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ffUSIC TIRADE
VOL. LXI. N o . 21 Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 373 Fourth Ave., New York, Nov. 20,1915 SING ^OO C PER ES VEA^ ENTS
I
N this specially favored land of opportunity we are facing the sun.
There is light ahead and sunbeams are all about our paths.
The shadows are visible only when we think of the destructive results of a world in arms
across the seas. Shadows, yes, deep and dark, for there is brave and suffering humanity avail-
able for cannon-fodder—masses of humanity swept along to supply the ever growing appetites of the
great war machines.
And here—in America, light, activity, happiness, busy factories and bright prospects, yet the
school of cranks who are always with us say gloomily, Look out, there is danger ahead; we are going
to have trouble.
One man figures out that within three or four years this country will go to the demnition
bowwows and join the procession of mournful ones, head down and shoulders bent.
These pessimists are the kind who can never see the sun. They always grope around in
the gloom and darkness. They are of the type that say, if you are feeling in fine fettle to-day, watch
out, because some terrible calamity will occur before to-morrow's sun rises. They tell you if you are
doing well in business, be careful, because to-morrow may be one of terrible disaster.
Why should we not enjoy to-day? Why fill it with gloomy prophecies of to-morrow?
There are people who cannot attend a gathering of jolly ones without introducing a somber
spirit. They choke good humor and blithesomeness and they are the ones who say: Tread softly,
something is going to happen.
They love to tell of their pains—their sadness and defeats.
But why cram our minds with disagreeable thoughts?
The brain is clearer and the hand is surer when the mind is in full enjoyment of merited success.
Good, wholesome, optimistic thoughts act as a tonic and build up the whole system.
Fearful thoughts, full of dire predictions for to-morrow, give mental indigestion, but there are
always types of men who are afraid to be happy. They want to feel that there is calamity coming, and
even if sunshine is glinting the present landscape, they think of the time when it is gray and black.
Such a mental condition acts as a hold-back to success.
We should draw a certain inspiration and pleasure from the success w r hich others have achieved.
Instead of permitting the achievements and triumphs of others to become a source of discontent,
it would be far better to have them serve as an inspiration, urging us to the accomplishment of greater
things.
A lot of this so-called pessimism in the world is nothing more nor less than envy, and if we have
the envy habit the only way to get rid of it is to do our work so thoroughly that we can turn our
meager success into a great triumph.
Don't envy others, no matter how much nobler than our own their accomplishments may be.
Emulate them.
Work as they have worked.
Strive as they have striven and we will find that instead of wasting our time and strength in
envying others we will experience the joy of equaling, if not excelling them.
That is the true spirit, and experience, after all, does not become
knowledge until it is fused with thought in the crucible of reflective
Such thoughts the musing fancy weaves
While glints the sunlight on the eaves.