The Washington herald., 1909-06-20
BY THE oPTIsusT.

DSaA AtiiON-OlllIQlSLS- Last week s com
petition was an overwhelming success
Out OF the numerous and beautiful con
tributions on 'The Ideal Optimist" it wa
hard TO select those which my limite,
space allowed me TO print. and still harde
to choose the ones worthy Of the prize
which were offered for the best. The fac
IS, they were all 50 uniformly excellent
so thoroughly en- rapport with the spiri
OF the clubs Ideals that it was only
question Of singing out those that cover
ed the most ground. that seemed mos
broadly to describe the perfect optimist
] think no one will disagree with my
selection after having read Mr. Harring
TONS splendid analysis of the optimist'
requirements. Altogether. the weeks com
petition was a banner one. and one o.
which I am justly proud. know you al
think so too
In announcing Conscience" as the topic
this week, I responded to the very many
requests from the members of the club
especially as this particular subject has
not been touched upon TO any extent Sc
far in the clubs discussions. The result
has surpassed my expectations. although
1 am thorough optimist. and particular
~ one where faith in the members Of The
Washington Herald Optimist Club is con-
cerned.
Some individuals find a conscience a
mighty inconvenient possession. These
are the people who seek TO follow their
inclinations without bothering about the
ethics Of the matter.
II were not an optimist / should hazard
the opinion that in the present state of
the FOrlds affairs the conscience plays a
very small part in the guidance of So
clety- II ] We're not an optimist. and ger
sisted In the popular idea that the world
Is growing worse instead of better
should say that our whole social fabric
Is controlled by unscrupUlous and selfish
men, who seek only the accomplishment
OF their own ends. 1 should further charge
that the present unbridled lust for money
and power is leading the race Of man into
condition which IS a close reversion 70
the ancient state of affairs when men
fought like beasts among themselves TO
gain the physical ascendency.
But being an optimist I cannot relin-
quish my faith in mankind. 1 cannot give
up my belief that there IS no one to-day
VINO does not possess a conscience. No
matter how much appearances are against
man-no matter how plainly Il seems on
the surface that he is acting in a manner
calculated 10 suggest that he ignores the
small voice Within which should prompt
him TO better things-I still believe that a
conscience is something that Is possessed
by every one. acknowledge that there
are some among US who may not per-
hapS even know that they have a con-
science, who perhaps have never expert
enced its promptings. There are Others
who pers-stently stifie the impulses that
would make for good Such ones need
the help Of the optimist very badly.
There are those. too. who know right
from wrong. but who prefer TO tread The
easiest way, because q leads 70 tempo
rary enjoyment These have sudden
qualms and experience the desire for
improvement. but unless they strengthen
themselves against temptation they readi-
~ slip back into the old comfortable way
Of gratifying their desires. regardless of
their own better natures.
The man or woman. however who uses
his conscience as a safeguard FOR his
character is the one 10 whom il is a
priceless asset
do not incline 10 that popular fancy
which holds conscience 10 be something
which ''scares" one of from doing wrong.
and. although Shakespeare said. Con
science doth make towards Of Us al" l
prefer TO believe that II takes strength
and bravery 70 listen 10 the promptings
or that Inner voice when impulse or de-
sire would lead away from the right. It
should not be the fear OF consequences
that makes US listen to our better selves.
and refuse TO do evil because Of the pun
ishment that may follow; it should be. on
the other hand. wish 10 live right and
10 do the very best of which we are
capable.
The members OF the club have expressed
to-day some very helpful ideas on the
proper functions Of the conscience, and
10 most OF them heartily subscribe. Just
what relation conscience" has toward
optimism is clearly set forth in these
selections to-day. They show that the
trend Of the Optimist being upward. leads
him to the conclusion that the possession
Of q conscience is a very necessary thing. /
and that so far from the world being able
10 get along nowadays without listening
10 suggestions for the good and the
pure. II is necessary now more than ever
before TO fight for the benefits and the
satisfaction that comes from a clear con-
science and the resulting peace Of mind.
The consciousness Of evil resisted and OF
good espoused is the optimists very life
and soul. He cannot always do the right
thing; he often stumbles along his way.
but he usually lives up TO the best there
IS in him. and in this he Is aided by his
conscience.
Says Byron:
Yet sin there whispers tho snan voice within.
Heard through gains silence and oer giory's din: |
WhateTeT creed be taught or land be trod
Mans conscience Is the oracle Of God!
which is a very beautiful way Of saving 4
that the conscience is a means Of com /
munication between man and his Maker I
and that the voice Of conscience cannot /
be put down. You may ignore its whfs-
perings by day. and while you are min
Cling with your fellows but when you are /
alone with that inner voice. oh, how
eloquent il IS and how the inclination
shrivels before its mighty upbraidings.
You cannot i've down your conscience.
Oh conscenceI oOuScieneel mans most faithful
friend,
Him csnst thou comfort. ease. reliere. defend
But il he wiz thy friendly checks fore7o
Thou art. Oh woe for him. his deadliest foel
For the topic 10 be discussed by the
club members next week I have selected
Independence" which is both timely
and interesting. Remember that "Inde-
pendence" is our national slogan. and
that personally applied it means some
thing 70 every man or woman. 1t means
and 1t stands for the break
ing away from old ideas and theories. II
means thought and the strict adherence
TO an ideal Let every one write some
thing for the Independence contest.
Mrs. E d. Frank, 12s c street north
east. has been adjUdged the winner OF
the first prize this week for her contribu-
ton on Conscience" which Is printed
below:
Conscience is the voice of the soul, the
guide and monitor Of life. Obedience is
the one cnrnrnand ,-hera can ha M -.