The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-27

gelic word the startled shepherds heard
was. Fear not" There In the lonelss
fields of Bethlehem-"Fear not" These
words contain the secret, the wealth of
optimism"-no fear: just love. charity.
and brotherly kindness. The Babe OF
Bethlehem, whose eyes opened 10 the
days dawn on a manger brought TO
men the only real hope they have ever
known-the present fuu OF promise. the
future life fun Of realization. Is II not
enough TO make US find the beauty, the
good, IN all things, and TO show the
world by our optimism that We believe
what We say We believe? I do believe
that the Kingdom of Heaven ('-the
wealth OF optinism'D is Just where We
are; just as close TO US as our work Is.
And the gate OF heaven foptmism is
open 10 all who try TO do that work per-
fectiy: ard the whole beauty OF the
world is ours if we look for H. Lord.
for Tomorrow | DO not pray" Hearts
that possess this wealth of optimism let
/ the Tomorrow rest in Gods hands and
( trust IN Him just for to-day.
Be still. my soul.
And. Ike an innocent child, smile in
Gods face"
ALLIE sHARPE BALCH.
| Among the many signpOsts on the OPP
timists road 10 health. activity stands
/ foremost. for the optimist know that 30
/ be constantly doing is an important ele-
ment Of health. Just as work one form
OF activity. keeps the body refreshed and
! the brain clear. so idleness becomes a
source OF ills. both real and imaginary.
To let the mind be inactive, doubt, Worry.
and trouble. tho enemies OF optimism,
creep in and impair the health OF tbs
/ mind. One can put the brain to work by
! thinking right and this in itself is one
/ step toward mental health This attained.
/ the heart and body respond with right ac-
,, tons. As Beaconsfeld expressed IL, "Ac-
/ ton may not always bring happiness:
bat there Is no happiness without action"
MARION BURLEW.
/ He who has health has hope, and he
who has hope has everything. Optimistic
1 proyerb. LAURA Y. ALLEN.
/ Even optimists go under q cloud some
times. but they do not stay there: that
| is the health and beauty OF optimism.
A friend said not long ago. How did
yod manage 10 bring up such a large
/ family and preserve your cheerfulness
/
I said, my path has not always been one
! Of roses. and if il had not been for my
optimistic disposition, with a strong faith
and trust In God back Of it. OF course. I
might have given out long ago But
! there are three paths I have always tried
10 follow, viz 'PrIendliness'-those who
/ take this path think well OF others, and
the rule of the road is. every one must
turn the bright side in passing, and no
| hurrying allowed. for people who are al
ways in a great hurry have no time for
/ frieadliness; Joyful work'-here every
one is glad TO have something to do, and
do II well: they think their work worth
doing and are always trying to find some
way Of lettering their skill ar il. Willing
sacrifice'-the people who travel this path
! have not always an easy time. but they
have not forgotten how TO smile. and
often can sing more sweetly than other
folks: they reckon the hardships and diff
ficulties must have good reason; that in
the end. what they have given up viii be
given back to them a thousand times
enriched" Mrs F. L. BARRISGER.
The practice Of optimism aeeomplishes
a twofold purpose for good-it BENEFITS
not only the person who follows its pre-
cepts and principles but as we'll those
who come in direct contact with the
healthy optimist No individual can long
live under the influence OF thinking hap
BY thoughts. taking a proper look at
( things in general. without becoming as
result better al heart and improv-
( ing materially his own physical being.
I Wherever this apostle of sunshine APP
pears life will take on a new aspect. The
melancholy. the gloomy, and the sad will
draw inspiration from companionship
with him who has long since discovered
that the spring Of joy is in entertain
! ing the best thoughts OF humanity and in
considering that losses by death form
part of an infinite plan. Misfortunes
make for the perfection OF character
strength. When optimism has ceased TO
be infantile, selfiShness, so long a rodent
! eating up the crumbs OF charitable mo-
tives, will die OF starvation. To seize
every opportunity 10 assist fellOW-cree-
lures BY sympathetic words and generous
acts will cease 10 be a cultivated art.
| The exercise OF noble impulses Will be-
come as necessary TO contentment Of
mind as food is essential 10 sustain life.
When eharitableness toward others can
no longer be manifested. the feelings will
die OF thirst, and the human frame Will
become as a vacant house, left 20 time
and the elements to destroy without
mercy. LOUIS YARNUM woULFE
Have you ever met an optimistic dys-
peptic? And on the other hand have
you ever met a dyspeptic optimist? OF
course. YOU have not. The idea of the
one is just as preposterous as the other.
If II is true that indigestion makes Us
pessimists il is equally true that pes
simism makes us dyspeptics. Just as
surely as we begin 10 think that this
is the worst possible world. and that the
demon of ill-luck follows close on our
trail. our digestive organs lay down their
oars. Then we become more pessimistiC.
which in turn brings on more Indigestion.
until we have worked ourselves into a
caIamitous state BY this time. too, our
nerves have Joined in the strike and We
find ourselves in possession OF one or
those waspish. complaining dispositions
that we admire so much In others.
Now. look at your Optimist. He does
not have any uneasiness about the grief,
misery, or misfortune that tomorrow IS
holding over for mis- delectation. because
ne knows that there will probably be
another tomorrow TO bring recompense,
and If there 1t not. why, no matter.