Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/966

 strictly abstained from interfering in politics, Mr. Gandhi answered, "I do not think so but, if you are right, the less Christ in that was He." (Daily Telegraph.)

Col. J. C. WEDGWOOD, M. P.

Ooe does not feel it blasphemous to compare him with Christ; and Christ, too, one suspects, gave infinite trouble to reasonable and respectable followers. For Gandhi is a philosophic anarchist—a new edition of Tolstoy, without Tolstoy’s past and a Tolstoy who has long since subdued Nature and shrunk into simplicity. (The Nation.)

MR. BLANCH WATSON

The West is watching the people whose high privilege it is to the world that the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth are practicable. Gandhi is a born leader, and all sorts and conditions of people are seconding him. These millions of men and women are carrying the fight for independence to the high ground of the spirit, and their goal is a free India. And India freed by such methods will mean a free world! (The "Sinn Feiner" of New York.)

BENJAMIN COLLINS WOODBURY

When shall there be again revealed a Saint, A holy man, a Saviour of his race, When shall the Christ once more reveal his face? Gautama left his bode without complaint, Till weary, hungered, desolate and faint. He sank beneath the bo-tree with his load, As on the Path of solitude he stood; And Jesus died to still the sinner’s plaint. Lives there a man as faithful to his vow? Mahatma to a bounded race of men? Aye, Gandhi seeks his nation’s soul to free; Unto the least, Ye do it unto Me! Hath Buddha found in peace Nirvana now; Or doth a Christ walk on the earth again?


 * "Unity," Chicago.

MR. BEN SPOOR, M. P.

Who and what is this man of whom it can be said as it was said of one of old that even his enemies "can find no fault in him"? His bitterest opponents unite in tributes to his transparent sincerity, moral courage, and spiritual intensity. (One can, of course, disregard the irresponsible comments of certain members of the British Parliament whose cloudy prejudice obscures judgment—their remedy of "hang Gandhi" has just that weight which a pitiful bigotry ensures). Even Sir Valentine Chirol, while of opinion that Gandhi is "more unbalanced," suggests that he has "increased in spiritual stature." Some folks believe Mahatmaji is