Life of Ahmad — Page 567
as GROWTH OF THE MOVEMENT 567 seekers after truth, even his enemies, to come and stay with him for some time and see things for themselves. It was necessary, Ahmad as said, that those who joined his fold should try to live on a high plane of purity, morality and righteousness so that the people might notice the great change in their lives and it might be a better world for all. Now we should remember that meetings are held and speeches are made all the world over. Sons are born, houses are built, schools are established and newspapers are run in numerous places. There is nothing extraordinary in these things. But a little reflection will make it clear that the progress of Ahmad’s as movement is a much more important affair. It is significant and marvellous, having very few parallels in the history of the world. A few years earlier he was an unknown person so far as the world was concerned. He had no wealth. He had no power. He had no followers. He did not want any of these things. He lived on the 'bread crumbs' of others. The moment he was selected by the Almighty and commissioned to carry out the work of regeneration of mankind he was opposed and hated by all. If a seeker after truth came to visit him he was met at Amritsar and Batala by Ahmad’s as enemies, who tried their utmost to send him back; and when he arrived at Qadian Ahmad’s as own kith and kin spoke ill of him and poured ridicule upon him to keep the visitor away from him. The masses as well as their leaders made common cause against Ahmad as and left