The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-20

Heart Neh. 8; S:12
(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)
Optimism is the days fad. It is a
good fad. despite the evidence that
some persons are trying to feed their
spirits on what Carlyle called "a diet
of broad grins." Mere needless good
nature and careless assurance are not
the real optimism. Real optimism has
its springs In a thankful heart 1t is
grateful for the good, and looks ever
on the brighter side because it is the
better side, and, all things considered,
timism is that which is pillared in d
simple trust in God. 1t believes that
all things will come out right in the
end, because God is in control. and
his other name is love.
thankful heart is greater riches
than a full purse.
For human love- and love divine
For love of ours, and love of Thine,
For heaven on earth and heaven
above,
We thank Thee.
j. G. Holland.
1t takes uncommon grace to be
thankful for common mercies
Among all the blessings for which
mortals should give thanks the bless
ing of a thankful heart should have
G. high place. This spirit of gratitude.
which recognizes Gods good guild
ance in all of life. and is not merely
resigned to his providences, but CRATE
full for them. is a trace of the divine
in the human. For it was Gods own
Son who taught men to say. Father,
thank thee
A mans wife died The loss was
sore, for the love that knit them to-
gether was strong, and the husband
had been wont to lean heavily upon
his wife's tender care and counsel. At
ter her death the man showed no Bit
terness; and the secret was explained
when somebody heard him praying
alone. His prayer was not one of
grief, but of gratitude that for so
many years God had given him this
rich love and joy. He confessed him
self unworthy of such a great honor
and blessing, but he thanked God for
it, and prayed that he might be kept
ready for the eternal reunion with
his beloved Is it any wonder that
this mans bereavement has been a
means of grace to him, and to all his
wide circle of friends? His gratitude
has made him great.
For morning sun and evening dew,
For every bud that April knew
For storm and silence, gloom and
light,
And for the solemn stars at night;
For fallow field and burdened byre,
For roof-tree and the hearth side fire,
For everything that shines and sings
For dear, familiar daily things
The friendly trees, and in the sky,
The white cloud-squadrons sailing by;
For Hope that waits, for Faith that
dares,
For Patience that still smiles and
bears,
For love that fails not nor with
stands;
For healing touch of children's hands,
For happy labor, high intent.
For all life's blessed sacrament:
o Comrade of our nights and Gays,
Thou givest all things, take our
praise. Arthur Ketchum.
.Thankfulness for blessings says
Amos r. Wells, "is almost always a
greater blessing than those for which
we are thankful
Since every day is Gods day. every
day should be a Thanksgiving day.
Happiness is the thanks we say to
God. Just to be glad is gratitude.
These are the gifts I ask
OF thee, Spirit serene:
Strength for the daily task.
Courage to face the road.
Good cheer to help me bear the
travellers load,
And for the hours of rest that come
between
An inward joy for all things heard
and seen. Anon.
A few years ago there was jing-
ling song popular with Christian En-
deavor societies and Sunday schools
Count your blessings, name them one
by one" The idea was better than
the poetry. 1t is a good basic philos-
ophy for life. To exercise ones will in
the reso1ute recognition of the joys
of existence is to evoke new sources
of peace and power from the depths
of ones own nature. The modern
theory of medicine is founded large
ly upon this principle. Dwell upon
the good, and that very act will do
you good. Think bright, grateful
thoughts and your life will have add
ed reasons for brightness and graft
tude.
Earth is an apprenticeship to
heaven. If we are to spend eternity
there in praising God would it not be
sensible to begin now to practice?
o heart of mine, we shouldn't
Worry so!
What we've missed of calm we
couldn't