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Show the American Board "TECHOW HOSPITAL STAFF URGENTLY INVITES TUCKERS EARLY RETURN IN CAPACITY OF GENERAL CONSULTANTS." Would that we were worthy of this confidence. Under the circumstances, and pending developments, we plan to leave before very long. Among other things it may seem wise to tactfully "carry on" that no friction develop between the medical and other arms of the service, which is feared if we are not there. Should it develop that our aid is not needful there we will enter some other door of opportunity. The statistics of the medical work for 1927 show some falling off for dispensary and hospital patients, which is not strange. With the passing of the war scare and the development of health campaigns and our usual branch dispensary work the opportunities are sure to enlarge and be greater than in any past period. The seriously ill of our three million clientele have no other hospital to go to. Though the Hospital does not have the help of the Ellises, who are in this country on account of his health, nor of Dr. Lois Pendleton, who has married, nor of Miss Jevne, detained in America by family needs, Chinese workers are doing their best, and never was there a more loyal staff than that at Tehchow, nor one more desirous of rendering real Christian service. The "Tucker Six". Our Arthur and Francis will return with us, and will likely attend school at Tunghsien, near Peking, as before. William and Margaret, juniors in Oberlin College, will remain here. William's lameness was improved not a little by the operation of last summer. He is managing editor of the college paper and has numerous other jobs to assist in paying his way. It has been an unforgettable delight to have all the family together these few months. Especially have the joys of fellowship with the older children as companions and chums been appreciated. The memories will abide, but, even so, it is not easy for even two physicians to amputate a part of their own family! Both Emma and I have been away not a little for medical and hospital work and on speaking engagements, but Oberlin has been our "home base" since summer. The Gunboat Policy. We quite agree with those who feel that military protection, being irritating to the now sensitive Chinese, is a hindrance to missionary workers, rather than a help. In the safe interior we have never had nor felt the need of such doubtful protection, Tehchow is not far from seaports in two directions (under 200 miles), and missionaries go to China as FRIENDS. If they are true friends why have gunboats? Fortunately the Grand Canal is not 'grand' enough to hold them! Friends we have tried to be, in flood and in famine, in times of plague and war, and friends we wish to be to the end of the volume. Mencius wrote, "Love conquers that which is not love, as water quenches fire." In China, as elsewhere, peace will come when there is realization that only under the reign of law, based on righteousness and supported by the religious conviction of the brotherhood of man, can there be any hope of a complete and satisfying life. Parchment will fail, the sword will fail; it is only the spiritual nature of man than can be triumphant. "London Times" Testifies. There is yet much land to be pos1- sessed in China, and rare indeed is the person who doubts the efficacy |