In the summer of 1903 a specialist pronounced her to be suffering from tuberculosis, and the next winter was spent in southern California in the hope that in that favourable climate she might be cured.  Even here her eagerness to serve her people led her to do as much speaking as her physician would permit.  But she was anxious to get to the work for which these years of preparation had been spent, and with hopeful and eager expectation she sailed for China on the S.S. Siberia, June 11, 1904.

II

AMONG HER OWN PEOPLE

On her return to her own country, Anna began her work with great enthusiasm.  The spirit with which she entered into it is shown in her report of the first year’s work:  “After six years of special preparation, for which I feel greatly indebted to my Master, it is a happy privilege to do what may be in my power to show Him my gratitude.  The blessings I received from the hands of those who gave cheerfully for His sake, I will endeavour to pass on to others.  During those years of absorption in study there were times when I was anxious for others to share with me the joy which comes from the Christian faith, but the real opportunity did not appear until last July when I returned to my home land.  With gladness and thanksgiving I entered into the work already well and carefully organized by my senior missionaries.”

The evangelistic work for women, of which she was put in charge, offered a large and varied field for service.  “The success which my sister has had in her profession gives me easy access to many classes of our people,” she reported soon after her return.  Among the hospital and dispensary patients she found one of her greatest opportunities.  She was not only able to reach those who came for treatment, but through them she had access to their homes, and spent a large part of her time in visiting among them and in entertaining guests in her own home.  “Many know of the hospital and of the lady physician, and come to see the work, and daily we cordially welcome such guests into our home,” a letter reads.  “There are times when I walk with my sister on the street, and the ladies call the doctor in.  Thus I gain access to friendly homes.”

She was untiring in her efforts to fit herself to make use of every opportunity which presented itself, never regarding her preparation for service as completed, but always eager to learn any new thing which would help her.  A letter written soon after beginning her work tells of one of the means by which she sought to increase her usefulness:  “I think it is imperative for me to study something more of the Chinese classics.  The little knowledge I have, God has helped me to use for His glory, and a knowledge of the classical sayings will enable me at least to approach the educated classes on a common ground, and to induce them to see that which they know not, from that which they do know.”