New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-29
CHURCH FOR Mr.. WAGNER.
WANANAKER PROPOSES 1T
Pastor Speaks at Union League
Club and BO7cery Mission.

Charles Wagner. the author of The Simple
Life" probably spent his most strenuous night
in America between the time that he sat down
at dinner at the Union League Club. Thirty
ninth-st. and Fifth-ave.. and the address which
he delivered to the drift of the Bowery at the
Bowery Mission. No. - Bowery. after midnight.
lie was received most enthusiastically al the
Fifth-ave. club, but the Bowery men got 10 his
heart.
John Wanamaker. who had visited Mr.. Wag-
in Paris. was the principal speaker at the
Union League Club dinner, which was given
by Robert c. Ogden. He asked that "A commit
tee of ten more be organized to provide Mr.
Wagner with q suitable church I'm Paris. He
had visited M. Wagner in his own domain, and
knew the difficulties under which he ldbored
While no definite action was taken, It was evil
dent from the expressed sentiments of the club
men that something would he done. Mr. Wana-
maker declared that Mr.. Wagner was the only
p man who had ever gone To Philadelphia and
won the hearts of the orthodox Friends. He
said that Levi P. Morton. whose family had
lately been members of the Wagner congrega-
ton, would be glad to be a member of the
committee
He has ploughed the ground said Mr..
Wanamaker, he has sown the seed. and he
has taught America a great lesson. We cannot
do too much for him"
Then resolutions were introduced covering the
sentiments expressed by Mr.. Wanamaker and
those about the board affixed their signatures
Nj. Wagner told of his struggles in Paris in
behalf of the simple life and of his efforts to
better mankind.
The Bowery Mission had been crowded from
early in the evening in expecta ton of the ar
rival of Mr.. Wagner. It was typical Bowery
crowd.
Il like more TO read the faces of men," Mr..
Wse oil hem han in I he
even more than to read good books. Some of
your faces are dark and some are light. If 1
could only sit down with you and have you tell
me your story. How you came here. your yes
terday your to-day and your possible to-mor-
row | am here your friend l am of the
people, l come from the people; l understand
the people and understand you boys. Some of
YOU have come here out of darkness, but you
have come into light Yes you have come into
more than light; you have come into love. No
man Is forgotten here whether he is hungry
thirsty Would that I could press the hand of
each one Of you-would that 1 could press the
heart We need each other. and have TO
love each other"
In words that brought tears TO many Bow
cry rounders eye, he recalled their homes and
their childhood. He said that he would like to
sing to them the song of their larks, song.
which would lead them into "a better, higher
life"
"I have seen many meetings, he said IN
closing but never one like this. II l could only
knovv all the ways by which you came here
I'd be the richest man in the world, because to
know would be IA revelation. The man who has
no bed is in his way, richer than the man who
has two beds because the man who has no
he'd knows Of the world. 1t is ever the old.
old story about the stray sheep being more
interesting than all the rest of the flock If
| could / would break the bread of life with
all of YOU. ! hope ! shall never forget TINS
hour. Never more did feel the calling of the
man who brought the Gospel TO the world
The men who packed the Bowery Mission
bowed their heads They had heard the Word as
they never had before. and they Joined in a
closing hymn with such a vim that 1t drowned
the closing choruses in the neighboring Bowery
theatres.
Mr.. Wagner posed for fashlight photograph,
standing il preaching, while the crowd sang
Wonderful Words Of Life" Rolls and coaeG
were then distributed. and Mr.. Wagner talked
informally with the they disposed of
them. Then he did Chinatown.