Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 234
234 AHMADIYY AT and yet he failed to recognize the truth of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him. He possessed great versatility of mind and the range of his intellect was unmatched among his contemporaries. These qualities were strikingly illustrated in his speeches and writ- ings. His two speeches on the occasion of the Annual Confer- ence of the Movement on 27 and 28 December were listened to with rapt attention not only by the members of the Movement but also by a large number of non-Ahmadi Muslims and scores of non-Muslims who attended the con- ference sessions. His speech on the 27th was a masterly and most instructive survey of the events of the year that had any bearing upon or interest for the M<?vement. If there was time left on the 27th he started his second speech on that day and carried it over to conclude it the next day. If the first speech took up the whole of his time on the 27th, he started his second speech on the following day. His speeches were scheduled to begin at 2. 30 p. m. and generally continued tilJ 7. 30 p. m. or even later. His second speech was devoted to the exposition of some important aspect of the teachings of Islam, and was based entirely upon the Holy Quran, the practice and admonitions of the Hoiy Prophet, peace be on him, and the speeches and writings of the Promised Messiah. Together they constitute a most precious treasury represent- ing the multiple facets of Islam in scintillating and attractive colours. His speeches were intellectual banquets at which those present were regaled to their great deligh. t and enjoy- ment. In that guise he stimulated their intellects, enlivened their facuIties, incited them to climb moral and spiritual heights and sent them home greatly enriched and determined to carry out a spiritual revolution both inside themselves and in the world around them. The experience of his listeners might perhaps b~ described as a moral, intellectual and spiri- tual Turkish bath. Everyone marvelled at the skill that ena- bled him to put forth the profoundest moral and spiritual verities in a language and a style which were easily compre-