[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]226 S. 12th Street,
Ann Arbor, Michigan.My dear Miss Turner:-
I do not mean to neglect my friends. You know how one thing happens after another that a person often hardly has any time to talk to her dear friends. School closed about the fourteenth of June. Right after that I went to Columbus for two weeks. The Methodists had its celebration of hundred years. I was sent there as a McTyeire delegate. I was in the educational building and actually was on the go every minute from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. I made many new friends at Columbus. While I was at Columbus I took the opportunity visiting many public institutions. I cannot begin to tell you the wonderful education I received at Columbus. Every nation was represented - in other words, the world was at Columbus. After seeing what this church has done during the hundred years, one cannot help to feel the power of Jesus Christ. The most wonderful part of the celebration to me is the rising young generation of different nations. As these young people are educated and some of them speak as good English as any American professors.
Perhaps some of them - at least their grand parents were savages. I met three African boys. They are so intelligent and pleasant in their manners. These three boys were from three different tribes. They had native costumes on, but they can speak English beautifully. The world cannot have peace if it is based on might. The peace conference is only paving a path for a greater war in the Orient, because it was based on might. Japan is stronger in army and navy - therefore she got the piece she desired. China is weak in navy and army, therefore she was refused event to have her pleadings heard. I am convinced at least now - the permanent peace must be based on love. As one sees the schools, hospitals - public institutions of the church - one cannot help to say, the church has accomplished a great deal with very little material means. I wish you could have visited the celebration. Many of the people - after seeing much wonderful accomplishment, only say, "it is all so interesting." But I am sure any serious minded student will see more than that.
I cam back to Ann Arbor on the first of July for summer school. Dr. McLean is sick and I did not have any place to go; so I took a course in pathology laboratory work. I tell you it was some work. Every slide was given as unknown and we had to study every bit ourselves and make reports the next day. It was only a six weeks' course. I completed my examination on August the 8th. I was going to Battle Creek. I finished my examination on Saturday. My friend got injured on Sunday. For two weeks I was her maid, her nurse and her doctor. She has gone away for a visit. I am alone now. I have been doing nothing since then. I have been just playing every day. I live as much out-door as possible. I just feel fine. This is a short history of my summer vacation. I may go to Gull Lake where Dr. McLean is spending her summer. There is also some possibility for me to visit New York this fall. If I ever get there I will try to come down to see you.
Miss Turner - it is happy to think that I shall be a senior next year. At the same I feel scared to think of how little I know. I shall have half day hospital work. Most of my lecture work will be in the afternoons. We had about 24 subjects during our junior year. I was told senior year is easy because it is a review of every thing we had during the last three years. I had three good years at Ann Arbor, altho. I do not like the college life here. Some of the professors are very fond of me. I have not made many friends. There are only five women in my class that is including myself. I know the men in my class pretty well. Many of them often tell me that they will come to China, when war comes. One war is just over, another one is coming. I often tell my class-mates of the condition in the Orient. Many American students have no idea where is Peking, Shanghai, Tientsin - they are important to us as Washington, Boston, New York to America. Our school children of nine years old can point out on the map of the large cities of America. The next chapter of this world's history will be of the Orient. So you see besides being a medical student, I am a history teacher.
You know Vong Ling Li, Me-iung Han graduated from Mount Holyoke last summer. They are on their way to China. Vong Ling is engaged to an engineer. They came to America together. Just think, five years they were a girl and a boy with no special training. Now each has acquired a special training. No doubt Vong Ling will be a good wife and mother. Mount Holyoke College has another "light house" in China.
It is so interesting to think of the girls who came with me on the same boat. I met several of time [sic] at Columbus on their way to China. A Miss Wong just graduated from New England Conservatory. She played several piano pieces at Columbus. The people were so amazed at her accomplishment. A Miss Chen sang to an audience of ten thousand people. A Miss Chang - graduate of Wellesley. She took the physical culture courses. She could swim, dance, high jump, horse riding etc. She looks so healthy and strong. I can tell you many others.
I feel China is going to be a strong nation with the coming of this young generation. During my two weeks at Columbus I spoke to many gatherings. Each had something to do there. For the next twenty five years China must send more young people for training in this country. As it is now we have no first class college for women yet. Ginling College is only a college in name and needs many years to mature. Boys are always first. They have quite a number of good universities for them. Many missionaries object our young people to come to America for further training. They do not realize China's millions cannot live on religion only. I realize that our religion was unable to meet the modern situation. But it is hard to convince people that China needs other things besides religion. I often wish that some American merchants would go to China establishing a few big manufactories. [sic] I believe business can be conducted on christian principle also.
I am going out this afternoon. A boy has invited us for supper. He is going to do the cooking. He wants to show us that he can cook besides other things. It is delightful to see that our young men who are educated in this country are different from those educated in England or France. The "American trained" men are more democratic - this [sic] is they are willing to do everything and anything.
Miss Turner, it might be a long time before I write to you again. You know I think of my friends real often. I wish that Mount Holyoke is nearer to Michigan; so I could pay you a visit. I want to have a long talk with you before I go back to China. Letter correspondence is good but personal communication is better. I am sure that I would have more interesting things to tell you next year.
With much love to you dear mother and my beloved teacher, Miss Turner.
Yours lovingly,
Me-iung Ting.226 S. 12th St.
Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Sept 1st, 1919.