[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Peiyang Woman's Hospital, Tientsin, China.
Dear Miss Turner;
Winter days are so cold and sad here. Air is full of war rumors. People are rushing here and there as if they know nowhere to go. Suffering is acute this winter. When condition is unsettled often one's temper would be out of tune. With all my inward feelings I am just as helpless as millions of my countrymen who have no voice whatever in this never end war. China of today is like France just before her revolution. Country is ruled by afew [sic] warlords who quarrel among themselves yearly. We people have asked our friendly nations to stop in selling ammunition to these warlords. But the mighty dollar semms [sic] to be more powerful than human voice. Inspite [sic] of these happenings one must have faith that better days are coming.
Your cheerful letter came and I was must refreshed by it. One is happy to know that the other side of the world is in harmony. The new laboratory must be wonderful. Our Nankai laboratory is almost as good as yours. However students are allowed to be in it only for work and study. Our professors have not caught the spirit of play yet. Then Nankai is a coeducation institution where there is little college life in comparison to a college entirely for girls. Your description of an English botanistmakes [sic] one realize that the gentleman of any nation is the gentleman of the world. Altho. I have not the fortune to meet this delightful scholar I can well impagine [sic] what an inspiration he was to those who came in contact with him.
In the coming year we hope to carry out these programs. We have secured a Dr. Brown to do health work among our students for us. Dr. Giang another Michigan graduate is my coworker. She is taking up much of my hospital work. Thus I am relieved to do more work at our new quarter in another part of the city. With three of us we would do more surgical work also. Just now we are unable to go to country districts. We have a big car which we planned to use as a travelling clinic. Then I hope also to do more writing this coming year. Our hospital incurred a debt some years ago and I am gradually paying it off. The sum was only of six thousand dollars. At end of the fourth quarter I hope to pay off this debt. Then our next program is the building of an uptodate [sic] hospital in place of this old house. As it is now we have two requirements of a good hospital, they are sun shine and air. Our building is delightful in spring and summer. This program alone would make much of my time in getting people interested enough to give to such a cause.
I have not given up my hope in getting my niece to be trained as a dentist. We are in need of a dentist in our work. Our work in this branch will be devoted entirely to children of school age. Ofcourse [sic] I want to have my niece to have at least two years of college before studying her profession. The girl is doing some tutoring in primary work now in order to get her travelling expenditure. She has applied for a scholarship at Michigan University. Her chance might not be so good for she is only a high school graduate. The university prefers graduate students. I want her to come when her mind is most receptive.
We shall be indeed happy to see Miss Purington in China. I have heard of this from Mrs. Evans in town. As soon as I have more time I would write a personal invitation to ask her to stay with me during her stay at Tientsin. I have now a nice little place just a short distance from hospital. Spring is a good season. Do not come in winter for it is too cold and windy. I hope before long you would be able to pay me a visit.
Dr. C. Y. Chu my assistant is at Detroit now. She is taking some practical work at Woman,s Hospital. She is very timid and shy. I doubt if she would be able to do much travelling in America. After a year at Detroit I hope to arrange for her to go to Philadelphia. She has not enough English to master postgraduate studies yet.
This will reach you too late to say Merry Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. nevertheless [sic] this letter brings you much of my loving greetings.
Yours lovingly,
Me-iung Ting.December 10, 1925.