Life of Ahmad — Page 743
as BISHOP OF LAHORE AND ISLAM 743 serve Him in another way, I must obey His voice. I cannot, therefore, in any case give up from my primary work the amount of time which you desire for the purpose of controversy of this kind. 5. Lastly I think it very important to emphasise a great difference of standpoint between yourself and me as regards the possible results to be obtained from such religious controversy. In your letter you express your desire that "on the result of the investigation we should bow submission to the Holy Prophet who transcends the whole world in the purity of heart, excellence, Divine power, and moral rectitude. " In other words you consider it possible to ascertain the path of true religion and prove conclusively the superiority of one religion over another by purely intellectual controversy. I believe that this view is fundamentally wrong and contrary to the teaching of God’s Holy Word; and that its prevalence in the minds of many in this country is doing enormous injury. I cannot, therefore, consent to give countenance or support to it by any action of mine 171. We believe that religion 171 It should be noted that the Bishop was not definitely asked to accept Islam at the end of the controversy. At the most it was just a desire, a suggestion, not a binding condition of the controversy. Would the Rt. Rev. Lefroy refuse to baptise a man if he came to him convinced of the truth of Christianity by purely intellectual controversy? Certianly not. Was he sincere then in writing paragraph five of his letter!