I - CHILDHOOD IN THREE COUNTRIES

By the time little Ida Kahn first opened her eyes in Kiukiang, China, little girls had become a drug on the market in her family.  Her parents had long been eager for a son, but each of the five babies who had come was a daughter, and now this sixth one was a little girl, too.  According to Chinese custom, they called in the old blind fortune-teller to declare her fate and give advice concerning her future.  His verdict was discouraging for he told them that she must be killed or given away to another family, since as long as she remained in the home the long-desired son would never come to them.  The parents were not willing to end the little life, so they determined to engage the baby to a little boy in a neighbouring family, and give her to the family of her betrothed to bring up.  But when they called the fortune-teller again to ask his judgment on the proposed betrothal, he declared that the little girl had been born under the dog star, the boy under the cat star, and therefore the betrothal was not to be thought of.  The family’s perplexity as to what to do with this superfluous little daughter became known to the neighbours, and one of them, who was teaching Chinese to Miss Howe and Miss Hoag of the Methodist Mission, told them about it.  That very afternoon they took their sedan chairs and went and got the baby.  Thus, when only two months old, Ida was adopted by Miss Howe, whom she always calls “my mother,” and of whom she says, “There is no one like her in the world.”

The same year that little Ida was born, Miss Howe and Miss Hoag had 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. Hue 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.”

“While standing at the gate on the second day, watching the patients straggling in, I saw one of them brought on a stretcher.  It was a pretty little girl who had been badly burned by the upsetting of a foot stove under her wadded garments.  As they came up an old woman who carried one corner of the bamboo bed called out, ‘Doctor, have you opened your accounts yet?’ meaning have you begun work yet.  I answered, ’Why, our accounts have never been closed, so we did not need to reopen them!’ ‘Yes,’ she said, ’I know, and I wish you many congratulations for the New Year, and may you have much custom during the year.’  Think of what that implies!  Then she went on volubly describing what a time they had in getting people to carry the bed, for no money could induce them to come, and finally she and a few boy cousins had to bring her.  A few days ago her people came and fired lots of crackers, as well as hung up long strips of red cloth outside our gate, in order to show people that we have accomplished a cure for them and they wish to express their gratitude in public.”

A few months later the Elizabeth Skelton Danforth Memorial Hospital was completed; but just as they were about to occupy the new building the Boxer uprising assumed such serious proportions that all work had to be dropped, and the women were forced to leave the city.  The doctors accompanied the other missionaries to Japan, and remained there for a few months; then came back to China and spent a few weeks in Shanghai, until the country had quieted down sufficiently to make it safe to return to the interior.  The weeks in Shanghai were not idle ones, for they found plenty of patients to treat during their stay there.

There were many missionaries from various parts of China gathered in Shanghai at this time, and the women improved the opportunity thus afforded by the presence of so many workers for a conference on the various phases of women’s work.  Dr. Kahn was asked to give an address on Girl Slavery at this conference, and made a great impression by her powerful plea for the abolition of this wicked practice.  Her appeal had added force because she was a Chinese woman herself, and this evil custom had come close to her life.  “She was my best friend in school,” she said of one victim, “and her mind was as beautiful as her person.  We were baptized together and she confessed to me that she would like to devote her life to Christian work, adding so sadly that she must try first to help her opium-smoking father.  Where were gone her longings and aspirations when she was sold by him to be the concubine of a man sixty years of age!  Surely on this eve of China’s regeneration, we, the more favoured ones, must plead with all our might that all these unnatural customs shall be swept away with the last relics of our country’s barbarism.”

The doctors were soon able to recommence work in Kiukiang, and with their fine new hospital they worked under far more favourable conditions than heretofore.  A letter from Dr. Kahn tells of their enjoyment of the new building:  “It is now a pleasure to see the little crowds of women and children sitting comfortably in the easy seats of the dispensary waiting room, and to notice how they enjoy the talks of the Bible woman.  In former years they were always huddled together in a dark room, or else were scattered here and there in our front yard, and the Bible woman had great difficulty to get them to listen quietly.  The new drug room is a constant delight.  The operating room, too, is our pride, because it is so light.  The confidence which people had in our work before last year’s troubles broke out, appears to revive again.”

The following summer, Miss Robinson, of Chinkiang, visited the doctors in their new quarters.  A letter written from their home reads:  “We find them as skilful in housekeeping as in hospital-keeping, and excelling in the happy art of making their guests at home.  Such all-round women are a priceless boon to their native sisters.  I want to have our graduates attend the coming annual meeting in Kiukiang, improving this opportunity of bringing them in contact with the doctors, who have long since become the ideals of our school girls....  Referring to the fear some native Christians have shown of sending their girls to a school having manual labour in its curriculum, Dr. Ida exclaimed hotly, ’This fear of work is the bane of China.’  Here are two doctors of exalted privileges, educated abroad, honoured alike by native and foreigner, and yet putting their hand to cooking and housework of every kind, as the need may be, without a thought of being degraded thereby; a glorious object-lesson to accompany the teachings of the mission schools.”

IV - PIONEER WORK IN NANCHANG

In the first year of the young physicians’ practice in China, a launch had been sent to Kiukiang by one of the high officials of Nanchang, the capital of Kiangsi province, with the request that one of the physicians should return to Nanchang in it and treat his wife, who was very ill.  Dr. Kahn went, and brought the woman back to Kiukiang with her.  After a few weeks under the doctors’ care she returned to Nanchang completely recovered, and gave such glowing accounts of the benefit she had received that many of the wealthy ladies of the city followed her example and went to the Kiukiang hospital for treatment.

At that time no American missionary work was being done in Nanchang; but the successful treatment of the wife of the official is said to have “opened the gates to Protestant missionaries.”  The Methodist Mission soon established a station there, and the work grew rapidly in spite of the fact that Nanchang was not an altogether easy place in which to work.  As it was in the interior and off the highway of travel, little was known of foreigners.  Moreover, there was a rowdyish element of the population which was very hostile to them and everything connected with them, as Dr. Kahn had good cause to know.  Soon after the work in Nanchang had been begun by their mission, she and Miss Stanton made a trip there, the latter to do evangelistic work, Dr. Kahn for medical work.  Dr. Kahn shall tell the story of their experiences: 

“One afternoon, Miss Stanton and myself went to call on some ladies of the Plymouth Brethren Mission, the only other Christian mission besides our own in the city.  The day being warm Miss Stanton had the rain cover of her sedan chair removed.  Unfortunately it was a hired chair and there were no side curtains, neither was there an upper curtain in front.  When we had gotten fairly started boys began to follow us, and by the time we had reached our destination quite a crowd was with us, and rushed into the compound ahead of us.  Once in, we planned to cover the chair; and also waited till dark for our return, hoping that by that time the crowd would have dispersed.”

“However, when we got ready to start, there was a large crowd still clustered around the court and door.  They allowed Miss Stanton to get into her chair first and start off, but when I followed, then the fun began.  The coolies would take a step or two, then the chair would be pulled almost down.  Yelling at them was of no avail.  Finally a stone was thrown and one of the windows broken, so I thought it was time to walk.  The crowd called out, ’A foreigner! a foreigner!’ I was almost ready to cry with vexation, and could not help telling the people that they were cowards and barbarians.  One or two of the bystanders now began to take my part, and administered a blow or two to those who seemed to be too obstreperous, telling me at the same time not to be afraid.  I started to enter the largest residence near me, but the gatekeeper slammed the door in my face so I went on ahead.  One of my volunteer helpers said, ’There is the residence of the official Yang, where you can find shelter.’  So he led me into a house where a couple of women were sitting in the great room.  Rather abruptly I told them that I was pursued by a crowd, and asked if I could find shelter there until I could send word to my people.  My guides also explained that the people took me to be a foreigner.  To my surprise the ladies welcomed me cordially, and ordered the doors to be shut on the crowd.  Now all my friends will be ashamed to know that I could not repress my tears, but after a good cry I felt relieved.  The people in the house urged me not to be afraid.  I told them I was not afraid; I was disgusted that my people could be so mean.  My hostess related several instances where ladies coming home alone in their chairs had been pulled about, and deplored the fact that there were so many rowdies everywhere.”

“Very soon the church members heard of my trouble and came to escort me home.  As we wended our way homeward fresh members joined us till we formed quite a procession with lights flashing everywhere.  Indignation was felt by all, so some of the party went back to demand the arrest of the ringleaders.  How thankful I was to get back safely to our mission compound.  Miss Stanton’s chair coolies had assured her that I was following behind, and she thought everything was secure.  The church members were at prayer meeting and did not notice my non-arrival.  The delay I think must have been providential, for had the members rushed there and found a crowd, I fear more trouble must have resulted.”

“Very soon the husband of a wealthy patient came and offered many apologies for the bad conduct of the people.  How do you suppose he found out about the matter?  He was returning home from a feast, and seeing so many Methodist lanterns (please do not smile, for the lanterns have ‘Methodist Church’ written on one side, and ’Gospel Hall’ on the other) asked what it meant, and learned of the trouble....  Certainly the devious ways of my own countrymen never struck me so forcibly before.  How much we do need the truth to shine in upon us and change us completely.”

Yet it was to this city that the Christian physician’s heart went out in such compassion that, for its sake, she was not only willing, but glad to leave her home in Kiukiang, the prosperous work which she had been doing in fellowship with her lifelong friend, Dr. Stone, and the beautiful new hospital to which she had long looked forward with so much eagerness.

“This old city of Nanchang with about three hundred thousand inhabitants, and surrounded by a thickly settled country, has not a single educated physician,” one of her letters reads.  “Do you know what that means?  The people realize their need and asked us to go and live among them.  One of the church members offered to give us, free of charge, a piece of land situated in a fine part of the city, for either a hospital or a school lot.  The pastor said he could raise $1,000 among the people if we would only begin medical work there.  Do you think we ought to refuse that offer, which is a wonderful one, because the church has only just been established there?  ’And when they came to Jesus they besought Him instantly, saying that he was worthy for whom He should do this.’”

The people of Nanchang, both Christian and non-Christian, pleaded so eagerly for medical work, and promised to do so much toward its support, that the missionaries agreed with Dr. Kahn in feeling that a door to great opportunity was open before her, which it would be a serious mistake not to enter.  Accordingly, early in 1903, she responded to what Dr. Stone termed “the Macedonian call,” and began work in Nanchang.

The Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society did not feel able to assume any responsibility for the financial support of the medical work in the new field, beyond that of the doctor’s salary.  But Dr. Kahn firmly believed that missionary work should be just as nearly self-supporting as possible; and since many of the urgent invitations from Nanchang had come from homes of wealth, she was very willing to attempt to carry on medical work there on a self-supporting basis.  In an article on the subject of self-supporting medical missionary work, written for the China Medical Missionary Journal, she gave some of her reasons for believing in self-support, and her theories as to how it might be carried out.

“To the many of us, no doubt, the thought naturally arises that we have enough problems to deal with in our work without having to take up the irksome question of self-support.  Yet at the present time, when every strenuous effort is being made to evangelize the world in this generation, any plan which can help forward such a movement at once assumes an aspect of vital importance in our eyes.  Let it not be presumed that self-support is to be recommended as possible to every medical missionary.  On the contrary, I fear, only by those fortunate enough to be located in large cities could the effort be attempted with any hope of success.  Yet in a measure the question concerns every one of us, because in its different phases self-support is sure to be pressed upon all of us with more or less force.  Personally, my work was undertaken in Nanchang partly from faith in the principle, partly because there were no funds available to institute medical work on any other basis.  My faith in the principle is founded upon the belief that anything of value is more appreciated when something has been asked in exchange for its worth, from those perfectly able to effect the exchange....  The ordinary people who seek help from the missionary will retain a higher measure of self-respect, and also suspect less the motives of the benefactor.  The rich will appreciate more highly the services received, besides having the added glow of satisfaction in helping forward a worthy charity....”

“There should be no ironclad rules, however; each case must be counted on its own merits.  Generally speaking, it might be well for the physician in charge to state plainly that the very poor are to be treated free of charge and have medicines, and occasionally food supplies, gratis.  Those a little better off may help a little in paying for the medicines.  The next step above that is to pay partly for the treatment as well; while the highest grade is to pay in proportion to the amount of help received.  All this means a good deal of thought on the part of the physician and assistant, but gradually it will become routine work and so demand less labour.”

“Is self-supporting work a missionary work?  Assuredly yes; for is not the money thus gained used in giving relief to the poor?...  And if all money received goes again into the work, to increase its efficiency, why may it not be counted missionary?  Part of it is given as thank-offering by those who are not Christian, and all is given for value received from Christian effort.  Our Lord healed diseases without money and without price.  If we ask, ’What would Jesus do?’ under our existing circumstances, the suggestion comes to my mind that it would be something different in form, but not in principle, from what He did in a different land, under far different circumstances, nineteen hundred and more years ago.  Someone says we are to follow Jesus, not to copy Him; and the principal thing, it seems to me, would be always to abide in the Spirit of the Christ, by whatever method we feel constrained to render our little service.”

Although the new step was taken so bravely, it was not an easy one.  Some idea of the courage it required is shown by the doctor’s report of her first year in Nanchang; “The very thought of making a report causes many poignant memories to rush upon us.  With what hesitancy and timidity did we begin our work in the new field!  Knowing our own limitations, it was not with a light heart that we began the new year.  Yet,” she was able to add, “as we toiled on, we could but acknowledge that we were wonderfully led along ‘The Pathway of Faith.’”

Enough money was contributed by the Nanchang people to enable Dr. Kahn to rent a house in the centre of the city, in which dispensary work could be carried on, and in which she lived.  They also supplied her with a small stock of drugs with which to begin work, and she treated something over two thousand patients during the first eight months.  The number seemed small after the work to which she had been accustomed in Kiukiang; but she was becoming known in the city, and in addition to her patients several of the women of the city had called on her in a purely social way, many of them educated women of the official class.  Dr. Kahn says of them: 

“As the wives and daughters of expectant officials they are representative of the better class of the whole country, for they are assembled from every province.  It is pleasing to note that dignity and modesty are often combined with real accomplishment among them.  It is amongst these that there is a marked eagerness to learn something better.  They talk about their country incessantly, and deplore with real sincerity her present condition, of which many of them have a fairly good knowledge.  To these we tell over and over again that the only hope of China’s regeneration is in her becoming a Christian nation, and that only the love of Christ can bring out the best qualities of any people....”

As to the financial side of the work, Dr. Kahn reported:  “The outlook is most promising.  During the eight months I have received over $700 from the work, and as much more has been subscribed.”

During the succeeding two years the work developed steadily.  The number of patients treated at the close of 1905 was almost three times the number reported in 1903, and Dr. Kahn wrote, “We have tried to check the number of patients, simply because we did not feel financially able to treat so many.”  The rent which she had been obliged to pay for her building in the city had been a heavy burden financially.  Great was her delight therefore to be able to report, at the end of this year, a new $2,000 building for dispensary purposes, the money for which had been secured partly from fees, partly from subscriptions.  “With the incubus of a heavy rent off our shoulders we may be able to relieve more patients, as we would wish,” she wrote.

The dispensary building was not the sole cause for rejoicing that year; for in addition to it a fine, centrally located piece of land, worth $3,600, was given for a hospital site.  “All the assistance received has been from the gentry and not the officials, and therefore it really represents the people and we feel much encouraged by the fact,” reads Dr. Kahn’s report.  The gentry wanted to make over the deeds of the property to the doctor.  This, however, she would not permit, but insisted that they be made in the name of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, assuring the donors that the work would then be on a permanent basis, as it could not be if the deeds were made out in her name.

It would not have been just cause for discouragement had the work dropped off the next year; for a dispute between some French Catholic priests and the Nanchang magistrates led to such serious disturbances and bloodshed that the missionaries were obliged to flee for their lives.  Dr. Kahn refused to leave her work until the last possible moment, and returned just as soon as it was at all safe to do so.  At the end of the year she was able to report that although it had been necessary to close the dispensary for three months, fully as many patients had been treated in the nine months as in the twelve months of the year previous.  Another gift had also been received from the gentry, a piece of land near the hospital site, on which a home for the physician was already in process of building.

During 1907 the work continued to grow steadily in scope and favour.  Dr. Kahn’s annual report for that year shows something of its development:  “My practice has increased steadily among the foreigners and Chinese, until now we have patients come to us from all the large interior cities, even to the borders of Fuhkien.  You would be surprised to know how many foreigners I treat in this out-of-the-way place.  During the year we have treated over eight thousand patients.  The evangelistic work among them has been better undertaken than ever before, and I am sure we shall see results in the near future.  Several inquirers have been accepted, and seven women have been taken in as probationers.”

Although the demands of her work in Nanchang are constant and absorbing, Dr. Kahn has never become provincial in her interest; while working with whole-hearted devotion in her own corner, she still keeps the needs of the entire field in mind.  At the fifth triennial meeting of the Educational Association of China, held in Shanghai in the spring of 1905, she gave an address on “Medical Education,” in which she said in part: 

“Turn the mind for a moment to the contemplation of China’s four hundred millions, with the view of inaugurating effectual modern medical practice in their midst.  How many physicians are there to minister to this vast mass of humanity?  Barely two hundred!  Such a ratio makes the clientele of each physician about two million.  What would the English-speaking world think if there were only one physician available for the cities of New York and Brooklyn!  Yet the people of these cities would not be so badly off, because of the steam and electrical connections at their command.”

“We as missionary physicians recognize our own inadequacy and the imperative demand for native schools.  How can we undertake to help spread medical education in China with the limited means at our command?  Shall we simply take unto ourselves a few students as assistants, and after training them for a few years turn them out as doctors?  By all means, no!  Take us as we are generally situated, one or two workers in charge of a large hospital or dispensary, is not the stress of our professional work almost as much as we can bear?  Then there are the people to whom we ought to give the bread of life as diligently as we minister to their bodily needs.  Add to this the urgent need of keeping up a little study.  Where comes the time and strength to teach the students as they should be taught?  Certainly to the average missionary such work as the turning out of full-fledged doctors ought to be debarred.  It seems to me that what can and ought to be done is to single out promising students who possess good Christian characters as well as physical and mental abilities, and send them to large centres such as Peking, Canton, Shanghai, and Hankow, where they might take a thorough course in medicine and surgery.  In these large cities the case is altered; for hospitals and physicians are comparatively numerous, and much could be done in a union effort.  I am glad one or two such schools have been inaugurated.”

“As stiff a course as possible ought to be arranged and if it is thought best the whole thing might be outlined by the China Medical Missionary Association.  For entrance requirements there should be presented a solid amount of Chinese and English, with some Latin and perhaps one other modern language.  That may seem a great deal to ask at present, but our higher schools of learning ought soon to be able to supply such a demand, as well as the necessary training in mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc.  In other words the student must be equipped in the very best manner for his lifework.”

“During the present generation at least, if not longer, the women of China will continue to seek medical advice from women physicians, and to meet the demand we must confront and solve another problem.  Co-education is impracticable just at this juncture.  We must have either an annex to the men’s college, or a separate one entirely.  Whichever plan is adopted it matters not, barring the ‘lest we forget’ that it is just as important to establish medical schools for women as for men.”

“In the golden future when schools abound we shall have to think of state examinations; but at that time we shall expect to be ready to greet the blaze of day in this wonderful country of ours, when she has wakened from the long sleep we often hear about, and taken her place among the nations of the world, and God and man shall see ‘that it is good.’”

At the close of 1907 Dr. Kahn had been back in China for twelve years, years of arduous, almost unremitting labour; and her fellow missionaries felt that before the work on the new hospital building began she ought to have a vacation.  Certainly she had earned it.  Not only had she worked faithfully for seven years in Kiukiang, but she had, within the five succeeding years, established medical work in a large city, where she was the first and only physician trained in Western sciences.  Assisted only by two nurses whom she herself had trained, she had kept her dispensary running the year around, all day and every day.  Moreover, she had kept the work practically self-supporting, in spite of the fact that she had refused to economize by using inferior medicines, or bottles of rough glass which could not be thoroughly cleansed.  She had insisted that her drugs be of the purest, and dispensed in clean, carefully labelled bottles, and had often furnished besides the food needed to build up strength.  In addition to all this, she so commended herself and her work to the people of the city that in 1906 she was enabled to hand over to the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, a dispensary building and two fine building lots, to be used for a hospital and physician’s home.

She was finally persuaded to go to America for a period of change and rest.  “Rest” for Dr. Kahn evidently means a change of work; for she went at once to Northwestern University to take the literary course which she felt would fit her for broader usefulness among her countrywomen.  Eager to get back to China she did three years’ work in two, studying in the summer quarter at the University of Chicago, when Northwestern closed its doors for the vacation.  In addition to her University studies, she undertook, for the sake of her loved country, a work which is peculiarly hard for her, and almost every Sunday found her at some church, telling of the present unprecedented opportunities in China.

The question may perhaps be raised as to whether days could be crowded so full and yet work be done thoroughly.  But Prof.  J. Scott Clark of Northwestern University said of her, at this time:  “Dr. Kahn is one of the most accurate and effective students in a class of eighty-four members, most of them sophomores, although the class includes many seniors.  The subject is the study of the style and diction of prominent prose authors, with some theme work.  Last year Miss Kahn attained a very high rank in the study of the principles of good English style during the first semester, and in that of synonyms during the second semester.  In the latter difficult subject she ranked among the very best students in a class of over three hundred members.  She is very accurate, very earnest, and very quick to catch an idea.  In fact she is nothing less than an inspiration to her classmates.”

In the spring of 1910 Dr. Kahn was a delegate to the Conference of the World’s Young Women’s Christian Association held in Berlin, and from there went to London for six months of study in the School of Tropical Diseases.  She had planned to return to Northwestern University to complete the work interrupted by her trip to Europe, and to receive her degree.  Her work had been of so unusually high a standard, however, that she was permitted to finish her course by correspondence, and was granted her degree in January, 1911.  She completed her course in the School of Tropical Diseases with high honour, and in February, 1911, she reached Nanchang, where one of her fellow-workers declares, “she is magnificent from the officials’ houses to the mud huts.”

The new hospital was still in process of building, but the doctor began work at once in her old dispensary, and the news of her return soon spread.  In a short time she was having an average of sixty patients a day, and several operations were booked some time before the hospital could be opened.  It was ready for use in the autumn and in October Dr. Kahn wrote:  “The work has gone on well, and patients have come to us even from distant cities clear on the other side of Poyang Lake.  The new building is such a comfort.  It looks nice and is really so well adapted for the work.  I would be the happiest person possible if I did not have to worry about drug bills, etc....  It is impossible to drag any more money out of the poor people.  Our rich patients are very small in number when compared with the poor.  Yesterday I had to refuse medicines to several people, though my heart ached at having to do so.  You see I had no idea that the work would develop so fast, and things have risen in prices very much the last few years.”

At the time that this letter was written the Revolution was in progress, and Nanchang, with all the rest of Central China, was in a turmoil.  Because of the disturbed conditions most of the missionaries left the city, but Dr. Kahn refused to leave her work.  With the help of her nurses she kept the hospital open, giving a refuge to many sufferers from famine and flood, and caring for the wounded soldiers.  None of the forty beds was ever empty, and many had to be turned away.

The close of the Revolution did not, however, bring a cessation of work for the doctor.  She already needs larger hospital accommodation, three times as much as she now has, one of her friends writes.  But Dr. Kahn delights in all the opportunities for work that are crowding upon her; for she says, “When I think what my life might have been, and what, through God’s grace, it is, I think there is nothing that God has given me that I would not gladly use in His service.”