WOMEN
Ancient and Modern

 
London Daily Sketch
April 13, 1932

Shri Meher Baba, the "Messiah" sat on a revolving chair in a studio in Kensington.

Mr. Edward Merrett, the sculptor, placed, with infinite exactness, a piece of clay the size of a peanut on the clay bust before him. "Keep it up" he said, "now look up to the roof." The "Messiah" was sitting for his portrait, a rare excursion for this mystic, to whom Gandhi made a pilgrimage and who is still labouring under his seven-year vow of silence.

His shock of black hair stood out from his head like the wings of an Assyrian God, his sharp, beak-like nose pointed skywards, his clear-cut features in sharp silhouette. Sitting there, but for his flowing white robes and new brogues, he might have been another D'Artagnan.

And, without breaking his vow, we were able to carry on a long discussion (by means of his board) on women — ancient and modern.

"They say," I began, "that woman is a drag on man in his attainment of divine grace. All the saints you see..."

But the prophet broke in, "Ah, no, woman can play an important part in the development of divine grace. She is man's equal. So long as she is true to herself all will be well. But when once she surrenders to her surroundings, you understand, the function of marriage falls. It is then you have divorces."

"Then the vow of celibacy which the saints undertook...?"

"It is unimportant. Some men marry, others may remain single, but a man is not spiritually more backward because he has married.

"A woman by her love can inspire him to know the truth. But she must develop love and not lust. This is the key to happiness."

And just then Mr. Merrett took up a piece of clay again, and once more the "Messiah" looked heavenwards through the skylight.