Life of Ahmad — Page 566
GROWTH OF THE MOVEMENT as 566 people came from distant places. Meetings were held from December 25 to 31. They began with Ahmad’s as lecture. Then he spoke on the 28th and the 30th. Maulaw i N u r-ud-D i n ra spoke on the 27th and Maulaw i Abdul Kar i m ra on the 29th & 31st. Meetings were held in the afternoon and the speeches were noted down by a reporter and they were published in book form in January 1899. In his speeches Ahmad as explained and emphasized the beauties of humility and meekness. He taught that a hard agressive morality is less beautiful than an absorbing love. He appealed to his followers in pathetic tones that they should work a change in their lives—a change that should become obvious to the people around. They should transform themselves completely and live practically the lives of righteous and God-fearing people. Prophecies and miracles, he said, are no doubt a show of Divine power. They are useful and necessary in their own way. But by themselves they do not go very far. It is really the pure and sublime life lived by a Prophet which draws people towards him and impresses them. Example is better than precept. By coming in touch with him they see the beauty of his life and it helps to ennoble their own lives. His ways and looks reflect the great soul within. His very face shines with a Divine lustre, and people are guided thereby into the ways of purity and righteousness. The greatest miracle of a Prophet is the regeneration of man. He transfroms the sinner into a holy man. That is why Ahmad as repeatedly invited