Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/975

 APPRBOI ATIDN8 737 ·only can real understanding and sympathy come, so only can that confidence be engendered which is an essential pre·requisite of all work of amelioration. His non·co-operationist followers seem in places to have mixed up his humanitarian work with politics and so suffered a check. In the Mahatmals eyes no political rights will be of the slightest use to a community which is the prey ol great social failings, and work for Swami can never reach any success with- out simultaneous work for great social reforms. But violent political excitement is not a favourable condition, tor such an- tagonism ot government and its olirinials is only to be expected to the activities of hosts of young pioketeers who are pledged at rhe same time to embarrass and even destroy the ordinary adminis- ~tration. The educational ideals of the Mah itrna have not yet received a ·clear expression. To compulsion even ol rudimentary education, he must be averse. The higher sciences and arts, the specialised terms, historical research or economic enquiry with their glorificatiou of machinery and wealth in its varied forms, will find no room in his simple scheme. Ol the necessity oi introducing one language tor common use in India he has been for long a persistent advocate. He has chosen Hindi for the place of this lingua franco. With characteristic earnestness he has collected funds tor the purpose ot spreading a knowledge ol this language and has sent out enthusiast- ic teachers to all parts ot India, The non·co-operation turmoil may have for the time overshadowed this activity. Perhaps, too, the bulk of educational workers in India has DOG yet accepted the Mahatma’s conclusions in this regard, and for this reason his eHorts on behalt ot Hindi have not been co-ordinated with the educational work ot the country generally. The writer ol these lines is not of Mr. Gandh1’s political follow- ers or a disciple of his in religion. But he claims to have known him for some years and to have been a sympathetic student ol his teachings. He has lelt near him the chastening edects ot a great personality. He has derived much strength from observing the workings ot an iron will. He has learned from a living example something of the nature of duty and the worship due to her. He has occasionally caught some dim perception ot the great things, that lie hidden below the surface and of the struggles and tribula- tions which invest life with its awe and grandeur. ' An ancient Sanskrit verse says:-" Do not tell me of holy waters or stone ima- ges; they may cleanse us, if they dc, after a long period. A saintly man purifles us at sight".--Survey Graphic.