The Washington herald., 1908-04-18
THE oPTIMIST

This is the time Of year TO put the So
called nature takers 10 scorn. The spring
burst upon US as it has within the last
few days and the book of nature is open
10 US with all its world-compeiling
secrets that he who runs may read There
Is such d fine and glorious inspiration in
these days Of promise and fairness and
exceeding JOY. We seem to see In all
the growing things about as simply a
manifestation Of the recurring laws Of
nature. but as Carlyle says
We speak Of the Volume Of Nature: and truly a
volume il is-whose author and writer is lsoa To
read i'll Dost thou. does man. 50 much as weT Know
the alphabet thereof! Il is g volume written in
celestial herogyphs, in the true and saSred writing
Of which eyen prophets hapUy that they can
read here line and there a line
One Of the most persistent and the
grandest Of human feelings has always
been q love OF nature The oldest litera-
ture we know is imbned with it, and the
oldest memorials that were erected in
those centuries past took large account
OF natures beauties and of the influence
of those beauties on the destiny of man.
There Is a reason for this, OF course, for
Mother Nature has always a bosom for
the tired head she has a voice that
speaks In the most beautiful language
known to the world to the man that is
oppressed and downtredden, and, as
Wordsworth so beautifully puts tt
Nature never did betray
The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege
Through ell the years q this or life. 10 lead
From ioy to jog: for she can 80 imprsss
With quetness and beauty. and so feed
With lofty thoughts. that neither evil tongues,
Nor ali the dreafy intercourse Of daily life,
Shall eer prevail against us, OF disturb
Our cheerful faith that all which we behold
Is iull Of blessings.
That Is the reason why spring is es-
sentially the time for optimism and hope,
for il is the time Of unconscious as well
as conscious worship, for the woods and
the open spaces OF green are the true
temples after all. for there the thoughts
ara free 10 mount higher even than the
clouds
It is not that Nature. even in her most
smiling OF most promising mood. can
ever satisfy the heart and soul Of man.
ii that were So then man would never
have risen higher than the mere shepherd
who was, they say the first true poet.
Eat II is from the emulation OF nature
emulation which is best exemplified at
this time of the year when every blade
of grass and every bud upon the tree is
striving to fulfill itself-that man has
learned that he, too, has a duty set upon
him. and that as after a period OF rest
and winter slumber the forces Of nature
return TO their duties revived and
strengthened. so must he, feeling the in
spifation of the new winds upon his
cheeks. the scent Of the new buds IN his
nostrllg. and the glory Of the seemingly
newborn world about him, go forward
TO his work with the spring spirit in his
heart
Not long can Nature satisfy the mind.
Nor outward fauces feed its inner fame:
We feel a growing want re cannot name
Aud leHg for something sweet, but undshued.
Tie wants oi Beauty ether wants create,
Which overflow on others soon o. late;
Fer al that worship thee must ease the heart
OF Love, or song oF Art
Difinest Melancholy Nslks with thee,
And Music with her sister Poesy;
ButsOn tly breast Love lies immortal child
Begot C thine own l0Hgings. deep and Wild.