Page:The Message and Ministrations of Dewan Bahadur R. Venkata Ratnam, volume 3.djvu/48

 Parent of light and life. May we, while we are here, think and feel as under that pure, all-witnessing Eye!

A distinguished predecessor of mine in this position concluded his learned discourse with the world-renowned name of one whom he judged to be ‘the greatest man’ of the nineteenth century — ‘one who combined in himself more of the rich characteristics of greatness than were to be found in any other man of his time’ — ‘the great and good’ Master of Rugby. It becomes my sacred, if melancholy, duty to open my humble address with the widely respected name of one who has been frequently styled the Arnold of India. On the I5th of July of this year terminated a career which close study and correct appreciation can designate by only one word, ‘glorious.’ The ideals which inspired that life, the principles which governed it, the vigour and devotion which characterised it, the activities which engaged it, the beneficence which resulted from it, the affection and reverence which were elicited by it, have imparted to that life the