The Washington herald., 1907-08-13
THE oPTIMIsT.


Said wolfgang Won Goethe: Il am
heartily sorry for those persons who are
Aconstantly talking Of the psrishable na-
ture Of things and the nothingness OF
human life: for for this very end We are
here. TO stamp the perishabie with an i'm
I perishable WORTH"
That sentence Is one Of the real mes
sages Of optimism that win ring down The
ages to inspire men and urge them 10
their best efforts. It contains a thought
that D1ust at some time, come 70 every
thinking man. the thought Of to what
end, for what purpose, he is doing his
work in the world. Surely there are few
who are content with the money wages
of the work AS Robert Louis Stevenson
pointed out, II that were all the considera-
ton. why. most men could get more by
stealing. But
Free men freely wcrk:
Whoever fears God fears 70 sit az ease.
Life must perish. we all know that;
much Of what we DO may be lost; we
must be reconciled TO that But how few
Of Us there are who can tell. in the great
scheme of things, what is to survive.
When a man sets his hand to a piece Of
work. can he tell whether it Is 10 be per
ishsble or not? In every moment Of
human existence we may be stamping
things with 'an imperishable worth, ="
may be saying something; thinking, doing
something that shall continue as 4 blessed
or baneful influence long after we are
passed away
It IS well, indeed. for those Of US who
set about our work as if labor were a
curse. TO remember what Ruskin had to
say:
We are not sent into this world to do anything
into which we cannot pst our hearts. We have
certain york 70 do for bread. and that IS 20
BE- done s;renuousy other work 70 90 f0F our de
light. and that is 70 be done heartily; neither Is
% be done ty halves OF shifts. but with 6 wi and
what Is not worth the effort Is not 70 be done al
all
The first command of religion before all
others is the command, Thou shalt
work" and all the record that has been
left upon the world since time began is
the record Of mans work. and OF work
alone. II We bear this thought with rs
constantly Il must help Us nightly in our
duties toward the world, toward our
selves, and toward our fellow man Real
izing this. we must realize also that no
matter IN what humble sphere we are
working, the opportunity is given us to
leave our record. imperishable, constant.
Trite as it may seem, It was this and
this alone the poet meant when be wrote
that we may
Departing leave behind us
Footprints % the sands Of tine.
To determine, once for all that you will
make yourself felt through your work
and man can make himself really felt IN
no other way-is 70 find each morning,
with It's opportunity for labor. a fresh
hope and a fine Inspiration; not 10 work
50 as merely TO get through the day. and
SO 70 rest or frivolity again, but 20 realize,
with Holland. thtt-
To labor rightly and earnestly IS TO walk in the
golden track that leads % God. It is 70 adopt
the regimen e manhood ard wonanhooi Il Is "a
come into sympathy with the great struggle q ha-
msnity toward perfection II Is 20 adopt the feI-
loEship q al The great and sood the world has
ever known.
To know this mood. 10 recognize this
truth IS 70 accept work not as the curse.
but as the primal blessing; the door of
opportunity through which we may all
pass freely and climb. II We will. 10 the
heights beyond. To work not alone for
selfish ends, but that the work may be
good; thinking less Of the wages and most
Of the chance it gives US 10 set q mark
that may be help and inspiration TO
others. Let US Join work and love as
Mrs. Browning did, and with her be abb
20 say.
Beloved. Jet rs lare 50 vel
Our work shsu still Re better for our love
And still our love be sweeter for or wurk
and boih Commended fer the sake Of each,
By al tue wcrzcrs and true lovers born