The Washington herald., 1911-01-08

L
horror of 1t all, our newspapers would
probably be tear-drenched every day.
! Fortunately we are otherwise constituted.
Optimism realizes, however, that most
of this fearful budget Of evil results
from ignorance Of eternal laws, and that
| we have no right to saddle upon an all
wise Deity the fruits of our own sad
hlunderingS
| 1t is the aim Of optimism to drive out
darkness by kindling the torch of knowl-
| edge, to crowd out evil by increasing
| the good, and to assume toward life.
however harsh it may prove. a brave,
loving, and uncomplaining attitude.
That the world is as good a place to
| dwell in as 1t is to-day we owe to the
self-sacrificing efforts Of those who have
| preceded us. and surely it is our duty to
| add our mite to the common stock OF
goodness ere We pass hence.
Says Amiel:
ITO enjoy ones individual efforts for
the increase of good in the world-this
| modest ideal is enough for us. To help
| forward the victory of good has been the
| common aim of saints and sages."
ARTHUR W. BEER
When night uprises clothed in storm
and gloom. optimism lights the taper of
| hope. and the day breaks forth gloriously.
There are three kinds of knowledge:
through the senses, through reason. and
! that which We get through the soul. The
knowledge acquired by the soul Is opti-
msm, and needs no verification.
Optimism is the fountain that to the
sunshine leaps.
1t is a light-limbed stag that gladly
| springs from crag to crag.
1t is the lily sending out her petals fair
above the mud.
1t is the sparkle-crowned wave
| 1t is the gentle lips of earth: the soft
| low forest hymn; the whispering of the
brook: the play OF the wild wave: the
| wood birds song: the stir Of the pines:
earths perpetual choir; sweet harmony;
every cord strung the heavens.
It is a rainbowed shower.
| 1t is a gift won by blood-not tears.
Gods open page is beside her shining.
1t is the caress of a baby's dimpled
hand.
1t teaches that service is sweeter than
achievement
| 1t is the compass and guide to love
and unselfishness.
| 1t is the "quickening'' to feel for others.
1t is endurance with unshaken conf
dence always turning her face toward
hope and God.
Optimism never has to pay interest to
| trouble.
III loves give ana create.
1t is the spirit Of eternal youth.
1t is wanton happiness.
1t is love that never faints or fears.
! II is the big winner in every fight.
1t means to love each day of life to its
| very fullest.
1t means upgrade-getting to the top
and helping others to climb. no matter
how steep the hill
She hangs on her breast a mirror clear,
,,-h; ;al,
Her upward glance is like the free
| sweep of an eagles wing.
1t is the Te Deum Laudamus blown
from the altar.
1t is the rays of the far sun. that sends
his shining to our distant hearts CLEANS
Of the grand conception Of God.
1t is mans bright armour. his breast
plate and spear. his trophy and wreath.
1t is the brave music in the din of strife.
1t is the firm lip, and uplifted eye, and
hews out of the rocks that daunt thee,
a fair, white effigy.
ALLIE SHARPE BALCH.
To be a true opumist means to pos
sess the true virtues Of Christianity, for
how can human hearts be attuned to the
interest and welfare of their being,
how can souls commune with souls except
by the inspiration Of motives higher than
human knowledge?
The potent principles which nurture the
optimistic soul can only emanate from a
divine source, making practical the true
Christian religion which controls the des-
tiny of man.
1t means more than the transitory hap
pineSs of this life, ii looks beyond the
grave. and we live in the sublime at
mosphere Of that great anticipated peace
of soul and rest eternal. The optimiSt
separated from a belief in the Supreme
Power becomes as a well without water,
as salt without it's savo:.
1t means the molding of the wayward
life into ideal citizenship. influencing for
good the lives of others by the object
lesson of our own, and thus the world
becomes what God would have us make
it-a better place in which to live.
HENSON d. HICKS.
We greet you everywhere,
And kiss your sunny brow.
The angels clasp your hand
When life is ebbing low.
Act we'll a noble part,
The weak may learn from thee
Kindly words and good deeds
Will live IN memory.
MONA ANDERSON.
Optimism is the quintessence Of kind
ness, which brightens our daily round in
life. 1t springs from Christ himself.
Like the clear sparkling water which
oozes from the sand beneath the spring.
SO the attributes of optimism efioresce
from the Almighty. broadening our souls
and awakening within US the exalted
knowledge that everything which exists
is ordained for right Optimism is a di-
vinely wrought and hearty reliance upon
God and his promise Of salvation, with
the faculty of anticipating with cheerful
expectancy, future earthly success and
happiness as well. A happy readiness to
overlook the faults of our fellow-man and
place upon his actions q good construc-
ton, the disposition to seek always. the
well-being and comfort Of others, and a
strong desire to alleviate suffering and
promote happiness to all mankind. In
other words, optimism is the love of
God, implanted in the hearts of his
creatures, planted by the Heavenly Gar
dener himself, for no other purpose than
to do his bidding, which is: To have
love and Christian good will for all men.
MATHlLDA CRAIG.
There isn't a man in the whole wide
Who is quite as glad as am.
The proudest monarch from gorgeous
To the tinseled throne of Siam.
The blood leaps clear through my .throb-
bing veins,
And the bird songs In my ears
Like the wedding bells Of the universe,
And I haven't a place for tears