Hazrat Maulvi Nooruddin - Khalifatul-Masih I — Page 276
PERSONAL REMINISCENCES Hadrat Maulw i Nur-ud-D i n ra — Khalifatul Masih I 276 conveyed his direction when he did, for with the death of the Promised Messiah as on May 26, 1908, the Grand Roll of Honour of his companions was finally closed. On that day of stark tragedy and overwhelming sorrow I was in Lahore and escorted the blessed remains of the departed Leader to Qadian, where, on the following afternoon, Hadrat Maulaw i N u r-ud-D i n ra was acclaimed Khalifatul Masih , and all members of the Movement then present in Qadian, myself included, swore allegiance to him. During the remaining period of my college career I visited Qadian frequently, spent a part of the summer vacation there and regularly attended the Annual Conference. I was thus privileged to become personally known to Hadrat Khalifatul Masih ra and was the recipient of many gracious kindnesses and favours from him. After my final degree examination in April 1911, I went home to Sialkot and having spent some weeks with my parents moved to Qadian in June. Hadrat Khalifatul Masih ra was still an invalid and spent the day in his sitting room, giving lessons, transacting official business, seeing patients and receiving visitors. The injury on his right temple had become a permanent sore and was dressed every day. After the doctor’s visit he remained lying down for a short while, and one of his pupils gently massaged his limbs. He was not yet able to go to the mosque for the daily Prayer services, which were consequently held in his sitting room for his convenience. Shaikh Muhammad Taim u r, his favourite pupil and protege, led the services, Hadrat Khalifatul Masih ra keeping to a sitting posture. Only four or five pupils formed the congregation. When the call to Prayer from the nearest mosque was heard Hadrat Khalifatul Masih ra directed