The Washington herald., 1910-06-05
BY THE OPTIMIsT.

Sometimes it happens during a temper
ance meeting that a reformed drunkard
gets up and gives his experiences, and
tells how he has cut OF his old habits
and is trying, with Gods help. TO live an
upright, decent life. What rejoicing there
is in this mans family; what visions of
happy domesticity. pretty nearly all de-
strOyed in the past by his lack of manli-
ness and self-respect!
How many tears do you suppose have
been shed over this man? How many
friends and relatives have labored with
him. endeavoring to make him reform?
DO YOU suppose there is a single wan
dered from the paths Of righteousness
and responsibility who has not at least
one loving soul Offering up prayer TO
God that he may be led toward the light?
Even the man with Incorporate habits
is no worse than the man with the per-
petual crouch The drunkard may be
fond and loving husband when he lets
alcohol alone. he may be a man of bril-
liant attachments. but who has a beset-
ting sin from which no power can save
him but that which comes from within.
Shall we not equally rejoice over the
reformed 'pessimist?" If We as members
Of The Washington Herald Optimist Club,
were in the habit of meeting once every
week in fact as We do through the me-
dunn of this Sunday page. would we not
be glad and rejoice at the spectacle Of
the pessimist rising in his place and
promising TO reform and become an opu-
mist?
"GFouchiness" Is only a habit Happily
Il is easier TO cure than intemperance.
The task of the optimist is easier than
that of the temperance refOrmer. hence
We should be able 10 show larger returns
when we offer the topic, what Optimism
Has Done for Ne"
Do you note the personal note In the
expressions on this weeks subject? That
Is precisely what ] aimed at when I Of
fered you this topic last Wednesday
week I wanted each and every one of
you TO stand up in meeting and give your
own experience with optimism. There IS
a gratifying outpOuring OF soul in to-
days contributions Each one OF you
who has written on the subject seems to
have written from the depths OF an hon
est conviction, a feeling akin to thank
fitness. the consciousness OF having de-
rived real help from the Let's help" idea.
Don't you see how all this proves that
when you say lets help" you are in
reality helping yourself? Nothing IS so
good for one as forgetting ones self
When we start out TO help others we no
longer think OF our own selfish wants
and thus our characters are improved
day by day.
We can't always tell just how optimism
has benefited us. Il is a subtle force
which works for our own good and for
the good Of those about Us.
The Optimist's nature is reflected IN
those with whom he comes in contact,
and his friends are likely TO be cheerful,
hopeful people. individuals whose souls
are at peace and 10 whom the many vex-
atoms and trials Of life are lightened by
the thought that the world IS growing
better day by day and that each ones
own individual world Is what he makes
It himself
Since YOU have all responded to the call
Of to-day's subject. l want TO add my
own little mite to the general Outburst Of
confidence and tell you that I have felt
the improving influence of optimism since
the first day became the editor Of this
page. Every day and every hour has
been an inspiration. The dwelling on the
sunny side and basking in the smiles and
good will of my fellow-men has made
duty a pleasure and worries and anx-
ieties have taken flight. You cannot re-
alize how pleasant 1t as each week TO
open the envelopes containing your
thoughts and read them and mark how
the seed which was sown has grown into
a wonderful flower of thanksgiving and
praise
I feel, too, that the club has its place
IN the progress Of the people who are its
members. They turn to It for comfort
= mr. a
message. and that message finds its way
into some heart that sorely needs It.
Optinist s. 2 Adkins. who is one OF
the prize-winners this week, sends me
that beautiful verse which I have printed
on this page before, but which consider
is singularly appropriate to our discus
sion to-day;
Let me I've In a house by the side Of the road
Where the Of men 90 By;
They are good. they bad. they arc strong. they
are weak,
Wise foolish-aud so am l.
Then why should sit in ths sornsrs seat
Or huTi the cynic's bani
Let live IN q hOuss by tho ssds Of the road
And be friend 10 man.
Optimism makes you feel that way. and
hence I repeat that optimism is an Inn
proving influence on character II broad !
ems the mind and soul, IT teaches mental |
thoroughness and moral purity; since II |
keeps the mind healthy. therefore the |
body is healthy. It's influence is as far |
reaching as the air We breathe and al |
most as necessary to life itself
1 am glad you have cast or the |
Crouch" and have routed the pessimist |
and covered him with confusion. Ham |
glad that The Washington Herald Opti- |
mist Club is able to WELD an influence |
for good and that We are permitted by /
our unfagging zeal TO accomplish things /
that are not only beneficial 20 ourselves. |
but TO others.
To-day I print the list OF names OF |
those who have sent In money for the /
fresh air fund" This money is to be |
turned over TO the treasurer Of The Her /
aid, who Will keep It until the first OF |
August, when II will be used for the pur-
pose for which II is being collected. I do /
not want single week to pass by with
put receiving something for this fund. |
Remember what ] said last Sunday about /
he OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES IS too small 10
be acceptable A few cents Will so far
her IN this cause than IN any other I
Know.
have decided that where the members
wish IL 10 use only their initials IN an
the contributions. There need,
be no misunderstanding among
Iuch good friends and associates as the
)ptimists. There can be no tealousies
between you. II you cannot contribute a
loIlar and your next door neighbor can,
here is no reason why he should look
Town upon your dime or quarter. It
cost you quite as much sacrifice
Is It did him.
The value OF a gift does not lie in the
lmeunt; 1t lies In the spirit IN which il is
siven. I don't want any member to feel