Page:Manshardt - The Terrible Meek, An Appreciation of Mohandas K. Gandhi.pdf/7



The death of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on January 30, 1948, marked the end of an era in India. It brought to a close a period of personal leadership which has had few parallels in world history, and the like of which may never be seen again. A frail, half-naked little brown man was revered almost as a god by millions of Hindus and honored by Hindus and Muslims alike. His word was of more power than the orders of government, enforced by armies and all the administrative machinery of a mighty empire. The world has lost one of the great figures of history.

I first met Mr. Gandhi a few months after my arrival in India, in 1925. Conversing informally at a small afternoon tea, Mr. Gandhi said: “It is my belief that most American missionaries in India talk too much. The most effective way to preach the gospel is to live the gospel. Let your deeds speak for you. Give yourselves in love. Love is the language of the heart which India understands. A rose does not need to preach. It simply spreads its fragrance. The fragrance of religious and spiritual life is much finer and subtler than that of the rose.”

Mr. Gandhi’s ideas attracted me and I began a study of his life and teachings which has continued through the years. Since Gandhiji was primarily a man of action he has left behind no