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Show Tientsin, China, Dec. 27, 1911 Dear Friends , Are you wondering where we are and what we are doing? The Boxer trouble is too fresh in all our minds to allow any of us to seem altogether unconcerned, and so we have decided to write to you. As for the political condition itself you are able to get a bird's eye view better than we. You have news from the Associated Press by cable, so what we might write to you would be very old indeed. Most of the wise people we know unite in saying that everything is uncertain, the only certain thing being trouble ahead, fighting, reconstruction, financial diffi cultie s . We were late in returning to Lintsing this fall because some of us waited to welcome Mrs. Eastman's uncle and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Dana K. Getchell, American Board Missionaries of Marsovan, Turkey, on their way home for furlough, and some waited with Dr. Tallmon to meet her sister Edith who has become a member of our station. We were just getting nicely settled in our homes and enjoying our guests. The schools were begun and the hospital opened, and we were all so busy and happy. Just as the week of special meetings commenced-meetings for which we had planned for months-the first word of warning came from our consul. We had known the Revolution was on but had thought of it as so far away that it did not affect us. In the days that followed we sometimes thought we ought to leave, for our station is in the interior two days of cart travel from the railroad, and sometimes we thought we ought to stay by the work for everything seemed so peaceful in our region and in the whole province. Then came a still stronger letter from the consul saying that he strongly advised all women and children to come to the coast at once, and the men to do so as soon as they could arrange their affairs. So we packed up and came to Tientsin all but Mr. Ellis, and here we must stay until it seems wise to go back. The girls' boarding school was dismissed and the hospital closed, but the boys' school continues. As far as we hear from Mr. Ellis everything goes on very smoothly. The Christians were somewhat disturbed because of our coming away but the fact that Mr. Ellis stayed has given them confidence. Ni g ht watchme n are employed. We have always been on friendly terms with the officials so it is easy now to keep in touch with them and they have offered all the help in their power for the protection of the foreigners and their property. We who are here are learning how to work by praying. We ask for the Lintsing church members' special interest in your prayers these days. Many seemed to make progress during the special meetings. We must believe that all things work together for good even though it means the failure of our own cherished plans. Please do not be sorry for us. The members of our own Mission here in Tientsin have taken us in and we are faring royally. We could not pose as forlorn refugees if we wished to do so. Sincerely Yours, Minnie Case Ellis Dr. Susan B. Tallmon Mabel A. Ellis Vinton P. Eastman Florence Cutler Eastman Edith C. Tallmon. |