New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-25
Mr.. WAGNER'S EARLY DAYS
He Tells Influences That Led to
1.-THE Simple Life"

Atlantic City, n. j.. Nov. "a (speciaD.-Before an
audience that occupied every bit OF room IN ST
Paul's Church here this morning, the Rev. Charles
Wagner. of Paris, author of The Simple Life"
for the first time since he has been in this coun-
try told his hearers OF his early life and training
and how he came to write the book. John Wanna
maker of Philadelphia. had charge of the Thanks
giving Day services. introduced Mr. Wagner On
the pulpit platform were many ministers of this
citv.
II am going to ask Mr.. Wagner this morning.
said Mr.. Wanamaker. not to preach a sermon. for
if all the that were preached were TO
be pasted together. how many times around
the world they would rea ch 1 going to make
a request of him that he tell something of his
early life. of those happy boyhood days of the
time when he getting the knowledge that has
since made him famous and how he came TO write
The Simple Life" Whether it because he
really felt the book needed or whether it was
just TO crafty a desire to write book"
In the course of his address Mr.. Wagner said:
AS look toward my childhood days I look tow
ard time that was full of riches and joy; yes
but king in those days, for my being craved
the beauties of nature and I had them all about
said to me Boy, 60, look and listen I vas free ZEE
the fishes. and. as I had a religious heart the
whole universe was TO me great sanctuary: I
Even e WqEshpPed the moon The entire s, glory I OF
light from above filled me with a great feeling OF
a wR the the bh M moon a Ts @ IN
down on the ground and WorShpped the moon.
behind the curtains. bur he did not correct me
He let me alone. for he knew that the Father who
spoke to the lad by the and the moon would
soon. or when he able understand the great
teachings, speak to him in the higher, truer Ian
guage. My father made me rich in my youth and
shall always be boy, looking at the glory and
beauty in the stars and the MOON and would not
give up all Of this for all the wealth of the world
make them kneel down in houses built by nren, but
let them go out in the open in Gods church. where
oVe ana religion come from. In these days IL s not
the big chest and the fine face or figure that makes
the man. It's the character. When | was young
man l lived among fighters for re"ion They
hst-a regular boxing religion.
1t was not long before decided to preach-to
start out and tell others what had been taught me
But was lone preacher for a time. l was the
preacher in the wilderness and then my congrega-
lions grew larger and larger, and finally some one
'smple life and started to write books. When
countries l cried aloud looking toward the heavens
above: oh my dear father, If you can put hear
the sound OF your sons voice to-day as he gives you
oh. If yol within sound of my voice have children:
this country | find that beneath its greatness and
goodness there is the true simplicity The other day
your great President of the United States welcomed
head of the greatest peonle in the world, and
though he is of the most intelligent men have
met with strong Will ana force OF character
| found him so broad and tender with the love OF
his family and the people OF this country that
understood at once his powerful and grand sim
plicity 1t is his aim at all times to be true TO SELF
If your children are taught simplicity. they will
understand the higher simplicity In after years and
become the greatest men and women in the country
cross whose sweet simplicity we all SO well under
stand Fill your hearts with love love for me
beauties of nature in every one of which God
speaks to US who so little heed this teaching.