Life of Ahmad — Page 48
EARLY LIFE as 48 and there too we become subject to the great discipline of suffering, from which we learn far more than from the safe seclusion of the study or the cloister. Contact with others is also requisite to enable man to know himself. Whatever views may be held on this, Ahmad as worked at Sialkot for several years to the entire satisfaction of everybody concerned. An Arab, Muhammad Sa li h , once came to Sialkot and the authorities suspected him of being a spy. The district magistrate summoned him for an interview but he knew no language save Arabic. Ahmad as was, therefore, called to be the interpreter—a duty which he performed satisfactorily. Evening classes were started at Sialkot in those days, so that the clerks and readers of the court might have an opportunity of learning the rudiments of English; and it is said that Ahmad as joined these classes and read one or two primers which enabled him to recognise only the letters of the alphabet and read a few simple words. But as he discontinued his studies, it appears he soon forgot most of what he had learnt. At Sialkot, Ahmad as came in touch with Christian missionaries. He held several debates with them. Elisha (Swift?), a native Christian missionary, who lived to the south of Hajipura, once had a discussion with Ahmad as. He asserted that salvation was impossible outside the fold of Christianity. Ahmad as asked him to define the word 'salvation', and explain