succeeded in starting a school for girls in Kiukiang, the first girls'
school in that part of China. In this school, as soon as she was old
enough, Ida began to study. When she was nine years old Miss Howe went to
America and took the little girl with her. They were in San Francisco at
this time, and there Ida attended a mission school for the Chinese girls of
the city. As most of the other pupils belonged to Cantonese families, and
spoke a Chinese dialect very different from that of Kiukiang, she did not
learn very much at school; but her stay in America, at the age when it is
so easy for children to acquire languages, helped her very much in
learning English. On her way back to China Miss Howe stayed in Japan for
several months, and there again Ida attended school.
On returning to China, Miss Howe was asked to work in a newly opened
station of the Methodist Mission at Chung King, a city of western China,
located on the Yangtse River many miles above Kiukiang, and many days'
journey into the interior. During their stay there, Ida continued her
studies, tutored by Miss Howe and Miss Wheeler, of the same mission. The
stay in Chung King lasted only two years, for in 1886 the mission compound
was completely destroyed by a mob, and the missionaries had to flee for
their lives. For two weeks Ida, with some other Chinese girls, was in
hiding in the home of a friendly carpenter, while the missionaries were
hidden in the governor's yamen. At the end of that time they all succeeded
in making their escape from the city, and the little girl, who had already
had so many more experiences in her short life than the average Chinese
woman has in threescore years and ten, had the new adventure of a trip of
several days through the gorges of the Yangtse River. The river is always
dangerous at this point because of the swift rapids, but was so unusually
so at that season, when the summer floods were beginning, that only
extraordinary pressure would have induced any one to venture on it. The
trip to the coast was made in safety, however, and after another stay of a
few months in Japan, Miss Howe and her charge went back to Kiukiang, and
Ida again entered the school there.
Miss Howe was desirous that the people in America who were interested in
the Kiukiang school should be kept informed of its progress; but with her
many duties it was difficult for her to find time for frequent letters, so
she sometimes asked Ida to write for her. Extracts from one of these
letters, written when Ida was fifteen, and sent with no revision at all,
show something of this little Chinese girl's acquaintance with English:
"DEAR MRS. ----:"
"We have at present twenty-four scholars and four babies. We are
not many in numbers, but we hope that we may not prove the works of
missionaries in vain. The rules of this school are different from
others, since only girls of Christian families are allowed to
study. Girls of non-Christian families are allowed to study if they
are willing to pay their board. They also furnish their own
clothes. For these reasons our school contains girls from many
places since Christian girls are few.... In Kiukiang only one
Christian family have their girls at this school. The pastor of the
church over the river sends his eldest daughter. She has been my
companion from babyhood, and we were only separated when she went
to Chin Kiang and I to Chung King. She and her sisters never had
their feet bound. She is the first girl in Kiukiang who never bound
her feet. Her name is Mary Stone. She and I study together both in
English and Chinese."
"Her mother came a few weeks ago and stayed with us one week. One
day Mary and I went with her to visit the homes of missionaries;
when we came back Mrs. Stone suggested that we should go and see
her uncle. Mary and I hesitated a little; for we were not used to
visiting Chinese homes, especially after New Year when people are
very ceremonious. When we arrived at the home we found that they
had a New Year's party there, although it was the second month. The
reason was this; at the time of the New Year Chinese ladies do not
step outside their houses till they are invited to a party, and as
invitations do not come until nearly the end of the first month it
is common to continue to the second month."
"Mrs. Stone's friends were very glad to see her, for they had not
met for a long time. The party consisted of three elderly ladies,
besides the hostess, and three young girls besides the young
daughter of the house. They were dressed principally in bright
blue, green, and red, and were painted to the extreme. The young
girls hardly tasted their food, but looked us over from head to
foot, especially our feet. The room was hot, and presently one of
the girls tittered to another and said, 'Your face is streaked,'
meaning that some of her paint was off and showed dark lines;
whereupon all the girls declared that they were going to wash their
faces. After a while one of the girls came back and said, 'My face
is clean now, is it not?' Mrs. Stone told us that they saw we had
no paint on and were ashamed of theirs. The girls' only talk was
about their jewellry, clothes, and other gossip. Mary and I were
very much disappointed, for we hoped to learn some Chinese manners.
Mrs. Stone advised me not to wear spectacles, for I attracted many
remarks. I told her I was only too glad to draw attention from our
feet."
"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."
Both the girls won many friends among both students and faculty. Ida was
elected to the secretaryship of her class in her Junior year. Their record
for scholarship was so enviable that the assertion was often made, "They
must either be remarkably clever, or they must have applied themselves with
unusual devotion." They led their class in their Junior year, and in their
Senior year were surpassed by only one student. Dr. Breakey, specialist in
skin troubles, on whose staff they worked during their Senior year, speaks
warmly of their earnestness and devotion to their work. Another professor
said at the time of their graduation, "They will be a credit to the
University of Michigan. The society which provided for their course will
never regret having done so."
As their study at the University drew to a close, the young physicians
received many evidences of the appreciation that was felt for the work they
had done. Before commencement a reception was given them in the Methodist
church of Ann Arbor, at which each of them received a case of valuable
surgical instruments. Many other gifts were also showered upon them,--from
medical cases, cameras, clocks, and bedquilts, to books and dainty
handkerchiefs.
In order not to attract attention they had adopted American dress during
their stay in Ann Arbor; but their graduation dresses were sent from China,
made in Chinese style, of beautiful Chinese silk, with slippers of the same
material,--Ida's blue, Mary's delicate pink. Seven hundred and forty-five
students received their diplomas at that commencement, but to none was
accorded the universal and prolonged applause which broke forth as the two
young Chinese women stepped on the platform to take their diplomas from
President Angell's hands. Even the medical faculty applauded heartily, the
only time that the staff joined in the demonstrations of the audience. One
who was in the audience says, "Their bearing and dignity made us very proud
of them." President Angell was much interested in them and said to their
friends, "Their future career will be watched with every expectation of
eminent success."
The two months succeeding their graduation were spent in Chicago in
hospital work, and in the autumn they sailed for China. While they were in
America an old gentleman said to Ida, "I am glad you are going back to your
country as a physician. Your people need physicians more than they need
missionaries." The Chinese reverence for old age was too great to permit
Ida to contradict him, but turning to her friends she said quietly, "Time
is short--eternity is long." So it was not only as a physician, but as a
regularly appointed medical missionary that she returned to China.
III
SEVEN YEARS IN KIUKIANG
Quite a little anxiety was felt concerning the reception which the young
physicians would receive from the Chinese on their return to Kiukiang. A
foreign-trained Chinese woman physician had never been seen or heard of in
that section of China, and, scarcely, in all China, since Dr. Hü King Eng,
of Foochow, was the only other in the Empire at that time. The doctors' own
friends had long been asking when they were coming back, and when at last
the time arrived they had their plans all laid for welcoming them. The
missionaries had some doubts as to the propriety of a public ovation to two
young women, but the Chinese were so eager for it that they at last
consented, and from the moment the young doctors left the steamer until
they arrived at the gate of the mission compound, they were saluted with an
almost continuous fusillade of fire-crackers. Of course the noise attracted
curious crowds, and by the time they reached the Bund they were surrounded
by a host of their townspeople who were eager to get a glimpse of the
"women doctors." Some of them were heard to say, "Why, these girls are
receiving more honour than was shown to our commandant when he arrived!" As
the company slowly proceeded up the Bund, the missionaries were besieged
with eager questions: "Are they Chinese women?" "Is it true they have been
studying for four years in a foreign land?" "Can they heal the sick?" "Will
they live in Kiukiang?" When all these questions were answered in the
affirmative there was a vigorous nodding of heads, and "_Hao! Hao! Hao!_"
(Good, good!) was heard on every side. It seemed remarkable that in so
dense a crowd the universal expression of face and voice indicated only
favourable interest.
Shortly before the doctors arrived one of the missionaries wrote, "We are
expecting 'our doctors' back this fall, and after they have several months
of hospital practice in other mission hospitals in China, we hope to have a
place ready for them to begin work." The doctors had expected, too, a
little time for resting, and visiting with the friends whom they had not
seen for so many years. Moreover it was thought that some time would have
to elapse before they could gain the confidence of the people sufficiently
to begin practice. But on the third day after their arrival four patients
appeared and asked for treatment; on the following day the same four
returned and six newcomers arrived; and so it went on, until dispensary
quarters had to be hurriedly rented and regular work begun.
They had been back only about a month when they were sent for one evening
to visit a woman who was in a very serious condition. On arriving at the
house they found there the best known native doctor in the city, richly
dressed in satin and silk, and accompanied by four chair-bearers. He had
told the woman's family that he could do nothing for her, and after
welcoming the young women physicians very pleasantly, he took his leave,
advising the family to put the patient into their hands, saying, "They have
crossed mountains and seas to study about these matters." The family wanted
the doctors to guarantee that the woman would live, but they, of course,
refused to do this, and after some discussion turned to go. But at that the
older members of the family fell on their knees, and begged them to stay
and do just whatever they thought best. Their treatment was so successful
that three days later the grateful family invited them to a feast, after
which they were wound about with red scarfs by the old grandmother, and
presented with gifts. The entire family then escorted them home amid the
explosion of many fire-crackers.
The _China Medical Missionary Journal_ of December, 1896, in commenting
upon the work of these young women, says: "They have not, up to the present
time, had to endure the pain of losing a patient, although they have had
several very serious cases. When that does come, as of course it must,
there will doubtless be some reaction, and present faith may be changed to
distrust for a time. But the most hopeful had not dreamed of their
commencing work without some opposition, and that they actually sought,
before making any efforts to secure patients, has been a great surprise to
all. Their early success is doubtless due largely to the fact that they are
back among their own people as true Chinese, and while they have gained
much in culture and intellect, love and sympathy for their race have ever
been present; while the ruling motive in all their efforts has been how
best to prepare themselves to help their countrywomen. The native women do
not stand at a distance to admire them, but familiarly take their hands and
feel their clothing; and while acknowledging their superiority do not
hesitate to invite them as guests to their humble homes."
Nor was the reputation of the young physicians limited to Kiukiang. At
about the time of their return, the young emperor, Kwang-hsi, had issued
edicts to the viceroys of the various provinces, ordering them to search
out and send to Peking, young men versed in modern affairs, who could act
as advisers to him. Several of these young men held a meeting in Nanking
before proceeding to Peking. Two of them had heard of the young doctors
just returned from America, and, on their way to Nanking, stopped at
Kiukiang for the purpose of calling on them. The doctors, however, felt it
wise to adopt a conservative attitude in regard to receiving calls from
young men, lest their influence with the women with whom they were to work
should be weakened, did they violate Chinese custom in this matter. Miss
Howe therefore received the guests in their stead, answered their
questions, gave them such information as they desired, and presented them
with the diploma of one of the doctors. They displayed the diploma at the
meeting at Nanking, where it created much interest. The son of Governor
Tang of Hupeh, who was at the meeting, spoke for two hours on the
desirability of educating women, and suppressing the custom of
foot-binding. Then and there a society was organized in which these men
pledged themselves to marry their sons only to natural-footed women, and
their daughters only into families whose girls were allowed to grow up with
natural feet.
At about this time, also, Chang Chih Tung, one of the most eminent and
public spirited viceroys of his time, sent a representative to wait upon
Miss Howe, with the request that she and the young physicians accept
positions in a school which he wished to establish in Shanghai. His aim was
to develop a University for women which would train women teachers, and he
wished also to have a medical department in connection with it.
Foot-binding concubinage, and slavery were dealt with directly in the
prospectus; Sunday was to be observed as a holiday; and liberty of
conscience in the matter of religion was to be allowed. While no religious
books might be taught in the school, no objections were raised to religious
work being done privately. When this request was brought to the Women's
Conference of the Methodist Mission they passed a resolution expressing
their sympathy with the proposed plan, and advising the acceptance of the
positions by Miss Howe and one of the doctors, "if in the process of the
development of the plans they feel it best to do so." Although as the
plans developed Miss Howe and the doctors finally decided that they could
be more useful in Kiukiang, the offer shows the interest felt in the work
of the young physicians, even in the highest official circles.
At the close of the first year, Dr. Kahn reported:
"With the exception of a month spent at the Nanking Memorial
Hospital we have kept up our work steadily ever since our return to
Kiukiang. At present we have regular dispensary work, and our Bible
woman spends her time faithfully teaching the women. As she is
quite an elderly woman, has been very well trained and educated,
and above all is an earnest Christian, we are sure that her
influence will not be small on those with whom she is brought in
contact. Then again, she is a good chaperon to our girls who are
preparing to be nurses. There are three girls who have been in the
girls' school from five to six years, and now choose to take up
nursing as their life work. They assist in the dispensary, help
make up the drugs, attend to the hospital patients, and recite two
lessons to us every day. Later on we hope to have them assist in
our operations and go out with us when we need them."
"At present we have six patients in the hospital, and although the
number may seem small, yet our hospital has been opened scarcely
two months, and it is so tiny that it appears quite full. The
hospital is merely a Chinese dwelling, heightened and improved by
floors and windows."
"During the year two or three interesting trips have been made by
us into the country. The first one was made by Miss Stanton and
myself to the capital of the province, to attend the wife of an
official. We brought her home with us, and while here undergoing
treatment she studied the Bible every day and enjoyed it very much.
Later, when she returned home, she recovered completely, and now
two of her sons are in our mission school. Her husband gave one
hundred dollars for the dispensary and two merit boards or tablets
to us, and he said he would help us in raising money for the
hospital...."
"One thing which pleases us very much is that those whom we have
treated outside, when they get well almost invariably come and call
on us, and even go with us to church."
The following year she wrote:
"The time has come again for us to give our yearly report and we
are very glad to be able to say that the work has advanced in every
direction. The year has been a very unhealthy one and fevers have
simply flourished, so that our nurses have been kept very busy
caring for patients often in a critical condition. During the year
we were enabled to make four visits into the country. Miss Stanton
has been more free to do evangelistic work and take long trips than
previously, and it has been a privilege for one of us doctors to
accompany her on the journeys. By taking turns, one of us could
always attend to the regular work. People are awakening everywhere,
and crowds flock to us to hear the truth and receive medical
treatment. Sometimes we dispense medicine to one or two hundred
people a day. Our stock of medicine usually gives out, and many
people have had to be turned away for lack of drugs. Everywhere
they begged us to come and visit them again. At one place a party
of women came at night to the boat where Miss Stanton and I were
staying, inviting us to go ashore and organize a church. They told
us: 'Men can hear preaching sometimes on the street; but we women
never have an opportunity to hear anything except when you ladies
come to teach us.'"
During that year, the second of their practice, the young physicians were
able to report 90 patients treated in the hospital, 134 in homes, 3,973 in
the dispensary, and 1,249 during country trips, making a total of 5,446.
Their third year was also a very prosperous one, not only in their work
among the poor, but also in the number of calls which they received from
the class of people who were able to give them ample compensation for their
services. This money was always turned into the mission treasury by the
young physicians, who also, for four years, gave their services to the
Woman's Missionary Society without salary, in return for the four years of
training which they had received at Ann Arbor. An interesting glimpse of
the impression they made upon their fellow-workers is given by a letter
from one of the missionaries written at this time: "None who know our
beloved doctors, Mary Stone and Ida Kahn, can do otherwise than thank God
for raising up such efficient and faithful workers. It is difficult to
think of any desirable quality which these two ladies do not possess. To
this their growing work gives witness."
Dr. Kahn was honoured in the latter part of the year by being appointed as
the representative of the women of China to the World's Congress held in
London, June, 1899.
The hearts of the doctors were gladdened during this year by the prospect
of a hospital building in which to carry on their work. Early in 1900 Dr.
Kahn wrote happily to Dr. Danforth, whose gifts had made the building
possible:
"Work on the building is going on merrily, and the results are
pleasing so far.... As to our work at present, we can truly say
that never before has it seemed so encouraging. This being the
Chinese New Year month we have usually had scarcely any patients,
and at least for a number of days no patients at all; but this year
we had no day without patients, and often had thirty, forty, and
even over fifty patients a day, which is certainly unprecedented.
You cannot imagine how strong a prejudice the average Chinaman has
against doing work of any kind too soon after New Year's. Not only
is it the only holiday of any duration they have during the year,
but it is ill luck to work too early."