The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-07-25
nv THE OPTIMIsT.

something like this:
They that are sad on earth in heaven shall sing
and I thought that there was a world
of promise and optimism in the idea, and
while I thought that as an Optimist
had no right to countenance sadness on
earth, az the same time 1 knew that in
spite OF all the beauties TINT the cause
Of optimism stands for, there still must
exist suffering on earth. because all man
kind has not yet been touched with the
magic wand OF optimism and that phys
zeal and mental influences for evil still
continue 20 depress a large number Of
unenlightened people
But the thought which 1 have above
quoted Is rich in promise for all that
are world-weary and who walk in dark
ness. They shall all sing some day, and
praise Him. All trouble and pain
shall be forgotten. and the sun shall
shine forever
You viii sing on earth to-day If you
are an Optmist What is the use Of
waiting in darkness and shadow when
you can walk out in Gods sunlight
How many times have the members Of
this club pointed out the truth that there
is a silver lining 10 every cloud? How
many times have we shown the way up
ward into the light
Sunshine and shadow enter into every
life. They enter into mine. Then enter
into yours. fellow-Optimists. Which Is
going to make the most impression on
you? Are you going to ignore the sun
shine, forget your blessings and your
privileges. and count only the days Of
shadow? Why don't you put the dark
places behind you?
Every housekeeper knows that sunshine
helps 90 kin germs. open the window and
lei II stream mall over everything. Sup
pose it does fade the carpet What does
that matter. when you can get new car
pets or have bare floors. II necessary?
You cant get a new body when the old
one has been destroyed by disease germs.
1t Is just like that with the human soul
unless you let the sunlight Of Optimism
in you are going 10 stagnate. The brood
ing melancholy Of the pessimist Is going
10 have you I'm IT'S grasp. The germs OF
doubt, regret, and unhappiness fee be-
fore the sunlight Of Optimism.
Let your soul dwell on the sunny side
Of the street. May all your windows let
in the bright beams All nature thrives
trees and the grass-the useful vege-
table growths that 20 10 nurture man
kind. all have to have the sunlight. or
they become rank and unproductive.
The sunshine on my Path
Was 20 me az a friend.
sings that fine old poet William Cullen
Bryant. IN his Winter Piece" The
thought is an excellent one for Optlm-
lists. The sunshine Is a friend. and you
can feel IL every day you live. If you
viii but keep out where It's rays can
reach you. Did you ever notice how
much brighter the sunlight seemed after
Two or three DAYS of clouds and rain?
The sun is not brighter. but IL IS only
because we have missed the sunshine,
ard we welcome Il as Bryant says. "as
a friend"
In the Love Of the Plants" by Eras-
mus Darwin, Ec says OF the sUn1Ower:
With jealous steps he climbs The upland lawn.
And bows in homage 10 the rising dawn:
lmbibcs with eagle cye the golden ray
And watches. as it moves. the orb Of day.
which ! think IS typical Of manklnd's
struggle to keep in life's sunlight. AS
Optmists, we keep our eyes on the orb
Of day-we look for the brightness in
everything. and II sometimes shadow
Is cast over us from causes perhaps that
we cannot control. we cast 81 of as soon
as Il is possible. for we cannot live with
out the sun.
From the earliest times in the history
OF man. we are told Of the worshipers
Of the sun. The ancients recognized the
sun as the source OF all the earths
bounty, and I'm their way sought 10 do
him homage While sun worship is not
popular to-day. in that sense Il is per-
haps a thought worthy 20 ponder on,
as Illustrating what the sunny side of
life means TO mankind
Every member OF this club has a duty
TO perform when he pledges himself 20
the cause OF Optimism. Walking in the
sunlight should not be a walk alone.
You may see some friend who IS walk
ing back there ia the shadow Beckon
to him. In your suulit place he will not
fail to see you, and the chances are he
VIII cross the street and walk by your
side Nothing is 50 contagious as OPP
tlmism. No ones company Is so sought
after as that Of the Opumist The bright.
sunny disposition makes friends, where
the serious and gloomy temperament re-
pels. You can be serious without being
gloomy. The mere fact that you walk
on the sonny side Of the street gives you
more perspective more generous and
helpful point OF view. Cultivate the habit
Of crossing the street every time you
find yourself in the gloom or despair
Over here on the sunny side folks are
happy-their troubles don't seem half so
hard 90 bear. On the sunny side of life
you hear the laughter OF little children,
the songs Of birds, and the gay chat
Ter Of happy youths and maidens. Walk
ing on the sunny side will help you 10
keep young; IL viii help you 10 III your
own life and your neighbor's with glad
ness and Joyous contentment.
II you are an Opumist you are already
on the sunny side" II you are not an
Optimist come over and see for your
self You will never 90 back TO the
shadows.
The Optimists are all engaged in scat
tering the sunshine Of optimism. Nal
colin D. Lamborne. the winner Of one
Of the recent prizes writes me: please
accept my thanks. When I get the check
I have bare-legged lad in mind who
will have dip IN the bay and a good
time IN general on that s."
NJ. Agnes Dunn. the winner OF the first
prize on Kindness, says. 4 was very
proud to receive II. and II gave me an
opportunity Of doing a little kindness for
one Of His little ones I'm aiding the
Fresh Air Fund OF the Christ Child So
ciety to whom part Of the check was
sent"
What noble example these two ~Op-
timists set, not only for the members of
the club, who are doing all the good
they are able on their own account I
know. but 20 those who have not as yet
learned "tnasmuch as We do 1t unto the
least OF these"
a