The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
By THE OPTIMIsT.


offers some occasion for using this talent.
AS we use it, it gradually increases, i'm
proves. becomes native TO the character;
as we neglect it, it dwrndles. withers, and
disappears. This Is the stern but benign
law by which we live. This makes char
acter real ard lasting. II one wants con-
firmation OF this scheme Of philosophy
YOU have only. I think. 10 look over this
page Of optimistic thoughts, for which we
are indebted TO the helpful members Of
The Washington Herald Optimist Club. I
think we have hardly ever had a more
helpful. hopeful. and inspiring page
am sure you VIII all enjoy it. be helped by
1t, and I hope you will pass il along. For
that is what Let's help. the motto of
the Optimist Club, means; that we shall
not selhshly keep our good things 20 our-
selves. but shall pass them on in the firm
faith that what has done good TO US and
inspired us viii help others.
I wish all Of you might know the assur-
ances get that the Optimist page is earn
estly doing a good work in the world. But
] have not space enough i'm this 10 print
one half of the letters on this subject
that receive. But that You may get
some idea OF the encouragement l get
from members Of the club want 70 mass
on one OF two OF the words OF cheer that
comes TO me. Here. fo- instance. is one
OF the letters I received during the week:
Dear Ortimist: That the rage II The Nashirz.on
Herald devoted 10 optimism Is doing a good work
there can b. no doubt, for anything that uulifts
brightens. and cheers Others is helpful. ! read IL
With profit and pleasure. then send il away TO
brighten some other life. ] find. too that the
spirit Of optimism is growing; perhaps that is bc-
cause look tor 81 certain II is that cheerfulness
essets eheerfulness hofe bssets hore. May the good
Work 90 on. and on. until 70 be pessimist Is rare
ard curiosity. Very trily y0Crs
c ,. WRIGHT.
And here, too. is another referring 10
our page last Sunday on Life"
Dear Optmist. To-day's rlge contained 50 much
that was help You do not know how eagerly
We watch for the weeks issle that we NAV n he
some thought from The selections f5r a watch
Wugd dufifs the Ueyk
Mary thanks for putting my selection among The
hcrS u was greatly APPRECIATED.
30 TAR ] have been unable 20 call Tor my button.
Dlt an going 10 make IL a point of getting IL tins
week, for want every one TO know which side 7
stand upon.
Again thanking YOU I am. truly yo,rrs.
Mrs. SADIE r. MARkWABD
II any Of you doubt that your contribu-
tons are widely helpful. I trust thar the
the week, viii reassure you:
Dear Opdmist; 7 received a button. and now
want 70 ask fer another 20 send 10 a frierd Of
mine. medical student in the University Of Ann
Arbo-. Mich- have been sending him the Opti-
mist sheet Gf TIE Herald each week for some timq
snd he is doing ETeat things with IT, This =
what be Says about t1cm In a letter received 20
day Please do not stop the Oprimist Ispers. they
are dong much goOd % the PATIENTS: taey 70
around sTery day from bed 20 bed. and made an
FtnsFa r~rr e1,e-a r. n. .
am one Of them"
was disappointed net t. meet yCu when / called
for my button. | am IN Office and had 70 call
after 20 IN the afternoon ] vin tell Won 2
sec7et vas SURPRISED % hnd that yen are "a
mere man. 7 thought from your high ideals and
your nohle sentiments that you were woman
su - glad that there are s1ch men IN the world
and am finding them ont every week from the
optimiSt sheet.
EIc,se this long letter ] had 70 tel yosl about
ny friend because I knew 70 would please you q
know that your paper 10 giving pleasure to th,
sick and the suffering. Eers sincerely,
25e7 Ontario road
Just 10 think how your words OF cheer
and helpfulness are reaching out and
making bright the dun bed Of illness and
) serding happiness 10 those in gloom.
7 cannot refrain. either. from reprintinc
a letter which ! received from one of our
contributors last week-not a prize-win-
,ner. but one who is. grateful that he re-
ceived the clubs button. The verses he
has written contain the true spirit OF
helpfulness.
My Dear optimist; hope that yoF win not pat
me on yonr list chronic letter writer But
well pleased with my lovely little button that
that you seut me that 7 iust have to thank you
and tell sou how feel about il. Lets help.
think that you could not have chosen a bette
motto for the 0ptimisr Club And If We all vii
do our very best 10 live up 20 our motto there :.
10 doubt but that many a sad heart VIII be made
. % rcloicc and be glad because there is a hand o
opiimists abroad IN the land, spreading the gospe
of sunshine and hope
Let's help" The world needs helpers every day
and every hour;
There Is always some good deed that we can do
Though all may not be wealthy, may DO; OBr
one foot Of land,
stiII. the world viii grow much better If We lend
a helping hand.
Let's help 1t is our duty and ii should be on
delight
To be helping those that are struggling on the WAY
We should help 70 scatter sunshine help 10 max,
life's pathway bright.
We should hep the ones who've failed and almos
given up the fight.
Lets help to make life brighter for the gloom!
pessinist.
For we're pledged 10 fight i'll humor all the time
fellow-man;
We shall more than be rewarded if we do what
good ne
Faithfully yours
JAMES CONWAY JACKSON.
And along the same line as the letter
from Mr.. Jackson received during the
week from Mr.. John A. Joyce, who should
really be considered as the poet laureate
OF the Optimist Club, the following:
Let's Help.
Let's help each other every day
By having good word 70 say
In morning bright OF evening gray
While moving TO the silent clay
Let's help each other every hour
Through rain N frost or SIN OF shower.
And give 70 all the fairest flower
That Love holds in her mistic bower
Let's help each other through the gloom
That fills our sordid. earthly room
Ard SPREAD abroad the rosy bloom
That triUmphs Ger the lonely tomb,
Let's help each other IN the night
or soTow when no cheering light
Is seen IN heavenly realms 50 bright.
And even hope is 0Ut Of sight.
Lets help each other on this sod
Wherever human footsteps plod,
While passing Meath the golden rod
That leads to glory and 70 God,
You VIII be gratified 10 know. l an
sure. that during the week the number o
applications for the club buttons ran int
the hundreds. 1 still have plenty left, ant
all OF you who want them for you
friends. or to gain recruits for the goo'
work, may get them on application.
Please don't forget that the subject 70
our contest newt Sunday is Love"
should give every one Of you fine oppor
tunity 70 express hopeful and helpfu
thoughts, for Love is the only synonym
in. and earthly speech for immortality
II has no past, for II carries all that /
Z.