The Message or A Cry of Anguish — Page 88
88 HADRAT MIRZA GHULAM AHMADAS calamitous conditions and abject poverty. Before that, we had to traverse through the wilderness of anguish with grief and our days of comfort were ended by indigence. Our feet knew nothing but bruises and our hearts the anguish of grief. Many a night passed when our bed consisted only of low ground and our walking space was nothing but thorns. Thus, we would dispel our sorrows by speaking of (the favours of) this Government and foresee cheer- ful times with the glad tidings of this just Government. All this until Allah fulfilled our desires and brought this Government for our good fortune. Hence, on account of this Government, we received such glad tiding as made us cheerful by the day and removed anxiety from our hearts until we were delivered from fear and destitution and were changed from a state of penury to prosperity. All kinds of bounties poured in from all around and strangers were bonded in friendship. We succeeded in attaining our goals after experiencing failure. During the Sikh rule we were driven out of our homes and exiled into the wilderness of home- lessness and we were tried by wishes unfulfilled. When Allah favoured us with the British Government it was as if we found spiritual treasures that we had lost. Its arrival became a source for our honour and blessings and its replacing [the Sikh rule] brought success and prosperity. We experienced happiness and bliss under this Government after living through hardships for quite a long time. We were raised from the low and the debased to the status of the chiefs of nation and were delivered from terrific ordeals and grinding hardships. We were anxiously awaiting these blessed times even as the eyes are eager to see the moon of Eid. We would raise our hands in prayer for this Government on account of the