Life of Ahmad — Page 739
as BISHOP OF LAHORE AND ISLAM 739 controversy. We also humbly beseech you not to reject this proposal but to accept it in the name and for the honour of Jesus Christ. We hope that for the sake of that beloved and chosen Prophet of God you will intimate to us your acceptance of our proposal by means of a printed letter. In this request there are no absurd conditions or terms from which reason may recoil. The controversy is to be conducted on entirely civilised principles and is based on good wishes and a search after truth. Moreover when our request to an eminent person like yourself is accompanied with an adjuration in the name of Jesus Christ, we are quite certain that you will accept this proposal, although the time at your disposal may be short, without any alteration or amendment for the honour of Jesus’ name. For we know that if a similar request had been preferred to us by any body in the name of Jesus Christ, we would have looked upon its rejection as a deadly sin and an affront to Christ’s dignity. How can it be expected then of you who lay claim to an unbounded love for Jusus Christ, of judging which we have got this first opportunity'. The Pioneer wrote: 'The letter has a great many signatures, of which the first few names will be sufficient to indicate the widespread interest and expectation