, in a certain degree at least
/ 70 avoid the 81 and seek out the good
/ Lew Wallace wrote:
The smallest bird cannot alight upon the greates
I tree without sending a shock 10 IFS most distant
fiber; every mind Is az times no less sensitive e
/ the most rihing words
! H. then, we are so subject 10 the in
/ fuences Of other men and other minds
/ let US who have the optimistic faith tha
! leads US to work as well as faith. beal
in mind that we possess an infuenc'
which. for good or ILL., according 10 our
/ selves, is acting on the world and OF
our feilow-men. No influence is so Sigh
but that it may help, # it is used in tn
right direction. Even the most humbl,
man may help God in the great work o
/ sending this scared old world more hope
/ fully upon its way, Remember the olI
violin maker:
My work is mine
And heTesy OF not if ms hand Stacked
/ I should rob GO3-sincc He Is fullest good.
God needs best men 70 help him. He eoald not max
Antonio StradiTari's VioliHs without Antonio