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1860 Ltr from China- US Missionary re Bandits, Idolatry
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Time left: |
(12/7/2008 12:44:49 AM) |
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15 |
revatom |
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Current Bid: |
USD 572.58 |
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3-1/2 pg. ALS, June 12, 1860, Ningpo [China] by Presbyterian Missionary Rev. Henry Van Vleck Rankin (1825-63) to Dr. Rev. Cyrus Dickson at Baltimore, MD., concerning some difficulties in China. Ink bleed through makes this difficult to read, so I will translate as best I can: "My dear Dr. Jackson, by the last Issue of the Record I see you are still promoting the plan of systematic benevolence you proposed many years ago and I am glad that attention is being drawn toward it by those who have influence in our church. I hope you will do all you can to interest parties in your Synod and the results will be greater __. I would __ encourage our __ Schools by an oceanmail letter if I had time to write them, & partly with this and in view Mrs. R. & myself both sent communications to the Foreign Missionary. We continue to have the Femah Board my School with our charge, and Mrs. R. has also __ day School in one of which I assist her every week. Even among these little day scholars grace seems to be at work & their mothers tell us how they keep the Sabbath & ask a blessing at their meals. I pray to God that during the last year more than thirty of this people united with our church & I think a larger number will be baptized this year. Thirteen were baptized in April. Ever since the memorable week of solemnities in January the native Christians have kept up a daily prayer meeting and seem much to relish it. There has been something of an awakening in a small village seven miles distant, where we have a native helpers-- a young graduate of our school & at the other three stations connected with this mission there are more or less signs of the Spirit's persona. Poor China is now in a most distracted state. But I hope the Lord has special designs of Mercy to follow the ___ He intends meeting the people with. Confusion everywhere prevails. This month heavenly cities of San Chau & Hang Chau have been visited by bands of robbers & the latter (probably the finest city in the Empire) has been fearfully ravaged. Much panic has existed here & at Shanghai at any time or another: & indeed all through the Empire there has been suffering to a great degree. This state of things has drawn forth numerous placards. Some Chinese Moralists, who acknowledge the justice of "Heaven" in these afflictions, but point the poor people to "good works" of various kinds (but which generally relate to idolatry) as the remedy. We have taken the hint and posted up Christian placards in all directions. And by the way, would it not be a valuable means of un___ at ___ to paste up short & pungent truths in the way of hand bills at our railway stations & public places to call attention to religion & to God. W strokes in that this plan, which Baxter once employed would be of great use, but I must close with much love to all your dear family. Affy, Yours "H. V. Rankin." Rankin graduated Princeton in 1843 and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1847. He was appointed by the Board of Foreign Missions as a missionary to China in 1848 and served at Ningpo, the first permanent Presbyterian station in China. He died in service at Tengchow in 1863. He was married in 1848 to Mary G. Knight, who he mentions as Mrs. R. in this letter. After his death, Mary married Reverend Robert Aikman. This is a postal cancel (new ? York). But for the bleed through and a little nick at the bottom, good condition. Letters from China (in English) this early are very hard to find. Buyer pays $2.25 shipping in the U.S. Payment by personal check or money order only, or please don't bid.
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