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Virchand Gandhi, a Gandhi before Gandhi Bipin Doshi & Pankaz Hingarh* received his recognition primarily for his speech in the first ever World Virchand Raghavji Gandhi, a con- Parliament of Religions in 1893, where temporary of Swami Vivekananda, he represented Hinduism. But we too was a great exponent of Indian hardly know that one more Indian culture. Although a legend during legend at the same event boldly his time, not much records are expressed his patriotism by defending available on his invaluable contri- Indian culture and Hinduism and repre- butions. He, alongside of the sented Jainism - he was the charismatic Swamiji at the Parliament of World and captivating Virchand Raghavji Religions in Chicago in 1893 cor- Gandhi. His captivating speech rected the false and perverse received rounds of applause. A true impression of India as created by patriot is someone who feels or voices the Christian missionaries. expressions of patriotism, love, devo- Referring to the glory of his moth- tion to one’s country. VRG displayed erland’s cultural traditions, he also his patriotism, love and devotion for said, on the other hand, “If that mother India and its spiritual heritage. (Indian) culture was purchasable, His speech echoed the true spirit and England would have purchased it, culture of India. He received equal adopted it. But it has not hap- attention as did Swami Vivekananda. pened, it cannot happen.” Bhagubhai Karbhari, a renowned scholar who was editor of Prajabandhu, hen we speak about Hindu Patriot and Samlochak newspapers, philosophy one eminent wrote in 1910 that Virchand Gandhi Wname emerges in front of us, was felicitated with a silver medal at the that is of Swami Vivekananda and we parliament. VRG delivered 535 lectures all know that Swami Vivekananda in the USA and Europe and was nation-

*Dr Bipin Doshi, a physician, and Pankaz Hingarh are Jain scholars and India Committee Members of the Jain Association of North America, Virchand Gandhi Committee.

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ally and internationally felicitated with and independent, I affirm that we should many medals. seek to establish and for ever maintain VRG was admired by personalities peaceful relations with all nations of the such as Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya world.” Today this statement appears as Tilak, Mark Twain, Governor Lord a prophecy that Mahatma Gandhi Reay, Col. Watson, Herbert Warren, (1869-1948) proved in attaining India’s Mrs. Charles Howard, Dr. Paul Carus, freedom with peaceful means. Alexander Fullerton, Miss Lilian The Indian Postal Department Whiting, Annie Beasant, H.S. Olcott, recently issued a stamp and brochure to Swami Vivekananda, Chief Justice commemorate him. A coffee table book Govind Ranade, High Court Justice Sir compiled by Dr Bipin Doshi and Priti Narayan Ganesh Chandavarkar, Shah, titled Gandhi before Gandhi, of William Pipe, George Francis Train, V. selected speeches of VRG in the USA Gasenapp, and many others. The Indian and Europe, has also been released by National Congress Narendra Modi, was founded in “If we were a nation in all that that Chief Minister of word implies, with our own 1885 in Mumbai. Gujarat. government and our own rulers, with VRG, Ranade and our laws and institutions, I affirm that Virchand Chandavarkar we should seek to establish and for Raghavji Gandhi were key members ever maintain peaceful relations with (August 25, 1864 - of the party. all nations of the world.” August 7, 1901) Virchand was born in an Gandhi was a visionary too. He talked upper middle class merchant family of about economic and political freedom Mahuva, Gujarat. His mother had had a five decades before India became inde- series of auspicious dreams before his pendent. In one of his speeches to the birth. His parents were very pious by American public he declared: “You nature. VRG graduated with honours know, my brothers and sisters, that we from Elphiston College in 1884. During are not an independent nation, we are his preparation for solicitors’ examina- subjects of Her Gracious Majesty, tion, VRG and MK Gandhi were in inti- Queen Victoria, the ‘Defender of the mate contacts. From My Experiments Faith’. But if we were a nation in all that with Truth, Mahatma Gandhi’s autobi- that word implies, with our own govern- ography, we learn that VRG and ment and our own rulers, with our laws Mahatma Gandhi were together for their and institutions controlled by us free experiments in dietetics. VRG used to

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give assistance to MK Gandhi by telling him from going abroad. One of the him different stories about barristers. He vows of a Jain saint is not to travel tried his best to get briefs for MK across water as it is tantamount to vio- Gandhi. VRG was a great exponent of lence against sea creatures. Since he Indian culture, religions, and a polyglot wanted Jainism to be represented at this knowing 14 languages, and was scholar conference, he trained and deputed 29- in Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, year old, charismatic Virchand Raghavji Christianity, Western philosophies, Gandhi. Yoga, Indian economics, international The parliament was held at the trade, etc. It is noteworthy that at the Columbus Hall of the Art Institute of age of 21 VRG became the first Hon. Chicago with more than 7000 delegates Secretary of the Jain Association of of different nations and religions partic- India in 1885. ipating. The con- For the 1893 The parliament was held at the ference lasted 17 Parliament of Columbus Hall of the Art Institute of days. It was domi- World Religions, Chicago with more than 7000 nated by English- delegates of different nations and distinguished per- speaking Christian religions participating. sonalities were representatives, invited as representatives of various who delivered 153 of 194 speeches. religions on a common platform for the Opportunity for the leaders from other first time. Param Pujya Acharya religious traditions was limited, Vijayandsuri (Muni Atmaramji) was a although significant. Twelve speakers world famous Jain saint who could see represented Buddhism, 11 Judaism, 8 ages ahead of his time. He was born in Hinduism, 2 Islam, 2 Parsi, 2 Shintoism, 1821 CE in a Kapoor Khatri family. 2 Confucianism, 1 Taoism and 1 Being a versatile, far-sighted Jain saint- Jainism. Christianity dominated. Many scholar, and author of several learned Christian leaders declared theirs as the treatises, he was invited to participate in best religion and that one can’t have the first ever parliament held in entry in the kingdom of heaven unless Chicago, USA. But the principles of one is a Christian. Faith in one God and right conduct for a Jain monk prevented the sacrifice of Jesus to wash the sins of

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. – Confucius

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man was highlighted often. To this the West has mistakenly instigated war, extent it was fine but many speakers in we praise our friends from the East who an over-enthusiasm attacked the beliefs pray to God saying, ‘O God, forgive and traditions of other religions. them as they do not know what they are However, there were many Christian doing.’” speakers like Prof. Robert, Wolivunski, Many representatives from India were Henry Infield, George Hood Don not allowed to speak until towards the Boardman who appreciated the oriental close of the session, with a view to religions and also the depth to which holding the audience till the end. Prof. they have reached. The organizers had Chakravarthi, Annie Beasant, H even expressed a desire to hold the next Dharampala, Virchand Gandhi and parliament at Varanasi in India. Rev. Swami Vivekananda were among them. Chepin admitted, “We want to learn, sit- VRG told the parliament, “This spec- ting at the feet of tacle of learned those gentlemen, Many representatives from India were leaders of thought full of wisdom, not allowed to speak until towards the and religion who come from close of the session, with a view to meeting together the East”. The holding the audience till the end. on a common plat- chief of the parlia- Prof. Chakravarthi, Annie Beasant, H form and throwing ment, Barrows, Dharampala, Virchand Gandhi and light on religious Swami Vivekananda were among said in his wel- problems has been them. come speech, a dream of Muni “Motherland of religions, pure water of Atmaramji. He has commissioned me to rivers of India, disciples of Prince say to you that he offers his most cordial Siddhartha Buddha, those who are congratulations on his own behalf, and enlightening Asia, we welcome you.” on behalf of the Jaina community, for Eminent Methodist Church speaker Rev your having achieved the consumma- BW Ornate clarified, “Lots of misun- tion of that grand idea, of convening a derstandings by Christians are dispelled Parliament of Religions. I wish that the by orient scholars. They have realized duty of addressing you on the history that ‘goodness’ does not come with and the tenets of the Jaina faith had colour.” President Bonney, in his con- fallen on that able person than on me. cluding speech, remarked, “This was a The inclemency of the climate, and the conference of friendship and not a distant voyage which one has to under- ground for battle, even if any one from take before one can come here, have

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prevented that able Jaina from attending on Jainism, but abusive comments on this grand assembly and personally pre- Hinduism and Indian culture was intol- senting to you the religious convictions erable to him. His expression was of the Jainas. You will, therefore, look echoed in the parliament, which not upon me as simply the mouthpiece of only displayed his patriotic love for Muni Atmaramji, the learned high priest India and its religions but also estab- of the Jainas in India, who has devoted lished him as a known name in the his whole life to the study of that USA. Thereafter, he was termed as the ancient faith.” lion of the season. Let’s take a look at He said, “I represent Jainism, a faith his speech: older than Buddhism, similar to it in its “Before proceeding with my address, ethics, but different from it in its psy- I wish to make a few observations. This chology, and pro- platform is not a He said, “I represent Jainism, a faith fessed by a million place for mutual older than Buddhism, similar to it in and a half of its ethics, but different from it in its recriminations, India’s most psychology, and professed by a and I am heartily peaceful and law- million and a half of India’s most sorry that from abiding citizens”. peaceful and law-abiding citizens”. time to time the He expounded to most un-Christian them what this universe is; whether spirit is allowed freely here, but I know there is God as the creator of this uni- how to take these recriminations at their verse; what is the ultimate purpose of proper value. I am glad that no one has life and several such other things. He dared to attack the religion I represent. explained to them Navatatva, It is well that they should not. But every Shathdravya, Chargati, Panchavratha, attack has been directed to the abuses Moksha, Nyayavad, Anekantvad etc. existing in our society. And I repeat now what I repeat every day, that these Unjust and Inhospitable Criticism abuses are not from religion, but in spite On the 25th September 1893, of religion, as in every other country. Virchand Gandhi was to further discuss “Some men in their over-ambition,

We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive. – Albert Einstein

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think that they are Pauls, and what they Himalayas to Ceylon, and, without think they believe. These new Pauls go exception all these calumnies proceed to vent their platitudes upon India. They either from the missionaries or the go to India to convert the heathens in a English officers. We accord them their mass, but when they find their dreams rights as we do even to the tiniest ani- melting away, as dreams always do, malcule the right to live and be happy in they return and pass a whole life in their own way, if they let us alone, but abusing the Hindus. Abuses are not when we find that these little creatures arguments against any religion, nor self- are annoying us, we have to brush them adulation, the proof of the truth of one’s aside. The statements of these mission- own. For such I have greatest pity. aries made about the Hindus, their reli- “If the present abuses in India have gions and life, are never an admirable been produced by the Hindu religion, illustration of their methods and zeal. the same religion had the strength of When I first came to know in this producing a country, from mis- society which “We accord them (missionaries) their sionary sources, rights as we do even to the tiniest made the Greek that in India animalcule the right to live and be historian say: ‘No happy in their own way, if they let us women threw their Hindu was ever alone, but when we find that these babies into the known to tell an little creatures are annoying us, we Ganges and that untruth, no Hindu have to brush them aside.” people threw woman ever themselves under known to be unchaste’. And ever in the the car of Jagganath, I doubted whether present day where is there a chaster in the blackest and most intolerant days woman or a milder man than in India? of the Christian Church, any villainous The oriental bubbles may be pricked, priest ever invented more bare-faced but the very hysterical shocks sent forth falsehoods or malicious slanders like from this platform from time to time these.” show to the world that sometimes bub- He corrected the false and perverse bles may be heavier than the bloated impression of India as being the land of balloons of vanity and self-conceit. maharajahs, tigers and cobras. He nar- “It has become an article of faith with rated an incident from King Akbar’s life most of the orthodox Christians that the and praised him for respecting all other Hindus are liars. All sorts of abuses are religions. He spoke as an Indian first but heaped on the people of India from the kept Jainism at his heart. When one con-

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sciously suppresses individuality by expressing our views in the USA against proper physical, mental, moral, and their systems, and their attacks and mis- spiritual development, one becomes sions in India. No, honestly we will try part and parcel of the immutable course to be diplomatic. But it was VRG who of nature, environment, and ecology and as a true patriot at the parliament retali- never suffers, said VRG on Jain yoga ated to every attack on India, Indian cul- philosophy. ture and specially cleared the false myth Gandhi said, “It is an astonishing fact created by fanatic Christian mission- that foreigners have been constantly aries. His captivating speeches were on attacking India and in the face of all this the fundamentals of Hinduism, aggression the soul of India has stood Buddhism, Jainism and Indian culture. vital and watchful. He also spoke on a Her conduct and He was the first to tell the Western plethora of sub- religion are safe people about the unknown life of jects like Indian and the whole Christ in India. By his scholastic international trade world looks at research, he tried to prove that at his system, Indian young age Jesus Christ came to India India with a steady economic and and learnt a lot from Indian religions gaze.” He added, and its philosophy of compassion and industrial outlook, “Cultural distinc- justice. ancient history of tions, agriculture, Indian civilization, art, artistic skill, literature, good con- science of eating, yoga, concentration, duct, means of knowledge, science, hos- hypnotism, astral vision and astral body, pitality, feminism, love and respect - all occultism and vegetarianism. these are found in India in quite a dif- He was the first to tell the Western ferent form. If that culture was pur- people about the unknown life of Christ chasable, England would have pur- in India. By his scholastic research, he chased it, adopted it. But it has not hap- tried to prove that at his young age Jesus pened, it cannot happen.” Christ came to India and learnt a lot Today India is a democratic and inde- from Indian religions and its philosophy pendent country. Still can we imagine of of compassion and justice.

Is man’s civilization only a wrappage, through which the savage nature of him can still burst, infernal as ever? – Thomas Carlyle

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VRG’s forceful speeches and his fear- geted VRG, as if their religion and less yet courteous expressions created a Christian mission was challenged. VRG deep brilliant image that the American made it clear that his remarks were not people were magnetically attracted against Christianity but were against towards him and at their request VRG fanatic Christian missionaries who were prolonged his stay for two years and presenting wrong picture of India and was invited twice later in 1897 and its religions. 1899. VRG made his mission to educate The Literary World, Volume 51 (Page the Western layman about India and its 60, 1895) wrote, “Virchand Raghavji religions since Christian missionaries Gandhi, BA, attacks missionaries in under British rule had misrepresented India, charging them with misrepresen- Indian culture. He delivered as many as tation both in regard to the religion and 535 lectures mainly in Chicago, Boston, the lives of the natives, and in regard to New York, Washington in the USA, and their own alleged self-sacrificing life.” England, France, Rev. Addison Parker commended, “He A Boston Germany and impressed me as one the brainiest and Transcript report other European most stirring of the representatives of said, “He is an countries. At all the Far East. I know of no one except earnest and serious these places he him from whom I would prefer to speaker, carving was well listened, hear facts concerning the life and deep into the felicitated and pre- thought of the great people he philosophies of represents.” sented with India, of which he medals. After the parliament he became is one of the most able exponents that famous in the USA but at the same time has ever visited America.” The New many Christian fanatics began seeing in York Times described the personality of VRG a future threat. The people in the VRG as “wearing a turban of yellow, West began admiring VRG and were signifying knowledge, and a robe of eager to learn more about the oriental purple, portraying purity and activity, philosophy. Virchand Gandhi.” Buffalo Evening Christian periodicals were flooded Times said, VRG “preaches the uni- with analyses on the speeches of VRG versal brotherhood of man. He is much and his attack on Christian missionaries farther advanced in esoteric philosophy in India (The Review of Reviews, The than the Western theosophists, and gives Monist etc). Some seemed positive and far more lucid explanations of the orient some were negative. Some fanatics tar- teachings. The Hindu is decidedly the

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lion of the season.” wrote on topics of social and cultural Rev. Addison Parker commended, reforms like education for women and “He impressed me as one the brainiest custom of repenting. VRG translated and most stirring of the representatives many publications, including The of the Far East. I know of no one except Unknown Life of Jesus Christ in English him from whom I would prefer to hear from French in 1894 from an ancient facts concerning the life and thought of manuscript found in Tibet. And one the great people he represents.” “He should possess a copy of his scholarly was the most important delegate from translation. India to the parliament of religions,” In those days, sea voyage was consid- Miss Lilian Whiting, a renowned writer ered unholy and VRG had to face unjust of Boston, said of VRG. criticism. At the same time, his vegetari- VRG’s immense success was covered anism in the American cold surprised by the leading Swami newspapers and Herbert Warren, a religious enthu- Vivekananda, who periodicals of the siast, abandoned non-vegetarianism wrote from 541, and adopted the Jain religion. He took USA: New York Dearborn Avenue, notes from VRG’s lectures and wrote a Times, St. Joseph book on Jainism. V. Glasenapp, a Chicago, to the Gazette, The well-known German scholar, wrote Diwan of Junagadh Jamestown New his doctoral dissertation on the Jaina in 1894, “Now York, Editors Doctrine of Karma and acknowledged here is Virchand Bureau, Chicago VRG’s influence. Gandhi, the Jain Daily Sun, whom you knew Chicago Herald, Chicago Suburban well in Bombay. This man never takes Star, Light of Truth, Cincinnati, Buffalo anything but mere vegetables even in Times, The Illustrated Buffalo Express, this terribly cold climate and tooth and Morning Star, Buffalo Evening Times, nail tries to defend his countrymen and Buffalo Express, Buffalo Courier, The the religion. The people of this country Evangelist, Evening Post, Rochester like him very well. But what are they Democrat and Chronicle, The Rochester doing who sent him over? They are Herald, Rev. R. A. White, Chicago, trying to outcast him.” Addison Parker Pastor of leading Herbert Warren, a religious enthu- Baptist Church. siast, abandoned non-vegetarianism and VRG wrote many articles and books adopted the Jain religion. He took notes in Gujarati as well as in English. He from VRG’s lectures and wrote a book

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on Jainism. V. Glasenapp, a well-known as he was seen as a future threat by a German scholar, wrote his doctoral dis- few fanatic people. Whatever may be sertation on the Jaina Doctrine of the truth, the untimely demise of two Karma and acknowledged VRG’s influ- heroes - VRG and Swami Vivekananda ence. Hon. E. B. Sherman Master in the - proved tremendous loss for the Chancery of the United States, Circuit nation. Otherwise both must have con- Court, wrote on VRG, “It has rarely, if tributed much more and Mahatma ever, been my good fortune to meet a Gandhi’s mission would have acceler- man whose reading and culture have ated and we would have been inde- been so wide and varied, and who, pendent much early. VRG wanted to withal, has so sweet, sincere and teach- continue his activities for a long time able a spirit as Mr. Gandhi”. E. Allen and to accomplish much more but Richardson in “Strangers in This Land” unfortunately he could not, as this bril- mentioned about liant and prom- One of the US periodicals wrote the parliament and while paying tributes to both of them ising young man, VRG’s interview when VRG and Swamiji died in 1901 full of hopes and with the New York and 1902, respectively, “The influence aspirations, died Times. VRG had of Vivekananda’s philosophy has at a very young eventually been kept alive by his disciples by age of 37, on attained bar at law founding organizations whereas, it is August 7, 1901. in both India and a matter of great pity that no attempt Today whatever is has been made to keep alive VRG’s Britain. He had available about memory!” won the Piggery VRG is possibly case and got the slaughter house just 10% of his contributions to the removed from the sacred shrine of Jains country and the religion. called Samet Shikhar. He also resolved Swami Vivekananda and Virchand the Shatrunajay Tirth pilgrimage tax Gandhi had their own huge fan fol- issue and got it abolished. lowing. Swami Vivekananda’s work VRG’s death today also remains a became well-known but unfortunately mystery. From a 1902 letter of Mrs. not much of VRG’s! One of the US Howard in Open Court we learn that periodicals wrote while paying tributes VRG’s demise was due to haemorrhage to both of them when VRG and of lungs. However, we learn from Swamiji died in 1901 and 1902, respec- VRG’s descendants and local folks in tively, “The influence of Mahuva that he was given slow poison Vivekananda’s philosophy has been

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kept alive by his disciples by founding with his friends Chief Justice Mahadev organizations whereas, it is a matter of Ranade and Sr. Narayan Chandavarkar. great pity that no attempt has been Ex-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi made to keep alive VRG’s memory!” (Congress president) with top Congress Today only 10% of VRG details are politician Vadilal Chitrabhuj Gandhi available due to a gap of 100 years. In visited VRG’s house and met Dhiraj India nobody maintained a detailed his- Mohanlal Gandhi, the grandson of tory of VRG and his contribution to VRG (a key person of Hindu India and the Indian society.” Mahasabha, Mumbai) and paid As a reformer in the Western countries homage to VRG. he established the Gandhi Philosophical Virchand Gandhi lectured on the Society and the Society for the political and industrial outlook in India Education of in Large Hall of As a national figure he attended the Women in India Indian National Congress session William Science (SEWI) under held in Pune as the representative of building on whose banner sev- the then Bombay province in 1895 and December 19, eral Indian women was an early leader of the Congress 1898. His another went to the USA along with his friends Chief Justice international par- for higher studies, Mahadev Ranade and Sr. Narayan ticipation as all- the School of Chandavarkar. India sole dele- Oriental Philosophy, and the Jain gate was at the international confer- Literature Society in London. He sent ence of commerce in 1899 where he Rs 40,000 and a shipload of grains from lectured on the trade relations between the USA to India during the worst the USA and India. famine of 1896-97. Modern research about VRG reveals As a national figure he attended the that at several instances Mahatma Gandhi Indian National Congress session held was misunderstood as V R Gandhi. in Pune as the representative of the In a June 13, 1931 letter, Mahatma then Bombay province in 1895 and was Gandhi clarifies to Miss Emelia Mac an early leader of the Congress along Bean of Chicago when she mistook him

Every civilization is, among other things, an arrangement for domesticating the passions and setting them to do useful work. – Aldous Huxley

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as VRG, “Madam, I have your letter for who lectured at Blavasty Lodge, where which I thank you. You are giving me HS Olcott presided over the function credit of which I am wholly unde- (Old Diary Leaves - Henry S Olcott) serving. You are thinking of another Mr. and they interacted with each other and Gandhi my name-sake but in no way in his diary he mentioned VRG as a related to me. He and I were, however, “distinguished Jain”, but Josephine friends and lived together for some time. Ransom seems to have mixed up MK You will be sorry to hear that he died Gandhi with Virchand Gandhi and many years ago, leaving an only son. It wrongly mentioned that Olcott was was he who visited America and made introduced to MK Gandhi and this time many friends. I have never had the priv- also MK Gandhi was in South Africa. ilege of visiting your continent.” Old Diary Leaves by HS Olcott men- Mark Twain, father of American liter- tions, “A profound impression was cre- ature, was too impressed by Virchand ated by the discourses of Professor GN Gandhi and his philosophy. His news- Chakravarti and Mrs Besant, who is paper Buffalo Express had widely cov- said to have risen to unusual heights of ered VRG when Mark Twain visited eloquence, so exhilarating were the India. VRG displayed his hospitality influences of the gathering.” Besides and accompanied him to Byculla, those who represented our society and Mumbai Jain temples on 25 January, religions, especially Vivekananda, VR 1896. In his ‘Mark Twain on Biblical Gandhi, Dharmapala, captivated the and Hindu Miracles’, GB Singh states public, who had only heard of Indian that Virchand Gandhi had met Mark people through the malicious reports Twain on his visit to India but somehow of interested missionaries, and were ‘Inventing Mark Twain: The Lives of now astounded to see before them and Samuel Langhorne Clemens’ by hear men who represented the ideal of Andrew Hoffman mistook Virchand spirituality and human perfectibility Gandhi as Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma as taught in their respective sacred Gandhi, at this stage of Mark Twain’s writings. travel, was living in South Africa. Said one Chicago editor: ‘We have HS Olcott was lawyer and the co- been for years spending millions of dol- founder and first president of the lars in sending missionaries to convert Theosophical Society. Pyarelal in his these men, and have had very little suc- book ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ also brings to cess; they have sent over a few men, and our notice that it was Virchand Gandhi have converted everybody.”