The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-23
By THE OPTIsnST.


resignation which is sounded all through
out the "Rubaiyat," of which the above
verse is a selection, is not particularly
appealing 10 optimists, but there is Sc
often 3 beautiful suggestion in this IA
vorite poem that l am moved to occa-
sionally quote portions of it to you.
Even If YOU do not find 1t especially
reconciling to your beliefs you cannot
fail to observe the application. There IS
much of holiness, OF conceit, in the as
severatlon of an individual, whether he
be a dead Persian poet or live man OF
the twentieth century, that he would like
10 be consulted with regard to the re-
modelling of the universe but fancy we
should overlook that feature Of the verse
and make up our minds that the poet
found things mundane so very far from
his ideal that he despaired Of ever set
ting them right.
The man of action and ambition, how
ever, does not concern himself with a
uistful pining for remodeling the scheme
OF the universe: he rather sets about cor
rectlng those things which more or less
affect himself and those with whom he
comes in daily contact.
There does not exist the man who COM
pletely realizes his ideals-that is, II he
l.; a man worthy Of the name-for then
he sets his ideals high and spends his
life in struggling toward them not hope
Iessly or despairingly. but with a strong
realization that TO do his best is all that
is required OF him.
If you fancy you have reached your
ideals. you have probably set them far
too low or perhaps have no ideals at all.
An Ideal should be the standard of de-
sire. and the standard of an optimist
should be of the highest
Many people possess the idea that
ideals are merely dreams OF that those
individuals who are constantly working
Tor an ideal are dreamers and imp-acti-
cal persons I do not want any of my
brother and sister optimists TO get such
a notion into their heads Ideals as we
conceive them are standards OF CharaC-
ter and right living which must be con
stantly borne in mind if We are to get
out OF the daily life all there is in II
for US
We hear a great deal about ideals now
Gdays, only we don't as rule call them
such. The socialists have their ideals Of
equality and of government; there are
ideals of dress, ideals of hygiene, ideals
Of religion and of art. but none of these
seem TO me TO he as important as the
great fundamental IDEAL of universal
brotherhood and right living. All these
other ideals will naturally follow in the
train of the principal one.
When we get to the point where We
love our neighbors as ourselves and put
aside the selfshness, the hypocrisy. and
the sham OF modern and superficial life
we shall be nearer to the attainment of
this great ideal.
Optimism teaches among other things
fellowship and mutual help. This IS the
optimists ideal, a condition where men
regard each other as brothers. not enc
mics; where self-help and helping others
This is what the optimist hopes for, and
it is for this hope that he is known as
an Optimist.
II you are perfectly satisfied with your
self and your surroundings, 1t means that
YOU are contented with a low ideal Many
think this is optimism, but II is only res
isnation. Optimism does not mean quiet
submission to the knocks Of fate: il
means something infinitely more uplift-
ing and important It means a constant
endeavor 10 make the rough places
smooth, with an ever-present sense Of
the usefulness and the beauty Of all
things.
The Washington Herald Optimist Club
is not a submissive band, but a working
band. They have passed that stage Of
optimism where yielding to the inevitable
constitutes their only claim to the proud
title Of optimist They are taking ad-
vantage Of every opportunity for self
betterment, knowing that therein lies
their only chance for the attainment Of
ideals.
I print the following letter from one Of
our members. who modestly asks that
her name be withheld. Here, indeed. IS
an optimist who Is living up to her
ideals, and I think it Is a splendid ex-
ample Of what optimism is doing for US :
Dear Alr. Outimist: Don't you think we are
called upon sometimes 70 make good al the beau
tiful things We say, 70 prove statements as II
weref couple Of weeks ago a poor old c0l0red
woman wrinkled and gray, called at my door for
first ali of know her Nnrf yrRay4 s~o
laughed ! recognized Ole Nanny who lived
with when the boys were tots; a faithful old
husband live in 4 little cabin down in 'Ole Eir-
guuy, and she was up here irving 70 get some
work TO do TIL spring Tor last years craps" had
failed, and all the chickens had died with the
cholera. Now | did not have any particular wurk
fae nAs syir44- -st and lei It II 9;S ~ ~
me long % decide. and / gave Ole Nanny .
change 70 earn enough e put IN the new craps
and buy some mere chickens, bat my new coat and
hat Will remain in the store till next winter.
am very much pleased with the signs
OF growth of the club; there have been
many new members enrolled since the
first OF the year. The membership cou-
pom which we print on this page every
Sunday should be a big help to you in
getting new members.
You can clip the coupon out and send
IL 10 sumo AltVIu NIlom you mink VIII
be interested in the cause and let him
I'LL it in and receive a membership but
ton. Let those who are about to become
members understand fully that there is
no expense attached to joining The Wash
ington Herald Optimist Club. Tell them
that It is conducted for their benefit:
that the comfort and inspiration derived
from contact with rheaVfui ond bonn,.
people win be Of great value to them in
the daily life.
Many OF the members are making
collection OF the Sunday optimist pages,
sand they should be very valuable 10
look back over at some leisure moment,