The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-11
Charles Wagner, Whom
Roosevelt CommendS,
to Visit America.
President Said: 81 Preach
Your Book to Ny
Countrymen.
Author an AlSatian, Trans
planted in Later Life
Into Paris.

r. ROM the great metropolis and
sovereign see OF modern civilizs-
Il ton, from the worlds heart of
sophisticatiou. from Paris the complex
city" there has come plea for a re-
turn to the simple life
Says the author OF this appeal:
"As the sick man, wasted by fever.
consumed with thirst. dreams in his
sleep OF P fresh stream wherein he
bsthes. or OF a clear fountain from
which ne drinks in great draughts. so.
amid the confused restlessness OF mod
crn life. our wearied minds dream OF
simplicity"
A return TO the simple life is no new
adjuration to the high-strung people OF
modern civilization. As far back in
deed. as the old Roman civilization the
remedy was urged upon the blase mem
bers OF an artificial society who had
wandered far from the ways II nature
. But Charles Wagner's message is more
than a plea for the simple life" The
bread he gives is the bread he feeds
upon"
Provides Remedy for Evil.
The philosophy OF Wagner Is pervaded
by a faith too wide for doctrine and
n benevolence untrammeled by creed
In pointing out the evils of the artificial
life, he, at the same time, suggests the
remedy. long sought. His writings are
addressed TO the people of France, but
90 apt are they to the conditions OF the
present day. we Americans seem TO hear
the counseling Of a Moses arisen in our
midst.
Theodore Roosevelt has written Wag-
ner IN terms Of highest appreciation OF
the value and timehness of his prayeI
for simplicity. The author of The
Strenuous Life has said to the author
OF "The Simple Life: Il preach your
book TO my countrymen."
Pasteur Wagner Charles Wagnerl is
an Alsatian, from a hamlet of thu
VosSes between the rich fields OF Bur
gundy and the fertile plains of LOr'
raine. He was born at Wibersville, IL
the district of Chateau Salins. old de
paTtment OF the Meurthe (since annexed
TO the German empire). on January ,
1S52-on a Sunday morning, while hi.
father was preaching in the v!llag'
church. in after life, amid the busy
scenes OF Paris. bis mind constantly re
verted TO the green valleys OF his child
hood days. winding away to the low
horizon. Where the blackbirds answe
one another from hillock TO hiTock. TIT
trout leap in the mOutnsin brooks: I
soft light envelopes everything; where III
heart is Gained. the mind rested
Early Education.
He was sent to the primary school o
the village for education and thence q
the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1863 he tool
his degree OF B. A and inscribed himsel
as a student OF theology in the Univer
city Of srasbourg. While at the uni
versity the writings of Spinoza fell int
his hands and IL became a continue
feast for lis soul to plunge into tn
pages Of the incompatible Ethics" Hi
belief in God became OF so much i'm
portance that he lost sight or the nc
cessity Tor a belief in man.
It was not until return TO HIS hom
after a long absence. where he saw HI
mother simply. faithfully resigned TO he
duty. as be had always known her. an
accomplishing her daily work with
tranquil energy which nothing wearie
or discouraged that the disquietude i
his mind. which during his universit
career had risen 70 the extreme heigh
OF despair, was Gained and he returne
20 his chfldhood's belief and simpl
trust.
After a brief period spent as assis
tant 70 an aged pastor OF a little vii
lage at the foot Of Ste. Odile Noun
tain. Wagner accepted a position s
Remiremont in the French VosEe.
where he remained until 1852. BY thi
time he had accustomed himself {
preaching and Iecturing In French. II
then made his entry into the grea
world Of Paris. where he opened a Sur
day school. giving only few lecture
OF evenings.
Vastly Increased Audience.
In 1885. he. at the reiterated instance
OF friends, commenced preaching in II
the Rue des Aruuebusiers. No. 6. Frol
these simple beginnings his congregs
zion has grown and developed. The a
fention his sermons attracted force
him from the quaint. obscure little "a
per chamber chapel Of the Rue des A
oJebusiers 20 the handsome had Of {
DAY on the Boulevard Beaumarchais.
Wagner IS best seen in HIS pulpit
tall. broad shouldered. commanding III
ure a Bismarck in size, with massiN
head that in its strength looks az
A. might have been cast OF iron. And h
sermons. uttered In his fun resonal
voice, have a wholesome ring in the
TOO. something OF the clashings OF Il
heroic metal They rouse and start
hike a call 20 arms; men lift their hea'
under them and straighten their back
He IS a practical humanitarian. an
therefore. as he sees 81. q practic
Christian. He deals with the presel
and future, not with the past. civil
EatIon," he writes. SIS no more to
Brought back 20 its beginnings than II
food time OF a river in the peaceful va
ley where Rlders meet above its source
The aspiration TO simple living" sa,
Wagner. means the aspiration 10 fuif
the highest human destiny. All Of men
RsitatioRs for greater Justice and moi
Hight have been also movements towaI
q simple life: and the simplicity OF olds
times, IN manners, arts and ideas. st
Keeps its Incompatible value. only b.
! cause II achieved the setting forth
high relief OF certain essential sent
! ments and certain permanent truths.
'Tf Il is impossible for us 20 be simp
IN the forms our fathers used, we ma
k4smain simple. or return to simplicity,