Hazrat Ahmad — Page 55
HADHRAT AHMAD. Samaj Conference 55. In December 1907 the Arya Samajists summoned a Religious. Conference at Lahore and invited the followers of all religions to participate in it. They laid it down as a condition that the advocate of a religion should not make any attack on any other religion and promised on their own part to abide by the rule. The Promised. Messiah was also asked to participate in the Conference. His immediate reaction was unfavorable, as he suspected foul play, nevertheless to leave no room for adverse comment he wrote a paper and sent it to be read at the Conference. In this paper he extended a warm invitation to the Arya Samajists for mutual understanding and observing the utmost possible moderation contented himself with describing the excellence of Islam. Nearly 500 members of the community purchased tickets and attended the. Conference; and following their example, other Muslims also attended in large numbers. But when it came to the turn of the. Arya Samajists, they foully abused the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be on him) and indulged in the wildest vituperation against him. In obedience, however, to the instruction of the Promised Messiah his followers endured this harrowing of their dearest sentiments with patience and nobody even so much as protested against this grave breach of faith. . Financial Commissioner at Qadian. On 21st March 1908, Sir James Wilson, the Financial. Commissioner of the Punjab, visited Qadian. As this was the first occasion for such a high official of state to visit the town, the. Promised Messiah asked all the members of the community present to extend him a welcome and his tents pitched in the grounds of his school. The Promised Messiah also entertained him as a guest. . Since it had been alleged by the opponents of the Promised. Messiah that he was secretly disaffected towards the Government and that for this reason, contrary to the traditions of his house, he did not pay court to any of the high officials of state, he availed himself of this opportunity to dispel this groundless suspicion and himself proceeded to pay a visit to the Financial Commissioner. . On this occasion he was accompanied by seven or eight of his disciples. The Financial Commissioner very politely received him at the entrance of his tent and made various enquires about matters