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