Padre Ralla Ram of Ewing Christian Collage, Allahabad, met Shri Nathji in 1942. He was so impressed by Shri Nathji’s personality that he invited him to speak to a gathering of Christians, amongst whom were some of the most learned of their padres. The hall was packed. Shri Nathji spoke on the Bible. The audience sat on the floor while Shri Nathji was given a chair.
Shri Nathji’s theme was beautifully illustrated by the parable of the five servants, which he had composed.
There were five kinds of servants. The first kind did not have any master. As a consequence, in times of need, he would turn to several different masters.
The second kind had a master, but he had no faith in him. When a difficult situation arose, he would beg from others.
The third kind had a master, and he believed in him. In times of need he would go to the master and bother him for his needs.
The fourth kind had a master, and, when in need, he would place his need before his master, but once, and, thereafter, wait in silence.
The fifth kind had a master, but he would never place his need before his master. He would tell himself that surely his master knew of his condition, and had the means to fulfil his need. But if he didn’t do so, it was because he liked to see him in the condition he was in.
The fifth kind of servant pleased his master by his acquiescence. And the master gave him a thousand times more than what he desired.
It was the fifth kind of devotee, who said: Thy will be done, to his Master, God, and brought Divine Grace upon himself.
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. The things of the world remained at the beck and call of one who acquiesced in His Will.
The first kind of man does not believe in God, and, when in need, he has to turn to the world.
The second kind believes in God but only outwardly. He has no real faith. In times of need he runs after the people of the world.
The third kind has a genuine faith in God; he is like a spoilt child who wants to have his way and bothers God again and again by repeated prayers and supplications.
The fourth kind is also a genuine believer. He prays to God, but once, when in need, and then waits to see what God gives.
The fifth kind is the greatest of them all, for him nothing exists but the Will of God.
The sermon was full of numerous quotations from the Bible, as well as enlightening examples and verses. There was, above all, that atmosphere of divine self-forgetfulness in which all were absorbed.
At the end of the sermon, Padre Ralla Ram asked the audience whether they had any questions. The reply was: We have no questions–only thanks!
It was thus that members of all faiths accepted Shri Nathji as one of them. Shri Nathji’s ability to speak on all religions with such penetrating power was astonishing. People did not recall seeing Shri Nathji studying books on religion or philosophy. It was as if this divine knowledge flowed out of him, as if it was his own.