The Washington herald., 1909-10-10
Fellowship Is Recognition of the Kinship OF
Mankind
PRIZE WINNERS.
By THE OPTIMIsT.

which so many Of the members partici-
pated, was one in which there seemed to
be unusual interest. 1t is always evident
when the topic selected is especially pop
ular. for it is then that I have many
more contributions than usually have
room for. in spite OF the additional space
which is allotted. and which was fully
occupied last Sunday. However. there is
no cause for complaint when the contri-
buttons swell into great numbers; 1t is
rather a good sign OF the deep interest
you are all taking in the club and in
creases the good that It is doing
do not believe there is a selfish MEM
Der in the club or one who does not have
the interest OF our work deeply at heart
The prize-winners each week put the
money they receive TO some good or
charitable use. All summer I received
letters thanking me for different prizes
which had been awarded, with the state
ment that the children's fresh air funds
and the various charitable organizations
had been made richer by the contribution.
And in many other ways has the Sunday
prize money been put to excellent use. all
tending to the spread OF optimism and
right living. These things show the true
optimistic spirit They prove that every
member has his heart in the right place
and IS working not for personal gain, but
for the good Of the club.
One lady writes me recently as follows.
Dear Brother Optimist: am greatly obliged for
the dollar / received this week. and I bought
book with IL that have wanted Tor long time;
Sc is called "Auto-Suggcstions a book on the new
psychology, by Herbert A. Parkyu. Of Chicago.
I shall read It and then hand IL 70 my friends
ard hope TO do great deal Of good with IT,
IL Is Ervat pleasure 10 me 20 contribute even If
] DO not always win a prize. because II gives me
chance TO reach people whom I could never reach
otherwise.
/ consider The OTtimist pago good q sermon.
And the Optimist page. fellow-optimists.
while II Is not intended as a sermon-even
though. perhaps. do lapse int, sermon
izing sometimes-has proved TO be better
than sermon where the sentiments ex-
pressed are all voiced by one individual
In the Optmist Club you all have say;
each Sunday IS a full and free discussion
in which every one is heard Each Ut
terance by a member Of the club reaches
the ear Of all the other members. thus
making an endless chain OF helpful
thoughts and valuable truths
And this is all in keeping with the pur-
port of to-day's topic. Fellowship. 90
which is one OF the most appropriate op-
timistic subjects we have had for The
Washington Herald Optlmist Club stands
firmly for fellowship and all that the
term indicates
The realization OF the great kinship OF
mankind. the strong ties which bind US
all together is part of the optimist's un-
derstanding. We say that we stand for
the helping hand and the uplift Only
through the bonds Of fellowship can we
show this. We must make our fellow
men feel that we love them, that the
great fellowship OF humanity is dear 10
us, and that it is our duty and wish TO
help and preserve it.
II Is q great honor and privilege 20 be
part Of the universal human brotherhood.
How shall we treat this privilege? BY
adopting a superior or overbearing man
neT toward those who may, perhaps, not
possess certain qualities which we regard
highly? Perhaps those things which to
our way OF thinking are advantages do
not appeal TO our neighbor as being de-
sirable. He may model his life on a very
different standard from ours. Heredity.
environment. and culture all have a vast
influence over mems lives. Those who
find the paths OF life the easiest are not
those whose qualities are sure 90 be supe-
rior. II IS the man who rises supreme IN
spite of the setbacks and the disadvan-
tages that is the man Of true worth
We must love our feliow-man for him
self II we cannot at first discern in him
that which commands love or respect It
IS not for US to condemn him or to assert
ourselves as his better. On the contrary.
we must continue 70 search for his char
acter, always keeping in mind the reali-
cation that we as well as he are members
Of the great universal brotherhood. which
measures all mankind on basis OF equal
ity. For is Il not said that Man loOketh
on the outward appearance, but God
looketh in the hearth"
II the great Judge Of mankind weighs
men by their character, who OF us shall
be so bold as 10 refuse to recognize his
right to be so judged? Extend the right
hand Of fellowship TO all. Give OF the
best that you possess in order that you
may receive of the best which is your
neighbor's.
The great army Of mankind is marching
IN a tremendous column. To keep abreast
IS every mans duty. The rank and file
are the real leaders. they. and they only,
decide the battle. Are you equipped for
marching? Can you keep step with your
fellows. aiding and being aided? Or are
you faltering. holding aloof from doing
your part? Your fellows Will not hest
tate to weigh your motives by your &C
tons. and he who is careless OF his duties
and his responsibilities will never know
the true benefits and the entire satisfac-
ton OF intimate fellowship.
The members Of The Washington Her
aid Optlmist Club are banded 10 active
fellowship for the good Of themselves
and the good OF those with whom they
--r,f.. -
not mean charity or a condescending at
titude toward your brother men. but 1t
embraces equality for all. Fellowship
levels all classes and is the bulwark and
mainstay of society.
Below you will find an interesting and
helpful collection of expressions on Eel
lowship' which have been received from
members OF the club Just word, too,
10 remind those who are not already
members that the club invites every one
who wishes TO become a member TO send
in his name and address and receive one
% the club buttons The club is continu-
ing to grow every day, and there Is a
world of help and encouragement for the
daily life in being an optimist
The Optimist's Aims will be the sub
ject for discussion next Sunday, as an
nounced last Wednesday. I hope to hear
from you all. Remember, your views are
always acceptable and may be Of more
benefit to the other members than you
realize.
The winner OF the first prize in the
Fellowship contest Is MIS-. L. d. FL
lott, 1917 Rhode Island avenue northwest,
who sends in the following:
Fellowship is. II anything. a little big
ser and broader and more comprehensive
IN scope than friendship. 1t is love OF
friendship for man IN the larger sense