Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/356

 266 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES

observed, was delivered in Hindi. After thanking Mahatmaji Mtmshi Ram for his great kindness to mji boyg to whom he gave shelter on two occasions and acted fts father to them and after stating that the time for action had arrived rather than for speeches, I pro- ceeded : ! owe a debt of gratitude to the Arya Satnaj. I have often derived inspiration from its activity, I have noticed among the members of the Samaj much self-sacrifice. During my travels in India I came across many Arya Samajists who were doing excel- lent work for the country. ' I am, therefore, grateful to Mahatmaji that I am enabled to be in your midst. At the same time it is but fair to state that I am frankly a Sanatanist. For me Hinduism is all- sufficing. Every variety of belief finds protection under its ample fold. And though the Arya Samajists and the Sikhs and the Brahmo Samajists may choose to be classed differently from the Hindus, I have no doubt that at no distant future they will be all merged in Hinduism and find in it their fulness* Hinduism like every other human institution has its drawbacks and its- detects. Here is ample scope for any worker to strive- for reform, but there is little cause for succession. SPIRIT OF FEARLESSNESS

Throughout my travels I have been asked about the immediate need for India. And perhaps I would not do better than repeat this afternoon the answer I have given elsewhere. In general terms a proper religious spirit is the greatest and most immediate need. But I know that this is too general an answer to satisfy anybody. And it is an answer true for all time. What, therefore, I desire to say is that owing to the religious spirit being

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