The Washington herald., 1909-02-07
BY THE OPTIsIIST.

A page Of kindness, Another abundant
crop from the sowing of optimism. And
what crop il is. ! am quite sure that
no one can read the contributions that
have come from so many quarters, and
which are here scattered broadcast, with
out coming to a fuller realization Of the
enormous value OF kindness; without see
ing that kindness-the little daily acts
and gentle words and tender thoughts
must have wonderful power Of moving
this gray old earth by so much nearer
70 the stars.
I wish It were so that every member OF
the Optimist Club who has contributed
might win a prize but as that cannot be
] am glad to think that every contribu-
tor must be benefited BY what he has
contributed: the kindly thought he has
promulgated viii return to him. I an
sure. sevenfoId. For as We think so do
We become. and il We think kindness.
kindness shall be given 70 Us
Nor need We think. any Of US. that this
page Of optimistic kindness Is wasted in
any way The messages Of hope and
cheer and tenderness that you shall find
on this page may prove a very beacon
light TO some soul lost IN the fog OF IN
kincness and loneliness. and II the whole
sum Of our contributions should make
but one feIIow-mortal happier. more con
tent with Hfe-are We not all repaid?
The frst prize Of s. this week is award
ed to s z Adkins. Of 2osf street. Tor
the following contribution:
What God has put in our power IS the
happiness Of those about Us. and that is
largely secured by our being kind TO
them
Kindness is love in action The great
est thing We can do for our heavenly
Father IS 10 be kind to some OF His other
children wonder why II IS that We are
not all kinder than We are How much
the world needs II. How easily Il Is done
How instantaneously It acts How in
fallibly IL Is remembered How super
sbundantly II pays itself back Christs
whole life was an example TO US in kind
ness
The second prize Of 3 goes to Miss
Edith V Bradt. of 1SS4 Fairmont ave
nue., for this contribution;
So many gods. so many creeds.
So many paths that wind and wind.
When just the art OF being kind
Is what this sad world needs
The third prize Of 81 is awarded 10 Miss
Louise Rutherford. OF I723 G street north
west, for the following:
Kindness
Christ set 10 the world the greatest
example OF kindness when He said. For
give them. Father. they know not what
they do Again 70 the accused woman:
Go and sin no more" Enoch Arden
knew the depths OF kindness as few men
can know IL
Many OF Us are kind when 70 be SO does
rot Interfere with our plans. Many OF Us
speak the kind word. and withhold the
act. Tis easy TO be kind 10 those we
love; 70 the helpless. The dumb creatures.
the street waif. 70 little children. But
the test comes 10 all Of Us. when We are
called upon to show OF feel a kindness
for those who have done Us great in
jury kindness toward the one who
would DESTROY All that IS brightest and
best IN our lives. kindness fer the one
who would defame our fair name, kind
ness FOR the ore who would stab Us in
the hack.
Soldiers on the battlefield have come
face 10 face with such ordeaIs. They
have pressed their canteens to the parch-
I'd lips Of fallen foe They have penned
the last message to the loved ones at
home foT the boy who would not live 70
see the sun go down; hatred no longer.
but kindness for the unfortunate one
There are 50 many ways to be kind. often
the shzrpest pain the heart can know il
through an act Of kindness We are called
upon TO DO and say things thar seem at
the moment the very hardest thing 10
do but in after days We know We we're
kind
Kind words and smiles help others 10
hear their burdens. and in giving them
We forget our own
There remains FIVE other prizes or 81
each. and these are awarded 70 the FOL
lowing:
Kindness language which the dumb
can speak and the deaf can understand
-Bovee. Summaries Of Thought-Kind-
ness. VIRGINIA B. ADKINS.
1918 Newton street northeast
Always smile kindly speak kindly. act
kindly to children and the old people The
former viii carry the remembrance in
their hearts all the days Of their lives:
the latter viii feel their hearts grow
young and warm and be thankful for life
MARY L REED.
Ifs7 Irving street
Charity. JOY, peace. patience. benignity,
and kindness-always kindness-these are
the gifts OF the spirit
:. MASON BROWN.
WsTTsrton. Ns.
Kindness Is the connecting link between
earth and heaven; the true philosophers
stone. converting all that il touches into
pure gold. with which We purchase con-
tentment- peace, and love Il finds its
way into the hearts hidden chambers,
and brings forth treasures which harsh