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Show Rev. and Mrs. E. W. Ellis (missionaries of our American Board for many years at Lintsing, nearby) joined us in Japan, much to our delight. They have been in America nearly five years on account, of ill health. They came on to Tehchow with us after a few days in Nojiri. Mr. Ellis was of the greatest aid in helping to move William about.. We used a light chair, and so he was able, to get around on the steamer not a little. The Ellises take up work in the Hospitals., and, as they have the language, it will be a great help. Mr. Ellis' main work will be along religious lines and aiding in the business department. As the Board could not send them back in these times of financial stringency, friends in the United States and China have financed this venture of faith. We are also fortunate in having other additions to the force- Miss Reed has returned, and Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, Mkis Turner, and) Miss Jevne, are all valued additions. The last is a friend of Oak Park days- an accomplished and consecrated nurse, who is evidently going to well fill her niche as co-worker with Miss Sawyer. The latter continues her energetic work with the Chinese nurses-a class of five graduating two weeks ago, and scattering to several provinces. Dr. Lois Pendleton and Miss Sawyer held the fort in our absence with their wonted combination of professional ability, interest in folks, and versatility. We hear that a physician will be sent from the home base soon to this part, of the firing line. While much work in medical as in other lines can be turned over to our Chinese staff, for the' present experienced doctors are necessary, if medical work of quality is to be done,, and nurses and doctors trained. During May I made use of ah opportunity to take some special professional work in the. Peking Union Medical College (Rockefeller Hospital) and while; it was a busy time, it was most harpful. While dining one evening there with some; newspaper men, came the word of the "capture.' of a. whole train of Chinese and foreigners by Shantung bandits at Lincheng. Thus does our province of Shantung get a. bad name. Much appeared in the home papers concerning this incident, and all China was stirred. However this affair had its political, aspects. Since then politics and intrigue have held sway, and President Li is hardly the de' facto head) of the government any more. This great republic is a peculiar one-but meantime the great bulk of this, democratic people keep on with their tasks as before. They have been here a few thousand! years, and their worth and momentum will keep them going far into the better centuries of the future. In our endeavor to make a, "dent" in the ignorance of the four thousand year old city of Tehchow a branch dispensary was started in the heart, of the city in April last. A number of the leading men urged that this be done,-quite; a contrast to the time early7 in our work when the American consular representative was insulted in this very place., and quite different from the more recent, times when some of the same leading men petitioned trie authorities, to have the missionary work eliminated. The need for this, city work is the greater in view of the hospitals being a. half mile distant from, the city wall. After much Searching and waiting, a good location was secured (at $5.00 per month) and preaching and teaching go on in a. large waiting room while patients are being; seen in adjoining rooms. Meat and women are treated on alternate days. This is a venture of faith, the whole work (Chinese physician, nurse, janitor, drugs and supplies;) costing only about $50.00 per month more than the receipts, Most ctf the patients are very poor, many not being able to pay at all. We boldly mention this; new effort as some friend Of China,, or some society, may wish to hold preferred stock for a month or so. Dividends assured. One day our Peking medlical class was; invited to the camp of General Feng, "the_ Christian General," to see a sham battle. There were; some 30,0u0 soldiers, engaged in the conflict, and it was interesting that- the capered enemy were; all Japanese, (so disguised). General Feng is most democratic, and takes, an interest, in the whole man. As he was in the field hospital, I heard a medical attendant ask him whether a, "wounded" Japanese should also receive first aid. The! pleasant-faced six-foot general replied, "Why, of course; why not?" To him a wounded man was a human being. One Sunday later I was. asked to speak to a large, group of his artisans-men trained in the army to make rugsi, soap, towels, shoes, clothing, etc. An interesting audience, but what, a noise they made; as a substitute for singing ! But I sympathize as I sing not. |