Life of Ahmad — Page 276
THE PHARISEE OF BATALA as 276 where he stayed a considerable time before returning to Qadian. An open letter was subsequently addressed to the orthodox mullahs of India by a number of educated Muslims of Lahore in which they wished the mullahs to hold a debate with Ahmad as on the original and important question under dispute, i. e. , the death of Jesus as and the claim of Ahmad as to be the Promised Messiah, so that they might be able to form their opinion on these matters. A similar letter was also written by a hundred Muslims of Ludhiana. Ahmad as expressed his willingness in writting on August 23rd, 1891. Both these letters and Ahmad’s as answer were published in a supplement to the Riy ad -e-Hind , dated August 24th, 1891. But it appears that none of the mullahs had the courage to come forward in response to these requests within the fixed period of one month. The effect of the debate which had been held with Muhammad Husain at Ludhiana was deep and widespread. The whole of the province throbbed with keen interest and men and women of all creeds and persuasions were set thinking. In Ludhiana and its neighbourhood Ahmad as became the talk of the day. Mullahs spoke of him in their sermons. Christian ministers were agitated in their hearts. A rya Sam a jists watched his every movement and wished in vain that he should be brought to naught. Children and passers- by wondered when they looked at him. Schoolmasters discussed Ahmad as in their vacant periods. Seekers after truth and the righteous in heart followed him