Lecture Lahore — Page 38
38 British rule, in which we have enjoyed such peace and freedom that it would be wrong to compare even the days under the Sikhs to the nights under the British. This age is attended by both spiritual and material bless- ings, and the beginning of this Spring holds great promise for the future. But, like a freak creature, this age also has many faces: some are ugly and frightful, for they are con- trary to piety and God-realization; and others are blessed and auspicious, for they promote piety and righteousness. The British Government has undoubtedly advanced all kinds of knowledge and learning in this country and has introduced such easy methods for printing and publishing books that nothing like it has ever been seen in the past. Thousands of libraries that had hitherto been unknown have now come to light, and, in terms of knowledge and learning, the nation has been transformed beyond all rec- ognition. But, notwithstanding all this, the practical condition of the people has deteriorated and the seeds of atheism have begun to sprout in their hearts. There is no doubt the British Government has done everything in its power to provide facilities to its people and to bring them justice and security, and it is hard to find anything like it under any other government, but most people have not been able to digest the freedom which is necessary for creating a completely peaceful environment, and, instead of being grateful to God and to the Government, have succumbed to indolence, worldliness, materialism and wantonness. They seem to think that they are going to live forever, and no one has done them any favour, and they