The Washington herald., 1909-11-07

for IT and giving up to the object OF /
human betterment the best there is in !
you.
A careful reading OF the topics that The !
Washington Herald Optimlst Club has |
discussed IN the past six months will
give you a better idea of the things that
are necessary to moral improvement than
I can give you in the confines of this
introduction. / would like TO say more
on the subject, but space is not available.
I do want TO say. however. that the
quality OF the contributions which am
at present receiving shows a most graft
tying Improvement Several OF the men,
bers have written me expressing their
satisfaction at the general tone of the
contributions, aud many have said that
they prefer the original expressions OF
opinion as being superior TO the selec-
lions and quotations. In this there IS
great deal OF truth, because nothing helps
so much In the development Of your OPP
timism as to indulge in the introspection
necessary 70 write intelllgently on the
subjects presented. As IN the case OF
the contest on why 1 am an optimist'
il gives every one an opportunity for
self-questionlng.
Some OF the recent contributions have
been remarkable evidences Of the true
quality OF optimism which is possessed
by the members OF this club. They do
not merely agree 20 be optimists and con-
tribute for the sake of the prizes offered,
but they have cultivated an optimism
which has a true ring. They are not
merely optimists in name, but in spirit
and practice.
thing further on the general Improvement
/ later on.
/ The Helping Hand" Is a subject sug-
gested by one of the optimists. and
/ want 20 announce * for the next contest
/ The contributions viii DE received by
me up to and including next Wednesday
at noon. as announced last Thursday
morning IN The Herald. CThe contest to
+ follow will be THANKSGIVING, 30 but form
/ nj announcement Of that topic will be
made on Wednesday or Thursday next
The first prize this week goes 70 +. NJ.
Glotzbach. ul4 Trinidad avenue north
east. for the following epitome Of How
we may best accomplish improvement
The best way 20 improve yourself is
90 study your failings, and by persever-
lance in time YOU will overcome them.
i
yourself 20 be content with what you
have. Tor content forms the most Of the
lows OF life Keep that bright star of
hope burning In your breast and share
the good things OF this world with 9th
, ers Also you can be the means of as
, sisting others toward the upward path
/ Think deeply Of that little mOtto-"Let's
s Help" and OF Gods command-'Love thy
j uelghbor as myself" BE always ready
: 90 lend q helping hand TO those in dis
tress. and by your own words of kind
b. mess and good deeds they will try 20 I'M
r prove themselves. For who Is so black
, az heart who viii not feel ashamed AND
D Iremorse follow when he sees good done
s. for ovil2
Mr.. Willis I. Hal, 7O5 Eighth stree
Z northwest, has been awarded the SECOND
prize for this contribution:
q use and improve, or lose This b
4 the advice given by James Freeman
10 Clark I'm his admirable work. "Self-cul
q turc.' lie tells us truly we must eX
e. erclse whatever ability We have. mus
To- use our talents. our strength. on
O. genius. or lose them. Just as iron Wi
f., De injured more by rust than by judi
n elous use. our own good qualities Wi
- dcteriorate by lack of exercise. What
, ever we can 90 we should do constantly
/, always striving for bettermcnt. BY 81
20 doing we will more nearly attain tina
70 perfection which should be the ideal O
Il. every individual Constant use OF abil
II ity IN any direction must result in i'm
provement. The longer continued, IN
n more faithfully followed the greater re
e suits. So. use and improve. OF lose
:, The third prize has been given 70 Mr.,
- Lillian y. Smith. 1916 Inglesids terrac'
- for the expression of her view, as 70
- lows.
Since general or racial Improvement
. linsCparably bound up in individual pros
= ress, IT is with the means at the di'
~ pOsal OF the average man and woma
~ that we are concerned in determine
q how ~ ca7 best accomplish improy,
,~ ment
80 Education stands first among the pow
- ers that have upllfted and beauude
our common Hfe-educauon IN its brOaD
est sense. as a means to a more gener
~ culture and appreciation of the fine al
- beautiful and worth while.
N Schools and libraries. art galleries. az
:. the good and great things Of the theat
10 have opened up avenues 90 improvement
- some OF which are open TO all, and les
49, to the recognition OF what is wort
1s ! striving for.
- The keeping in touch through readin
m with the big phuanthropic. social. al
- artistic movements OF the time is OF
=. important factor, since tie initiative IA
= ultles do not cease their function entire
=, I'm adult life. and the knowing that o.
- man or body OF men is doing some SD
y, cial work toward the betterment Of b
~ manity is frequently IA spur to individu
n. effort And that, after all, is the II
- portant thing, for laying aside all on
,,+ side means through which improveme
. may be accomplished, we cannot fail
~ see that il is the VIII and the effort
20 forward 70 better thinRs-the livi
10 with definite purpose and aims and hi
~. ideals, through which We rise TO 0
80 greatest possibilities.
Ice The winners Of the five prizes Of
40 each are.
me It seems that a good way TO imprC
I ones self would he to 90 a-hunting ev,
''' day-not for rabbits: no, OF course n
not Tor gold, not for glory. not for
.tr- probation, but for good qualities that {
80 does not possess. For instance. if
- meets a person with a healthy who
Ia hearted laugh. bag Il; It's fatten
80 game. and try to make good use Of
And so on, until one can put his {
II aside and enjoy the pleasure of be
- hunted by other hunters.
,ai In other words. ] think a person
80 best improve himself by associatlng "
III people who have virtues that he has
,o, on the other hand, as TO helping 9th,
,,.r probably it could be accomplished best
letting them know that one really
want 70 help them. Show them by OF
he actions ALLEN PRENDE
toll al Tenth street southeast
VIII It IS necessary in order TO Rccomp
The ,-,nro,,av,,e,t 70 alvavs yveor a me