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examination. Science was his special subject of study and he had a
vast information in this branch of learning. The rules of Arabic
grammar were on the tip of his tongue, ready for application at
any time and he had read several works in that language. According
to the gentleman who had an intimate connection with him at the
time, "he was as good in Mathematics as in science, as good in
Philosophy as in languages". Almost the whole of his leisure time
was spent in the study of books that did not fall within the college
curriculum, he seldom opened his class hooks outside the college
precincts, yet he never failed in any examination. The secret of his
success was the close and undivided attention that he gave to his
lessons while sitting in the class. He heard the lectures of the
professors very attentively, and all the salient points in them were
noted and carefully grasped. He went up for the Intermediate
Examination in Arts of the Punjab University in May 1883 and his
Class-fellow Mr. Lajpat Rai assures us that at home he never saw
him reading a college lesson or a class book.8 Still he topped the
list of the successful candidates.9
It was he who moved for the establishment of a
Free Debating
Club
for the discussion of questions on religion and philosophy.
The club was formally organised in 1882. Guru Datta was appointed
its Secretary by the unanimous consent of all interested in the Club.
His views, at the time were agnostic and at times his speculations
partook of atheism. All sorts of subjects were discussed at the Club.
The members professed various shades of beliefs, some were
Hindus, some Mohammedans, some Brahmos and some Aryas.
They approached the problems under discussion from the points
of view of their respective faiths. The Club served to create a spirit
of research among the members, each trying to know more of the
beliefs of others. The permanent members of the Club were Sheo
Nath, Lajpat Rai, Hans Raj, Sadananda, Chetanananda, Ruchi Ram,
Dewan Narendra Nath, Hari Kishen, Rameshwar Nath Kaul, &c.
Pandit Guru Datta, being a man of genius, his views were much
esteemed by the other members, and not a few of them were
influenced by the predominating tone of his mind. In fact, he
exercised a profound influence on the life and thought of his class
fellows, and especially those who were his friends.1°
In 1883, Pandit Guru Datta's religious ideas approximated
almost to atheism. He delivered a lecture probably in the middle
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