Page:The Pilgrims' March.djvu/58

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36
THE PILGRIMS MARCH

intensely agitated on the question of Mrs. Besant’s election to the Presidential chair of the Congress. Since then he has been working unceasingly in support of the national cause.

There was no man in our political circle who was a more sincere friend and well-wisher of the student community. He was like a brother to every one of them who came to him, helping them with advice, with his money and in every possible way. An ardent patriot who yielded to none in his love for his country, with a heart tender and yet stern and unbending. I wish he had been among our midst at the present moment for Bengal hath need of him. We want his sincerity, we want his courage, we want his love for truth. Let his sacrifice enable us.

What is Jitendralal Bennerjee? I ask the students of Calcutta to realise the truth of his life. Words cannot convey it. The work that he did, the life which he lived, the qualities of his head and heart, all culminating in the grand sacrifice which he had the courage to make—these are more eloquent, than any words that I can employ.

I ask again: what is Jitendralal Bannerjee? I wish with all the craving of my heart that the