The Washington herald., 1908-02-11
THE OPTIMIST.

lt has ever been the theme OF the poets
and the philosophers-th cry about 'tht
days that are no more" and the sad
looking forward to the ending Of present
joys, and the longings and disappGint-
ments that may come tomorrow. Indeed
the one quotation about tomorrow
that is so trite that every one speaks il
is tomorrow never comes"-trlte. but
not true.
Our cares are all to-day. our joys are an to-day;
/ And n one little word our ie, what is il but
today"
says Tupper in his "Proverbial Philoso-
ply and that IS the general view which
has in it very little of that faith which is
so necessary if we are to live life sanely
and wholly, and which has none of the
optimistic outlook which reaches forward
into the unknown with hope.
The way to regard tomorrow so as to
make the thought a hopeful, cheering one
is to determine that in that unknown
chance and change which comes with the
daWnlng Of another day we shall be
found better prepared TO take advantage
OF our opportunities, less selfish, more
faithful, Insisting on higher ideals. and
able, looking backward, to see that the
step we have taken is one in advance
To regard tomorrow wisely we must use
to-day wisely. and. realizing that the
issue is By no means in our own hands,
be content TO do our part and to leave the
rest 10 God.
Defer NOT tI tomorrow 10 Ie wise
lo-Ino1pHs suH Ou thee may never rise.
nf should to-m0rrsF chance O. ci:cer tbs sight
Mlth her enlseniHg and unlocked for light
HoH grateful viii appear her daWuing rays.
As iaF0Ts unexpected dQuLy please
TT ii We're true that tomorrow never
comes should we not all be fools to
grleye IN anticipation over the sorrows il
may bring? and yet that is what 50
many of as do. We seldom look forward
TO tomorrow In the fine faith that lets
Us know that If we are sorroWful and
gloomy to-day tomorrow may bring a
change for the better. We part from
those We love and the tears rise IN our
I hearts, and the ache I'm the throat is a
vital pain, and because Of our little faith
Il seems that We cannot foOk forward 10
the time-after many to-morrows. per
haps-when we shall be reunited and per
mitted 10 know joy. True optimism
teaches us TO look up out Of the darkness
Of moody thoughts Of the ills that seem
10 press upon Us to-day into the glorious
sunlight Of the days that are to come. II
points us with the finger of faith to
a shining isle in 8 stormy SEA
We seek it ever Virb smiles and sigbs.
To-day Is sad. I'm the fair t0-be.
Serene aud lovely tomorrow lies"
There is only one real evil in thinking
( or tomorrow. II is the evil that is preva-
lent 30 some tropical countries, the evil
which our soldiers when they came "a
take over Cuba laughed at-the "manana'
policy which is content 10 put things of
until tomorrow when they should bs
done to-day. II tomorrow is considered
simply as a makeshlft for to-day. then
indeed. there is little hope in il, for
''Bec.Hgi,e oaavrtioa with delay, and tomorrow is
fatal lie-
Frshreu resolutions into action, tomorrow is
wholesome truth"
II is ln genuine faith that the future
holds store of great good for US that op.
timism fulfills its highest mission. for ir
such faith we may find courage % do
our work; TO express ourselves, live OuI
lives nobly, and in brave cOntent-sure
that az the last the reward which We
/ have deserved shall be ours. SO far or
our voyage through life we have missed
many opportunities. we have made many
mistakes, We have left undone thosf
things which We ought 10 have done.
and 10 is only we ourselves who can re-
cover the lost ground. That is what To-
morrow is for, There waits for US our
work, our j0y-stOrcs Of happiness. pa
tent love that eudureth much. and which
shall reward Us an hundred-fCld for all
our waiting.
20 fair tc-Iu1rrJv. what our souls have missed
Ar thou not keeping for us somewhere stiH
iHe buds ~ promise that have never blown
Tie tender lps that We have never kissed
The song whose high sweet strain eludez or skill
Lle one while Ieafl thst I!fa 18th r.at,r hmm