Notable Women of Modern ChinaBurton, Margaret E. (Margaret Ernestine)
History
Notable Women of Modern China
Burton, Margaret E. (Margaret Ernestine)
China -- Biography; Women -- Biography
"We always remember the friends in America who for His sake sent
missionaries to help us. Yours affectionately,"
"IDA KAHN."
II
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
When Miss Howe went to America on furlough in 1892, she took with her five
young Chinese people, three boys and two girls; the latter, Ida Kahn and
her friend, Mary Stone. Growing up in China, under singularly sheltered and
happy conditions, Ida had been greatly impressed with the misery of many of
her countrywomen, and early formed the purpose of becoming a physician and
giving her life to the alleviation of their sufferings. Mary Stone had the
same desire, and Miss Howe, coveting for them a more thorough medical
education than was then available in China, took them to Ann Arbor to enter
the medical school of the University of Michigan. Both girls passed the
entrance examinations successfully, even to the Latin requirements; in fact
their papers were among the best of all those handed in.
The four years in Ann Arbor were very busy ones. In addition to their
college work, they did their own housekeeping in a little suite of rooms
in the home of Mrs. Frost. She says that they excelled many American girls
at housekeeping, having regular days for house-cleaning, and always keeping
their reception room in good order to receive their girl friends, of whom
they had many. Occasionally they even entertained their friends at a little
Chinese feast. Mrs. Frost recalls that the only flaw in Ida's housekeeping
was that when the girls stopped in her room, as they often did for a little
visit on their way home from college, Ida would pick up a book or magazine
and become so absorbed in it that she would forget all about the domestic
duties awaiting her.
But in spite of college and housekeeping duties, they were not too busy to
take part in the Christian work of the church which they attended. Mrs.
Frost pays them the following tribute: "They were lovely Christian
characters, ready to respond and assist in any Christian work where their
services were solicited. While they were in Ann Arbor they assisted me in
my Sunday afternoon Mission Band work with the small children of our
church, singing, or offering prayer, or telling interesting stories to the
little ones. On different occasions they, with the Chinese boys that came
with Miss Howe at the same time, assisted me in the public entertainments
given to help swell the funds of the Mission Band and raise enough to
support an orphan, or for other missionary work. They were very efficient,
consecrated Christians, very lovable and loving, highly respected by every
one with whom they came in contact. I have very pleasant memories of our
little Chinese doctors, and they have a very warm place in my heart and
affections."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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