USA Souvenir 1989 — Page 55
present to you for your consideration knowing or rather feeling confident that you who are so much spiritual than I, so much nearer to God , will answer me in a way that will be for the best. Were it possible for me to visit India I would do so only too gladly. But I am so situated that it seems almost an impos s ibility. I am married and have three children. For nearly two years I have been living a life of celibacy and shall continue to do so as long as I live. My income is not sufficient to justify me in giving up my business as it requires all that I can make to support for my family during my absence. Therefore a visit to India being out of the question it occurred to me that I might through your aid assist in spreading the truth here. If, as you say the Muhammadan is the only true religion why could I not act as its Apostle or promulgator in America. My opportunities for doing so seem to me very good if I had some one to lead me aright at first. I have been led to believe that not only Muhammad but also Jesus, Gautama Buddha , Zoroaster and many others taught the truth, that we s hould, however , worship God and not men. If I could know what Muhammad really taught that was superior to the teaching s of others, I could then be in a position to defend and promulgate the Muhammadan religion above all others. But the little I do know of his teachings is not sufficient for me to do effective work with. The attention of the American people is being quite generally attracted to the oriental religions. The publi c mind, I think is now more than ever fitted to recieve Muhammadanism a s well as Buddhism and it may be that through you it is to be introduced in my country. I am convinced that you are very much in earnest. I have no rea s on to doubt that you are in s pired by God to spread the light of Truth. Therefore , I would be happy to know more of your teachings and to hear further from you. God, who can read all hearts , knows that I am see king for the truth ; that I am ready and e a ger to embrace it wh e rever I can find it. If you can lead me to its blessed light you will find me not only a willing pupil but an anxious one. I have been seeking now for three year s and have found a great deal. God h as bles s ed me abundantly and I want to do 55 his work earnestly and faithfully. How to do it is what has moved me - how to do it so that the most good may be accomplished. I pray to Him that the way may be pointed out clearly to me so that I may not go astray. If you can help me I hope that you will do so. I shall keep your letter and prize it highly. I will get the circulars printed in one of the leading American newspapers so that they will have a widespread circulation and I will send you a copy of the paper. They may reach the eyes of many who will become interested. I shal 1 be happy to recieve from you at any time matter which you may have for general circulation and if you should see fit to use my services to further the aims of truth in the country they will be freely at your disposal , provided of course, that I am capable of recieving your ideas and that they convince me of their truth. I am already s atisfied that Muhammad t a ught the truth ; that he pointed out the way for salvation and that those who follow his teachings will attain to a condition of eternal bliss. But did not Jesus Christ also teach the way? Now suppo s e I should follow the way pointed out by Jesus, would not my slavation be as perfe - ctly assured as if I followed Islam? I ask with a desire to know that truth and not to dispute or argue. I am seeking the truth not to defend my theory, I think I understand you to be a follower of the esoteric teachings of Muhammad and not what is known to the masses of the people as Muhammadanism; that you recognize the truths that underlie all reli g ions and not their esoteric features which may have been added by men. I too regret very much that I cannot understand your language nor you mine ; for I feel quite sure that you could tell many things which I de s ire to know. However, I am impressed to believe that God will provide a way if I try to deserve His Love. Blessed be His Holy name and I hope that I may hear from you and that we again may some day meet in spirit even if we cannot meet in the body. May the peace of God be with you and with those who listen to your words. I pray that your hopes and plans are realised. With reverence and esteem. lam, Yours re spectfully, Alx. R. Webb.