Life of Ahmad — Page 742
BISHOP OF LAHORE AND ISLAM as 742 aimed. On this ground, therefore, again I am not willing to meet him on a common platform. 3. The Mirza Sahib may, as you assure me, have a considerable number of followers, but no one can deny that his claim to be the Messiah is entirely rejected and indeed treated with ridicule and contempt by an overwhelming majority of Muhammadans in this Province; therefore while I, however unworthy I may personally be, am in some sense truly representative of the Christian community by virtue of the office which I hold, the Mirza is not, in any sense whatever, representative of the Muhammadan community. Why then should I consent to meet him on an equal platform? 4. It is necessary to remember that, since my appointment as Bishop of this Diocese my primary work must necessarily be that of attending to the wants of the Christian Church, and doing my utmost to strengthen it and build it up from within in the true faith of God and in holiness of life, and that consequently the work of a simple evangelist (i. e. , of one who devotes his time to preaching to, and in various methods striving to bring to a belief in the Christian faith, those who are at present outside of it) can only occupy a secondary place in my time and thoughts. It is indeed a work to which I am greatly attached, and in which I engage with much pleasure, but when God has called me to