The Washington herald., 1909-10-17

the precious seeds Of kindness by the
wayside and be as a shining light along
the dark and gloomy road Of pessimism,
with high aims that bring into our lives
the attributes OF God, ideal citizenship
and conscientious Christianity.
HENSON B. HICKS.
Bureau American Republics
I can think of no more appropriate
words. in which to frame my conception
OF the true aim Of the optimist, than In
these beautiful lines from The Foot
Path To Peace"
To be glad Of life because It gives
you the chance to love and TO work and
to play and to look up at the stars; 70
be satisfied with your possessions, but
not content with yourself until you have
made the most of them; TO despise moth
ing in the world except falsehood and
meanness. and 10 fear nothing except
cOwardice. TO cOvet nothing that is your
neighbours except his kindness of heart
and gentleness Of manner; 10 think sell
dom OF your enemies. often Of your
friends, and every day Of Christ; 70
spend as much time as possible IN body
and In spirit in Gods out-of-doors.-
Henry Van Dyke. FANNIE W. DUYALL.
209 Main street. Annapolis. Nd
What should be the optimist's aim ?
The true optimist should aim TO have
faith in and live UP to the teaching Of
Gods word that "all things work to-
gether for good TO them that love God.
1t IS easy TO be optimistic when the
sun shines bright, and the pathway OF
life is strewn with flowers; but when
the clouds hang heavy overhead and the
way is dark. then must the optimist
prove what he believes Then must he
] look for the silver lining and scatter
! ing the cloud bring sunshine 70 those
who are overwhelmed by the darkness.
The very root Of the word optimism
/ helps US 20 find an answer TO our
question What should be the opu-
mists aim?" Optimus. best The aim OF
/ the optimist should be the best, the best
IN everything-w is best for his fell
] low man as well as best for himself
/ To reach this ideal calls for gratitude
patience. kindness, unseldshness. and all
/ the other virtues. This is a high aim
you say-yes but as Browning says.
Mans reach should exceed his grasp,
/ or what's a heaven for?" NJ. T. L
, Orange. Va
To make of ones mind a storehouse OF
useful facts and inspiring memories
which are acquired by reading the best
/ literature. studying the highest art, lis
tening 10 the Grandest music. and COM
muning with the beauties OF nature; "a
! speak IN sincerity and love uplifting and
sunshiny words which may make smooth
the path OF some fellow-Wayfarer and
dispel the gloom from some sOrrOwing
soul: and 10 meet life's duties. conquer
its difficulties. and grasp its opportunities
! IN an unselfish. helpful spirit, so that the
world may be better and wiser and hap
I pier-in brief, 10 think rightly, speak
kindly. and act nobly: this Is the opti-
mists' aim. WILLIAM RUFUS PRATT.
/ us Ninth street northwest
do unto others as you would have
them do unto you" and our life viii be
one Of JOY, peace. happiness, satisfaction
and contentment-a heaven upon earth.
This should be our aim, our object, and
our desire; then, and only then. can we
expect TO become optimists Of the true
kind and STANDARD; optlmists that would
make the melancholy feel that strong
warm rays were urging them on 10 bJ
likewise.
AS the sun warns the earth, gives VI
life, and happiness upon H. so should We
be that we may warm the hearts OF the
depressed and give them life and happi
ness ROBERT T. STEINER.
SD North Carolina avenue southeast.
On the Aims Of an Optimist," I sin
! cerely believe the following though
about brings forward just what an op
timist IS and what he should bring about
Put out from your soul those evi
spirits hatred. envy, malice and discon
tent, surround yourself only with happ!
folks, and you do this by seeking e
make everybody within your reacl