The Washington times., 1904-11-11
SAYS AMERICANS ARE
LIVING SIMPLE LIFE
Apostle of Peace Wagner So
Declares in a Lecture.
HIS VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT
Tells How His Message to Humanity
Was Developed Through Early
Struggles.

NEW YORK, Nov. u.-After visiting
Independence Hall, In Philadelphia. and
President Roosevelt in Washington, the
Rev. Charles Wagner. apostle of peace.
has decided that Americans are living
the simple life.
He made this assertion in a lecture
on The Simple Life" delivered in Car
negie Hall under the auspices of the
Armstrong Association. Before and af-
ter the delivery OF his message, con
ceived in a quiet Alsatian parsonage
and fostered in the heart OF Paris. a
double quartet OF men from Hampton
Institute sang the songs Of the old
Southern plantations.
Mr.. Wagners appearance marks him
OF the old world. He has only recently
learned English and speaks it haltingly.
He was able, however, TO hold the at
tention Of his audience throughout
IF i seem 10 be an old Frenchman,"
he said, in an apology that preceded his
lecture, Il am real German-AmeriCan
Accidents may happen against your
sweet language. but they are not by
pTemeditation.
IN the social life OF humanity" he
said, there is a plot against new ideas
Young children of ten have the greatest
dimculty in living their lives We do
not give them time tC be young. We
have TOO much ambition and the chill
dren too much TO do. My father gave
me endless liberty as a child and all
the world seemed TO be a sanctuary.
Freedom For Children.
Il used to worship the moon. but my
father did not hinder me. From this
nrst impression kept great love for
what is direct and spontaneous, for ma
ture. / kept the habit TO think by my
self and learned early TO walk in my
own way. II is a great error to suppose
that others can think for US. Let chill
dren be children, is the first rule of the
simple life.
when 1 was young man the theolo-
gians We're fighting. but / determined 10
preach the simple human gospel and TO
put nghting behind me. Aisace was rent
Ia two after the FrancO-Prussian war
but / loved Doth countries and could
not share the passions of either. / be-
gan 10 build a city Of luminous peace
and was like "a piece of hot iron out
OF the fire between the anvil and the
hammer.
To every young man and woman in
the time when the character needs 10
be hammered ] say be silent Do not
speak too much. II Is not healthy. The
time viii come when II is a right and
duty 10 speak.
Il was at first a voice In the wilder
ness. but If you speak the truth YOU Will
soon be no longer a voice in the wilder
ness At first i spoke only to the few
Al nrst ] did not Ike 10 write. Words
seemed cold photograph or warm, liv-
ing speech, but that also is a rule OF
simplicity 10 do what we don't Ike.
Tribute to Books.
Il learned after q while that books
have no limits, can be translated into
every language and become everybody's
friend.
Il am decided 10 stay young, TO be
boy until an old man. in the society OF
good and Warm-heaTted young people. "
Mr.. Wagner said that the simple
Life" was given first as a speech an q
wedding. A publisher heard II and ask
ed 10 publish it,
when 1 saw the words. 'Simple
Lie said Mr.. Wa gner. u ran 10 me
publisher writing the heads OF the chap
ters as i went. / had this book in me
without showing It. This, too. is a rule
OF simplicity. What We know best We
often do not know that We know
''Ihe book fell into the hands OF Pres
ldeht roosevelt, who found IT, nice
having written the Strenuous Life A
puDAsnef wrote me that the President
wanted me 10 come 10 the White H0usa
but L thought j never would come ne
cause 1 did not know English but
4tdfAru II ana speak this English 10
you, and you understand IL or YOU would
not laugh
Simple Life in City.
People say to me, With our sLv-
scrapers, do you think we can under
stand the simple Hfey Simplicity is not
a matter OF floor. but OF heart. You
can have It on the hrst or the fortietb
floor.
Simplicity begins by suffering about
the bad lie We have. / sing nv song
OF the simple life here in thIs aresf
city, like the old prophet in the bodV
OF the great fish, bat IL Is lust a GOOD
place for singing this song. Here In
america the more / look at Won ne
more 1 understand that at the bottom
of your national character is a grand
simplicity
In independence Hall / was struck
by IL. and In Washington. looking an
the White House. nothing similar t0
y hat We see in the palaUiaI houses OF
kings and kaisers. and in talking with
the President 1 found him SO largely in-
telHgenL so strong Of Will. and so warm
hearted and plain speaking. Then 1
felt that simplicity is at the bottom Of
your national character.
stay true TO your traditions stay
simple"