The Washington herald., 1909-07-04


sought reward. The daily blossom from
the garden or the heart. is worth much
more 70 any Of Us, than thousands laid at
the shrine Of memory when we are gone
from life
The second prize OF 800 is won by
Miss Ellen Macfarland. SA B street
southeast. for the following:
Gratitude is a ready recognition and
perpetual remembrance OF the good viii
or the love or another which has prompt
ed him 10 render some service TO, or con-
fer some benefit upon a fellow being.
The sentiment OF gratitude varies in
strength and endurance. according 10 the
character Of the individual by whom II
is experienced. There is the trivial ex-
preston Of gratitude Of the common
place nature. which Is restless until IL
can pay back, as well as Il may. while
the benefit conferred is yet fresh in the
recollection, after which the sense Of in
debtedness is banished from the thoughts.
And there is the nobler instinct of graft
tUde belonging 10 the large, rich nature,
which would offer nothing less costly
than a sacrifice OF self. and which en-
shrines IT'S benefactor In the sacred re-
cesses Of the soul, and would continue
TO render him loving homage even
though he should pass forever from sight
There is also a very beautiful and rare
manifestation Of gratitude. possible only
20 the pure spirit, when IL becomes con-
sciOus of that spontaneous and passion
ate overflow OF the heart IN silent thank
fulness 70 some one-perhaps unknown
70 whom It stands indebted for intellec-
tUal culture and decisive instruction.
The contribution Of Florepca Piner
l35 Falrmont street. northwest. which
appeared in last Mondays OptimisJ col
unn. has been adjudged winner Of third
prize, 500, and IS here reproduced:
Guatsful Mind.
b. owing. owes not. but SIN pays. ar once
Indebted and dischsrsed. Milton.
OF all the kindly virtues with which
true natures are endowed. gratitude Is
AZ once one of necessity and pleasure.
ecessity-because in the pain OF it's ab-
sence thoughts and deeds Of the nOblest
type pale into insignihcance. while the
individual Is thrown far out Of his ex-
tended sphere without knowing why he is
mentally az variance with his fellow
men: pleasure. Here the pen is INSULT
cieut 10 express the delights Of a grateful
heart II is JOY IN The daily life comfort
in sickness. support IN aflictiOn. and
solace in misery.
II Is the free gift Of nature rather than
the product Of cultivation. Like a sturdy
plant. IL thrives alike on the wild noun
tain-side or in the carefully tended gar
den, but IN either place It's mission is
tc enhance the beauty Of its surround
ings.
Gratitude and generosity are kindred
virtues one suggests the other. as one
is necessary TO the other. The grateful
heart is not the one 20 stop at sacrifice.
nor has the generous heart power 10 re-
main insensible to sacrifice
Gratitude may be evinced in various
ways. but 10 my mind it is spirit rather
than action, and action rather than word
Il is also a redeeming virtue. and as
such is Il moral inconsistency that
gratitude should be the last good trait 70
disappear from the time-hardeued heart2
Rather when gratitude IS gone beauty Of
heart and soul are lost forever
Five prizes Of one dollar each have
been awarded 10 the FIVE selections which
appear below, including the poem by Mr..
Brewton. which was .n The Optmist col
Umn for Tuesday:
Granting that this word expressing,
Right from the innermosr heart,
Al that goes to make life's blessing
TO all mankind. each. his part
I-hnd pious gratitude
That links the chain Of praise,
Until il seems beauutude
Doubling thanks for noble usage.
E-ngendering sweet remembrance.
1909 Park Road
MANS MOLD.
Gratitude is a myth. a dream,
To the pessimistic mind.
In the blessing Of Gods sunlight
He stalks before Him blind
Not so the optimistic man
He dOns his gracious smile
And mingles 'mOng his fellows,
Gaining friendship all the while.
His manner seems 70 multiply,
Grum faces disappear,
And universal gratitude
Pervades the atmosphere
If goodness We're an endless chain,
We'd all be glad and gay.
And life would be a paradise
Forever and for aye.
C. A. BREwToN.
Look over the whole creation and you
shall see that the band or cement that
holds together all the parts Of this great
and glorious fabric is gratitude.
GEORGE P FRAILEY.
l25 North Capitol street.
ITO the generous mind
The heaviest debt is
That Of gratitude
When tbs not in
Our power TO repav Il %
AIrs. CLARPHENIA SMITH.
74s Norton street northwest
Gratitude comes from the heart and IS
the expression Of all true lofty. generous
souls. To live each day as though II were
cur last, culuvating strong sense OF
duty. grateful for the divine gifts. CRATE
ful for love. for friendship. for pleasures.
health, and happiness; always deslrous Of
pleasing the Master above and circum-
specify walking with Him who is always
watching and knows even our iamost
thoughts, not sowing 10 reap all unto /
oneself, but sowing IN unfeigned charity
In joyful spirit without hope OF a re-
turn. God IN His mercy is bOuntiful TO
all and wishes 10 be daily invoked.
thanked, and glorifed by our daily
lives, Give. and it becomes easier to give |
quickly, thus giving more. Forget what |
you yourself give, but never fail to re-
member the gifts Of others and show
them by deeds OF kindness and thought |
fulness that their acts are not forgotten. |
CICELY CLAUDE. /
Chevy Chase. Nd.
Honorable mention is awarded 10 the !
contributions, as we'll as to
those appearing in the daily optimist col /
lmn during the past week:
Gratitude is the most divine Of al emo
-ions. for It IS comprised Of all that are /
highest Born Of love. welded In faith I
living in a hope that IS sublime, so that /