Life of Ahmad — Page 481
as CONFERENCE OF RELIGIONS 481 half to finish the reading. There was a stir in the city of Lahore and everyone was agreed that the essay had carried off the palm at the conference, and the followers of all creeds and sects were unanimous in its praise. Those who wrote the report of the conference estimated that during the time the paper was being read, the audience gradually swelled to between 7,000 and 8,000 persons. In short, this was a great triumph for the Promised Messiah as and the occasion further impressed the minds of his opponents with the superiority of his genius. Even adverse newspapers were compelled to admit that the paper excelled all others which were read at the conference. An English translation of the paper under the title of The Teachings of Islam has met with a specially warm reception in Europe and America. The Civil and Military Gazette of Lahore, dated December 29th, 1896, p. 47, wrote: 'In the religious conference of Lahore held at the Muhammadan College building on the 26th, 27th and 28th, the following five subjects were elected as the main points to be discussed by the representatives of the various religions: (1) On the mental being, its moral and spiritual welfare. (2) What does human existence mean, and how its aim can be gained. (3) The day of resurrection. (4) What our deeds effect in this world and in the world to come. (5) How to