The Washington herald., 1909-08-08
Nv THE oPTINrIsT

OF the earliest dreams of his life was
10 write a discourse on this subject.
The documents" be says. from which
the doctrine IS to be drawn. charmed my
fancy by their endless variety. and lay
always before me- even in sleep; for they
are the tools In our hands, the bread IN
our basket. the transactions Of the street,
the farm and the dwelling house; greet
ings. relations. debts. and credit. the
influence Of character. the nature and
endowment Of all men"
The gentle poet and philosopher was
able, far better than you or 1. fellow
optimists, 20 set before the world a pic
ture Of the conditions and the tendencies,
which in life seem the most vital and
necessary. The members Of this club
have only to read his Compensation" 10
appreciate and understand the fullness
Of the term.
His thoughts. so beautifully expressed,
lie very close 10 the foundations OF op-
timism. II we did not believe in the
universal law Of compensation we could
not very long remain good Optimlsts.
We tell ourselves that we are not work
ing for reward-that the good we do is
done for the sake Of conscience and per-
sonal integrity-and we are sincere in
the belief AT the same time. is not
the very satisfaction. the peace Of mind
toward which we aim IN the doing Of
good o. kindly act, an ample and sufii-
Cient reward?
A belief in LIES compensation is op-
timism. Sometimes IL is very hard 10
effr frfv 70
some particularly black and Overhanging
cloud. II often takes a long time for
the cloud TO pass away; the soul IS
often plunged into deepest darkness. To
firmly believe. in the darkest hour. that
there IS brightness and happiness still IN
store for US, must be the condition OF
mind OF everyone who would re a true
Optimist
Let me quote 70 you few extracts
from EmersOn's "Compe tie
says.
The league between virtue and nature
engages all things 10 assume hostile
front 10 vice. The beautiful laws ana
substances Of the world persecute and
whip the traitor He finds that things
are arranged FOR truth and benefit, but
there is nothing I'm the wide world TO
hide a rogue. Commit crime, and the
earth Is made Of glass. Commit a crime.
and IL seems as If coat OF snow fell
on the ground. such as reveals in the
woods the track of every partridge and
fox and squirrel and mole. You cannot
recall the spoken word; you cannot wipe
out the foot track; you cannot draw up
the ladder so as 20 leave no inlet or
clew. Some damninC circumstance al
ways transpires The laws and sub
stances OF nature-water. snow, wind
gravitation-become penalties 10 the
thief
"On the other hand the law holds with
equal sureness for all right action. Love
and you shall be loved All love is
matdematically just. az much as two
sides Of an algebraic equation The good
man has absolute good. which, fire like
turns everything 10 his own nature so
that you cannot do him any harm: Dut
as the royal armies sent against Napo-
leon. when he approached cast down
their colors and from enemies became
friends, so disasters OF all kinds. as sick
ness. offense, poverty, prove benefactors:
factors:
Winds blow and waters roll
strength TO the brave and power and deity.
Yet IN themselves are nothing.
The good are befriended even by weak
ness and defect. As no man ever had
a point OF pride that was not Injurious
70 him. SO no man ever had a defect
that was not somewhere made useful 20
him. The stag in the fable admired his
horns and blamed his feet. but when the
hunter came his fee. saved him. and aft
erward caught in the thicket. his horns
destroyed him. Every man in his life
time needs 10 thank his faults As no
man thoroughly understands a truth until
Nr hsnu Al
has a thorough acquaintance with the
hindrances or talents Of men until he
has suffered from the C6e and seen the
triumph Of the other over his own want
OF the same Has he a defect OF temper
that units him 20 live in society? There
by he Is driven 20 entertain himself alone
and acquire habits OF self-help, and thus.
like the wounded oyster, he mends his
shell with pearl.
Our strength grows out Of our weak
ness. The indignation which arms itself
with secret forces does not awaken until
we are pricked and stung. and sorely
assailed A great man Is always willing
10 be little. Whilst he sits on the cushion
Of advantages. he goes 10 sleep. When
he is pushed tormented. defeated. he has
a chance 10 learn something; he has been
put on his wits. on his manhood: he has
gained facts: learns his ignorance: is
cured Of the insanity of conceit; has
got moderation and real skill The wise
man throws himself on the side Of his
assailants. It is more his interest than
Il is theirs 20 find his weak point. The
wound cicatrizes and falls off from him
like dead skin, and when they triumph. /
10, he passed on invulnerable."
Life holds out compensauons 10 all /
The Optimists creed embraces the
thought as being an expression Of his |
innermost convictions He who is con-
scious Of his limitations finds consolation |
IN the fact that II he lives up to the best
there Is in him, he will find plenty 20 do |
mat is useful. and that his shortcomings
Fill either be concealed or that they viii /
S1tually cease TO exist
I want 10 quote right here some verses !
lY Lillian Whiting. which give poetic ex- |
gtession TO the beautiful idea of what /
life promises:
Ear out in the mtrici future fair.
Waiteth for YOU treasure rure
Patiently waiting noticed By none
In dust and darkness until you come
Only your eye shall catch ifs CLEAN;
To others it ever must be unseen.
u Is yoTs-God fashioned It rich and rare.
Long hath II lain awaiting you there.
Your life is all ready and awaiting for you.
Not all Of rs gifts come at once IL is true
They arc scattered along-youn not fail 10 find. 4
II Jon walk in the way 80 divnely designed
Faith prophecies often viii haunt you: ard CLEANS /
OF pleasant things coming win Fit through your
dreams:
Sweet glimpses o. days beyond range Of your view 4
Net sin they are formed. and coming 20 you.
1 receive a good many letters from /
members and others. asking me about /
the Optbnist buttons, whether the sup |
ply Is exhausted or not think prob |