The Washington herald., 1910-07-31
By E. L. sTRAuGHAN. Leader.

By r. L. STRAUGHAN, Leader.
I thank you. Mr.. Editor. for the honor
which you have bestowed upon me; ]
thank the members OF the Optimist Club
for the pleasure which they have given
me in their expressions Of thought
thinking Of others. forgetting ones self. "
The studious attention 70 all the outward
proprieties and courtesies Of life is not
so effectual a safeguard in keeping one
from all that is misjudged and unbecom-
ing, in speech and conduct, as the spirit
Of genuine benevolence in the heart. Our
true greatness begins, not when we think
more OF ourselves, but when we think
more Of God. more Of duty. more Of max
ing others happy.
The way to God is by the road OF man.
Found they for Heaven near humanity.
Love thy seen brother as myself; thereby
Thou lowest Him Unseen. who is All"
Ye gave that cup Of water; I was sick;
With him We succored; I was languishlng
In prison with the broken hearts ye
cheered;
Clothing my poor; was the babe We fed;
was she widow whom We visited
Share my Joy now, who helped my Father
then;
Enter we in.
Charity,
Mercy. the meekness. taught He; for
Loves sake
Utmost remuneration"
Sir Edwin Arnold.
am glad 10 say that our Camp Good
WIZ fund has reached the point where
we are reasonably sure OF making
donation Of a round 800 10 that worthy
and beautiful charity.
Remember that August u is the last
day for contributions. The last payment
% the treasurer OF the summer outings
committee will then be made. and a very
interesting and helpful chapter OF The
Washington Herald Optimist Club will be
closed. Next summer il is hoped that we
Will return 10 this charity with renewed
interest. 50 that the optimist tent at the
camp will be a permanent Institution.
Many Of us will still be writing and
working for the club then-others or US
viii have dropped away from the work,
for various reasons-Optimists still. but
unable TO take part in the active work Of
the organization.
We trust that the vacant places may be
filled and that the club membership will
gradually continue 10 Increase. The ad-
dition OF five members this Sunday is an
encouraging sign. There are some OF
you, know. who are continually working
10 bring in new members. The motto for
1919, THE Growth of Optimism" has
borne much good fruit Probably hun
dred new members have sent in their
names to receive membership buttons
And this will not include the many who
read our Sunday page, but who for vari-
Gus causes have not yet Joined.
Camp Good VIII Is the richer nv
friends. for your earnest endeavors, and
there is no thanks so sweet to you.
know. as the thought that you have done
something for the least Of these"
Charity" exemplihed by good works IS
a crown TO the man or woman. Thank
God for the Optimist Club" writes one Of
my correspondents, and I want to add.
THANK God for the brave and willing
hearts and hands who have made this
charity possible"
Whole volumes might be written on
charity" II has been the subject for
these columns on three or four occa-
sions. Practical charity embodies one Of
the deepest characteristics OF the true
optimist. Not only to live cheerfuuv
and helpfully. but 10 have the great.
abiding love Of fellow-men-the love that
is willing to work and to sacrifice that
others may benefit.
Optimists do not spend their Tina
merely in looking on the bright side of
things; on the contrary they work in
order that there may be a bright side
optimism means activity. not passivitv.
II IS easy enough TO sit down and con-
template the beautiful things OF life:
the real test OF mans character is in
his ability 10 make things beautiful To
help to do the worlds work. 10 lend a
hand wherever hand Is needed-that IS
The true philosophy OF optimism.
The charity Of the optimist should he
come proverbial, synonymous.
Next Sunday the subject will be THE
Useful Life or, II you want to Dur n