- Elbert Hubbard's Prayer
- ". . . I pray to be Radiant . . ."
- -Elbert Hubbard
-
- Some few years before the turn of the twentieth century, Elbert Hubbard set out to be different and became, instead, a paradox. Victorian America was riding high. American industry and agriculture were producing more than any other nation. Political and military strength would tempt citizens into thoughts of an American Empire abroad. Wealth was within reach for the average, and super wealth was common for the above average.
- Elbert Hubbard was on his way to super wealth as a partner in a soap manufacturing business, but he was not happy. Enough was enough! He informed his friends and family that he had all the wealth he needed and, furthermore, all he wanted. He had an itch to learn, and he set off on an extraordinary tour of the British Isles. This was no mere tourist jaunt. His purpose was to discover life's meaning and as he put it, to visit "the homes of the Good and the Great."
- He wrote about his travels in the "Little Journeys" series. One "little journey" was to the Kelmscott Press and home of William Morris. Morris was also a man of wealth who had enough. Rather than give his wealth away, Morris set about to spread the ideal of quality books and other products and better the living conditions for the average worker.
- This was Hubbard's inspiration! Morris had been called the "Father of Modern Printing." His hand-made books were treasures of art in an age of industrial cheapness. Hubbard would make fine books, too! He returned to America with a new zeal.
- But here began the paradox. He had denounced wealth, but his Roycroft Press in East Aurora, New York made him more wealthy than he had ever dreamed. He brought Morris's ideas of quality workmanship to America, and Americans couldn't get enough. The movement was called "Arts and Crafts," and it spread a simple style of "mission furniture" and "bungalow homes" among grand Victorian opulence.
- Success brought derision. His fine books taught millions to appreciate art and literature, but he was hated by most of the established artistic and literary community. They were quick to pick up on the Arts and Crafts fad, but denounced Hubbard as a fraud and discredited his contribution.
- In his writings, he was the biggest promoter of business, but most capitalists couldn't tolerate his "socialist" practice of giving his 800 plus workers a share of his business. He championed progressive causes such as woman suffrage, feminist issues, animal rights, the environment, and worker safety before the parents of most modern advocates were born, yet he is in some circles only remembered as a friend and supporter of Henry Ford's anti- union practices.
- He wrote more epigrams than any other printer except Benjamin Franklin. Children were warned not to read them and that he and his ideas were a bad influence. Years after his death, important men and women credited him for their successes.
- Critics panned his writing, but his books were constant best sellers and his
- "Message to Garcia" outsold all other publications except the Bible. He knew more about religion than most theologians and practiced an inclusive, universal acceptance of all people. When he disagreed, it was with religious bigotry and superstition. This caused him to be denounced and declared a blasphemer by the religious leaders of his day.
- He built a "church" style building and put his working press in it and called it a "chapel." For this, he was again condemned until he pointed out that a chapel was originally called "a place of printing." Never mind, he enjoyed the controversy.
- In 1915, in an effort meet with the Kaiser and to bring peace to Europe, he sailed on the Lusitania and was lost at sea.
- The most well known printer at the turn of the 20th century is almost forgotten today, as we approach the turn of the 21st century. Perhaps this is another paradox.
- Elbert Hubbard's Prayer
- Some would call this a mission statement, others a prayer. It can safely be said that it is at the heart of the philosophy of Elbert Hubbard.
- "O powers that be - The supreme prayer of my heart is not to be learned, rich, famous, powerful . . . but simply to be radiant. I desire to radiate health, cheerfulness, calm courage and good will.
- I pray to live without hate, jealousy, envy, fear. I pray to be simple, honest, frank, natural, unaffected - to say "I don't know" if it be so, and to meet all people on an absolute equality, and face any obstacle and meet every difficulty unabashed and unafraid. I wish others to live their lives, too, up to their highest, fullest and best.
- To that end I pray that I may never meddle, interfere, dictate or give advice that is not wanted, or assist when my services are not needed. If I can uplift or inspire, let it be by example, inference and suggestion rather than by injunction and dictation.
- That is to say, I desire . . . I pray. . . to be Radiant - to Radiate Life."
- Amen.
Copyright © 1998 by Frank Granger
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