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.”