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J. Russell Morse

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W. Rjchards

Morse

Qf Rogers, Ark

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Sargeant Barnabas, Keener a Native Lisu

Evangelist

Assam, India

192041945 Review
The TibefanLisuiand Churches of Christ

J. Russell Morse, Director


'Where China, Tibet and Burma meeif'

HISTORICAL SUMMARY
^
(To satisfy many reqmsts for a summary of the work done by Tibetan^Lisuland Churches of Christ, the following sketch has

been prepared. Please file this material for future use.)

world. The Ganges which have come to the people of the Tibetan borders may be ^(^psed in three contrasting situations.
n.^1921. The missionary Morses: J. Russell, Gertrude, and Baby Eugene, travelled constantly for four and a half months to
readh their first station at Batang. 1944Our missionary-nurse,

Modem progress is now reaching the remotest parts of the

Dorothy Sterling, flew from an eastern U. S, airport to Calcutta in five days, over the Hump in four hours, and then by cariavan over

weeks. Her journeyhalf way around the world in less than three weeks* traveling timecontrasts with the four and a half months
spent by tiie Morses in 1921.

the mountain passes to &e Salween mission station in smother two

n.^The changing attitude of the Chinese-Lisu-Tibetan people


toward white men is another evidence of progress. About twenty-

five years ago a party of Englishmen, exploring along the Salween river, were killed by a few Lisu tribesmen who knew so little alraut white men's ways that they pounded the explorers' watches into
bits. The white men were dead but their watches kept on ticking so the Lisu smashed the watches to kill the devils making the
"talkie-talk." But modem Lisu rescue stranded airmen. : They

are actually less excited about such deliveries than the rhissionaries
are.

accept provisions dropped by parachute as a matter of coi^e and

m.^And yet another measure of progress in that area in the last twenty years is that whereas there were no missionaries along the uppermost Salween before the Morse workers moved there in 1942, there is today a host of native Christians. These Lasu have foimd a new way of livingone based on Christ's teachings instead of idol worship. Now tibey have The Book in their own language and they have leamed to read it and to spread its message. These are the headlines of the history of the Tibetan-Lisiiland
Churches of Christ and the work of those missionaries associated
with J. Russell Morse.

.

Mr. Morse was bom in Alexandria, South Dakota, February 4,

Home Church today) was the West Side, or Home Gardens, Chris
in 1920.

another year spent at Phillips in graduate study, Mr. Morse con tinued preaching in nearby towns. His earliest pastorate (and his

Hi^ School in 1916 and from Phillips University in 1920. During

1898. His parents removed to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1904 and there he was baptized at the age of eleven. He was graduated from Tulsa

tian Church. He married his life co-worker, Miss Gertrude Howe,

Mrs. Gertrude Howe^ Morris is the youngest of five children in a Baptist minister's famUy. She graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma, taught in the .High School at Tonkawa, Oklahoma, and after her marriage studied Bible at Phillips Uni

versity. She has been a staimch and faithful missionary worker,


teacher and home-maker.

As before related, the Morses reached the mission station at Batang, West China, before the close of 1921 and remained there studying languages and native conditions imtil 1927 when war along

^e border made missionary withdrawal advisable. Two other mis sionary families accompanied the Morses through the alinost un known I4su territory, across Burma. The Morses came by way of

Palestine and southern Europe to the homeland port of New York.


1928 was spent making arrangements for the cooperative mis

sion work which began at Yea Chi, Yunnan Province, West China,
in 1930. Associates in the new field were the Vemon Newlands,

who did their language-study at Kunming. They came up to Yea


Chi and administered that mission station when the Morses took

their 1935-37 furlough. Dr. Norton H. Bare and family, formerly at Batang, held the-Kang Pu station part of the time during the
absence of the Morses. Each of these families had their own sup

port independent of the Moises and were as free as the Morses were

in their ^oice of fields of work. Each hoped to establish mission


stations within the borders of Tibet proper. War conditions and

needed furloughs finally brought the two families back to America. Mr. Harold Taylor was one of the Morse party on their return to China in 1937. He went up-country to Yea Chi with them and there he had an opportunity to nurse Mr. Morse through terrible
attacks of fever and was himself cared for by them when he was stricken with a temporary paralysis. Because of his inability to make long foot-trips ,over the mountains, he located at Tali, on the Burma Road, after his marriage. Miss Isabel Maxey, now Mrs. Warren Dittemore, was also in the 1937 party. She did language study in Kunming, then came

up-cquntry to open a missionary home at Kang Pu. Besides the valuable preaching and teaching work which she did from that center, Miss Maxey was able to care for the Morse family after the Mekong river flood at Tobalo swept away much of their household
and missionary equipment. That crisis was met by the two heroic women, Gertrude Morse and Isabel Maxey, for Mr. Morse and the
two older sons were away on preaching trips.

Miss Maxey continued as a worker for the Tibetan-Lisuland home on the upper Salween river in 1940 and made preaching and teaching trips among the eager Lisu people. She realized the great opportunities for Christian teachers among the Lisu and was asked

by Mr. Morse to return to America to recruit and train new workers


for the Tibetan border.

Miss Msxey continued as a worker for the Tibetan-Lisuland


missions after her return to America. She has interested several

wonderful young people who are missionary volunteers, especially


Mr. and Mrs. David Rees, now doing Chinese language study at

Berkeley, California.

Her marriage to Mr. Warren -Dittemore,

already studying for tiie mission field, assures the Tibetan-Iiisuland

Phu^ches of Clurist, of competent direction during the next fvirlough

6f the Morse family. Miss Dorothy Sterling^ nurse-mission^y and

teacher, reached tile mission station late in ,1944 and is npw occupied ill leariiirig the language and adjusting herself to the oiften trying
new way of a primitive ^eai ' As Mr. Morse once wrote: "The n^sionary lives from one crisis to another." The way of the cross
is never e^sy. v . -

The Morse sons are now men. Eugene, living-link missionary of the Compton, Calif., Church of Christ, has carried a full evangel ical load for several years. He was trained by the Calvert Cor respondence School and by soine high school work in Oklahoma City ind in Tulsa, and later correspondence work in specialized subjects. He has marked engineering and building abilities and is

a tireless evangelist.
Robert Howe Morse, the second son, was bom at Batang in 1923. His education was similar to that of Eugene with the addition of two years in Hwa Chung College. He excels in languages and in teaching skills. Since 1943 he has assisted the U. S. Army (IndiaChina Division) as interpreter and in the Search and Rescue Unit of "the Hump" area.. His missions in that work have made him acquainted with all the leading men of a very wide area. LaVerne Morse, a long-legged sixteen-year-old,_ was bom in Los Angeles, but learned Chinese before he did English. Although

his formal schooling was slight, it was pieced out by the Calvert
System and he is now doing honor-student work as a Junior in Central High School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he lives with his grandmother, Mrs. Ruth Morse. He will represent the work of the mission in several summer-camps and schools. Ruth Margaret, "the longed for daughter", was born in Hong Kong, February 25, 1935, and has spent most of her life along the border. She is a happy, healthy young girl who will doubtless be considerably bewildered by the strange doings of Americans when she comes back to us.
No account of the mission would be complete without mention of the fosterrdaughters, Anzie and Drema. They are part Chinese, part Tibetan, and were left as orphan charges with the Morses on the death of Dudgi, who had been Mrs. Morse's cook. Bamabas, who went with Mr. Morse to Calcutta as proof-reader on the Lisu books which were printed there, is a fine specimen of Uie Lisu preachers and teachers who have developed by the mission program. The Tibetan-Lisuland mission follows the New Testament plan of evangelism and church organization. Every encouragement is given to bright yoimg natives to develop into self-reliant church workers, teachers and preachers. The Word of God has literally

spread from village to village until now there are over thirty strong congregations of readers, inquiries and Christians in the upper Salween valley alone. Most of these congregations have built their own houses of worship and they help to support their own native
money reward for church attendance.

pastoirs and teachers. Ihey are not "rice Christians", expecting a

Education has been spread through ^ort-term schools con ducted by the missionaries, by visitsof teachers to individual homes or to study-groups, and through District Conventions. Membeis of

the mission-staff visit thecongregations asthey make walking-tours


of the northern or southern circuits; They cross the mountain-

divide to revisit the first congregations in the Mekong Valley or go


west over another divide to visitthe newest congregations along the
&rawaddy river valley. Some of thdr Christians are true Tibetans
living over the line in Tibet.

The three great river-trenches of this area lead from Burma into Inner Tibet and they are helps as well as hindrances to the spread of the Gospel, for there are alwajns footpalhs from one vil

lage to the next It is hard walking for an American, but not too hard for soldiers of the Cross. There are literally more inquiries and requests for teaching and for Bible leaflets than the present
mission-force can handle.

The war has bo.th hindered the missionary work and increased its effectiveness. Many of the most capable native boys have been
recruited for the Chinese army. The Japanese blockade of China's ports produced a famine in clothing materials, paper, and food. It brought on a money inflation that is past description. This distress

has beensomewhat relieved by the supplies which Mr.Morse bought in India and which the army transport service delivered by para chute. This service was in partial payment for the help rendered
by members of the mission and of the native congregations in the emergency services of the Search and Resue Unit. The army knows that it is hi^y important that friendly relations be established and maintained with the natives. In this way the mission family has helped both the army and the extension of Christian work.
Thus is modem civilization spread among remote parts of the world. If the work of the mission can be maintained and, extended, this new cultiure will be Christian. With a people of high native intelligence, with more than five thousand professing Christians
^wd over 30 established congregations, a foimdation has been laid for future work which justifies the devotion of the men and women
who devote themselves to God's harvest in the Hbetan-Lisuland

Churches of Christ "What has been done is history; what is to be done is faith, sacrifice and courage. God leads the way.

1920-1945

Co-workers for a Quarter of a Century, J. Russell and Gertrude Morse have steadfastly preached the
Gospel to the peoples of the Tibetan bonder.

This is from the Commanding General of the United States Army Air Corces, dated Sept. 19, 1944:
"Dear Mr. Morse: ''

"To you and your family I express the gratitude of the Army Air Forces and my personal appreciation for the work you are doing and have done among the Lisu tribes of West China, to effect
the rescue of American Air crew members who have been forced

down in that area. Search and rescue work initiated by you, and your efforts to counteract enemy propoganda, coupled with your unlimited zeal to Christianize and educate the Lisus have proved of
inestimable value to the United Nations' cause in this war . . .

"The manner in which you have continued to battle seemingly


insurmountabU obstacles has won the admiration of all who are

familiar with your work ... I am sure that when the chronicle of your outstanding achievements can safely be told, this feeling will be echoed by all Christian peoples. "The Army Air Force recognizes the importance of your work,
both to the successful prosecution of this war and to the establish

ment of better relations between the people of this country and those of the Valley.
To each of you may I extend the commendation and thanks of the Army Air Forces for your efforts on our behalf and the assur ances of our highest esteem." The following letter was written by the Major General Com manding, Air Transport Command, U. S. Army Air Forces, Sep*
11, 1944:
"Dear Mr. Morse:

"I want to take this opportunity to express the great apprecia tion of this Command for the work that you and your family are
doing in your district in Valley.

"When the story of your efforts in the saving of American Army Air Force personnel can be told to the public without endan gering your very lives and wiping out the magnificent work you are

doing with the natives, I know l5ie entire population of the United
States will certainly join me in the expression of greatest gratitude

to you and your famiy.


"Not only do I want to express the feelings of this Command

for your efforts in behalf of the United Nations' war effort, but to extend my gratitude for the Christian missionary work you are
doing with the natives of your district.

"Your magnanimous efforts in assisting the Air Transport Command to return fliers who have bailed out during flights over your valley have been of untold value. All authorities of the Cemtral Government of China, the Diplomatic Services of the United

States in both India and China, are being informed of your pres ence and the part you are playing in behalf of the United Nations."

1945 NEWS ITEMS


From the Letters of
Mrs. Gertrude Morse Robert H. Morse Miss Dorothy Sterling workers in

THE TIBETAN-LISULAND CHRISTIAN MISSIONS


"Where Chiria, Tibet and Burma Meetf'

J. Russell Morse, Director


"The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."
Psalms:

From Letters Written by Mrs. Gertrude H. Morse


April 4 to May 6,1945.
Our Dear Precious Loved Ones; All

I am so veiy hunffry for lexers i^m each of you that I can hardly wait for the mountain pass to open. We have had three snows this year and one is said to be the heaviest in forty or fifty years. Many houses went down xmder the weight of the snow. We kept our three houses from collapse by raking off the snoweach morning, but, even th^, the house where we isleep cracked and creaked so badly that Russell stayed up to keep watch. Ruth was
so afraid! The wash house where bur two. little calves most of

the chickens were went down, also the regular chicken house and the cow-barn. One calf was somewhat hurt, but it is now alright. One chicken was killed. We thanked the Lord sigain and again for His loving protection over us aU during that storm. Now the
sun has come out very brightly and melted most of the snow on

the passes, so we are hopiog to get letters before very long . . .


Just now a messenger came from Da-da, where Eugene and
Mr. Morse are working, with six letters from America wMch were

brought there by plane last Simday!!! What a surprise! TOat a

joy! Last Sunday we saw a plane going nor^ up the valley; then
it returned at the end of the first sermon. We saw it wiggle one

wing at us before it went back south, so we thought perhaps it had

dropped something at the better landing fidd at Da-da.

Sure enough, they dropped a big mail packet but Daddy and Eugene had time only, to .read the. six letters which they sent us before it was necessary for the messenger to start on his trip to Pugeleh. You see it was on Sunday, and there was an attendance of 283 in the church services at Da-da, so bur men had much to do.
It was so wonderful to know from these letters that our home folks
were well as usual.

The plane also dropped a letter from the Transport Command saying that they appreciated our being here so very much and that they would drop anything we wanted so we shall ask tiiem to drop the Lisu Bibles if they can get them from Calcutta. .Our Lord is able to bring even this to pass if it is His will. He has done mar velous things already. How w6 do thank and praise Him!
We are all much better since having the vitamins which Russell brought from India, and he, especially, is in better health than he has been for years. Eugene had another attack of sinus trouble but he cleared it up by taking some vitamins and a sulfa medicine. Robert writes that he is getting ^ong very well. He intended going
south on the rescue work but he went earlier than he at first

planned because a front tooth was broken off when he was on a searching expedition foi: a plane that fell near Chin-ah-long. As he had to hxmt for some down-planes south of here, which he could do

best from a plane, he went to an army base where he could get his dentistry done and also get a scouting plane. Now Daddy and Eugene must go north to hunt for four planes which have crash^ in the mountains. You know they combine this work with their preaching and teaching trips. Our Ruthie is growing fast these days. She is four feet four inches tall and has rosy cheeks ind brown hair. Miss Sterling

Ihin^ !^e is getting along very well with her studies, but as I have
Because of the many needles of calcium, iron and liver which Russell has given me since his return from Calcutta, I am much stronger than I was last summer. Miss Sterling brought some helpful medicines and all the natives have been prasong for me.

no school course for her, I cannot tell. Robert will get books and the adyancied Calvert course for her in Calcutta.

For almost a year I was so ill.during the ni^t times that I really
wondered if I would be alive when Daddy and Eugene got back from Calcutta. Then I would feel stronger during the daytime.

have strength enough to do the things I had to do. Nbw I think perhaps I diall be well again some day but I am worried because
my memory is so uncertain. Is that a characteristic of ^emia?

My blood pressure was low and I was so aenemic, that.I did not

Eugene has been tied to the Da-da house-building since before Christmas but he came to the convention at Ye-^ and he also taught in the school which we held at Da-da. He preaches and

te'g^es, confers with the elders and Christians, marries those who come for such, gives medicine to the sick and supervises the build
for awhile then went with Robert. Eugene needs sonie '.'home cook

supervising "flie carpenters. Tao-drin-wha or Gideon, helped him


ing up here for a few days. You see, Eugene has been at Da-da for
four and a half, months without once coming home. His provisions

ing, a very heavy load for one person. It is hard to. get some one to cook for him and take care of everj^hing while he is out

are so unsatisfactory tl^t I have sent a cow to Da-da, so he can


have the fresh milk he so much needs.

After the snows, Daddy and I had a lot of fixing to do around


here and of course there are alwajrs many people each day who come for medicines, advice or teaching.

Miss Dorothy Sterling stayed with us at Pug^leh, studying

want her to leam the language while we are here and can help her interpret and translate native talk.

Lisu, teaching Ruth and helping with the medical work. We aU

All new missionaries find language study a drudgery and all new missionaries want to begin work with the natives at once, and,

naturally, Miss Sterling wants to dp the medical work wHch she sees needing to be done.. However, she was doing very well with her language study and of coiu-se she was a great help with Ruth's school work. I value a woman's compansionship after so many
lonely years.

You will remember Mrs. Cooke, of the Inland Christian Mis sion, who was here a few years ago helping in one of our schools. She died in India on her way to the states. Mr. Cooke married again and the present Mrs. Cooke was so ill recently that Mr. Cooke was afraid to leave her to come to get Miss Sterling to nurse hei;. His letter, came by specialmessenger two days after Robert stained south, so we decided to sendanothermessenger after Robert

Miss Sterling's party thus overtook Robert and his porters arid they went on together the rest of the journey down river. If neces sary, Miss Sterling will stay until the baby is bom or about July first, but she will continue her language study there for Mr. Cooke is a fine linguist. He is now trai^ting some of the Psalms into
Lisu and Robert has done some of that work when he was at the Cooke home. ,

asldng him to wait for Miss Sterling and her guide and porter.

The work of the mission and of the various congregations moves forward. Our native teachers, John and Mukerji Philip, ^e in the Ahkyang valley this year where they have been teaching most of fhe time. John said the people studied, night after ni^t,
until the cocks crowed at dawn. They taught for a month around

main evangelists and a student-preacher helping each one of the


evangelist-teachers. Each circuit has from three to four churches

Tit-i-gu and as John is a. good teacher, I think the people there leaped a lot. This valley is divided into ten circuits, with ten

in it, besides the surrounding country of tiiat circuit, all of which must be taken care., of by ^nf. prpapW^^T' Our faithful Paul, who spent two years in Mon-di, has returned and Yi-la-ga Mark has taken his place. AH .such changes are made with our approval and usually on our request. With ex
perience and study our native helpers develop wonderfully. We see God's wprk in their lives. We shall send help to Pushi who has the difficult work in the Mekong valley.

and left Drema and Ruth to care for the home? Due to smallpox
and the food famine we had a smaller niunber than usual at the

Did I tell you that Anzi and I went to the southern convention

convention. I suffered so much making the mountain pass that the Christians made a wha-gan and carried me most of the way from Madee to Go-da on the return trip. Yet I was able to take charge of the convention, with the help of David, Barnabas and Timothy. Many sick people came to that convention. My, I love to go on those preaching trips so much that I can hardy stand not to go, but this anemia often gets me down. Pray for us. We can go on
only in His strength and grace. .; .
May 4, .

phone at Da-da, as it circled south along the river looking for Robert. This was the scouting plane^for downed c^go planes. Then on May 1st Robert flew back in the same plane and dropped
two notes for us. He had been to Assam. On the Way Over the

Great news!

Eugene talked with a pl^e, through his radio

over Da-da but yesterday he returned and talked wth Eugene throu^ the radio. Wonderful! On the wings of the air!

Hump, ice formed on the planers wings so that it wasn't safe to circle

you. The Lord despises a proud heart. Be sure you pray much, read a portion in your Bible prayerfully each day and walk humbly
(Signed) Gertrtide Morse.

And now a message for our dear LaVeme in the home-land: You will be called many places to witness for Christ and tell or His work here in these regions, but see that you do tiot get proud. You must keep yourself humble before the Lord else He cannot use
before Him. Let God's Word guide you. May His blessing be upon you and upon all His followers in His world.

From Robert H. Morse, Search and Research Unit


Assam and West China
April 29 to May 6,1945

I've just found that the army has lifted censorship about this place now that we've beat the enemy out of Burma, so I can say
a few things.

crazy walking marathons, I believe that I should have a good


chance of commg off the victorand of going into a hospital, too.
I walked out of "The Hump"

I have had a fairly busy time lately, as well as ah exciting, adventurous one. Should I ever have to compete in one of those

south. Then I rode in a command car along the Burma, or


had a little Lisu hoy with me,

country following the Salween

*
^
'

Ledo Road. What a thrill! I


Gidean, 14 years old, and he

i j .a

I haven't seen Mom and Dad

although the other day I flew


over them and talked to Robert H. Morse and Gideon Tao

Eugene through the ether. I have had the rare experi ence of standing at the very

base of one of the tallest known mountains in this section ,"Kargapo," where many lives had been lost and more probably will be lost to a cruel monster that mostly lives in a dark fog cloud. I was at about 14,000 feet altitude, yet the precipitous west side of the great

(Jiff towered massively, seeiningly unendingly, for another esti


mated 10^000 feet. Operation here is costly mainly due to weather currents and air-ice. Sometimes, to save a ship, a crew will have to jettison a load, anything from gas and bombs to about 8,000 pounds of cargo. Sometimes that doesn't save the ^p.
The end of this page coming up to meet me reminds me of the way the groimd came up to smack us in our ship the other day when the pilot decided to land in a space of only 150 feet or so.

Maybe, with Germany out of the war, my job may soon be


something different.

(Signed) Robert H. Morse

From Miss Dbrofhy Sterling, Missionary Nurse at Pugeleh


Jan. 2, 1945.

I recently attended the Northern District Christian Convention on the upper Salween. The people saw us coming and we must
have shaken hands with several hxmdred before we reached the

house. A Lisu house usually consists of two, or at the most three, rooms. A room in one of the larger houses had bfifin_5eserved. for
us. There is no fumitiure in such a house but there is a central

firehole. Everyone sits on the floor around the fire to eat iand visit and finally to sleep. We had brou^t cots and bed rolls which we arranged around the room. After a, quick supper, there was the opening service of the Convention.
The people of the village had built an extension to the church building but even then not all the people could get inside. Over eight hundred Lisu Christians were present. They all sat on the floor crowded together, the women on one side and the men on the other. Robert and Eugene each preached at one service and the Lisu preachers for the rest of the services! Such singing! I wish you could hear it! But their best singing is done around the camp fires after the services; They sat in groups and sang their

.wi& them long into the ni^t. I was too tired to do this the first
two nights but couldn't resist-on the last night for the music was so beautiful. I played my violin for them and then they sang as I played. Mrs. Morse suid I went to. bed about midnight.

favorite hymns for hours on end. They have been trained to sing in parts and the harmony is wonderful. Eugene and Robert sang

The Christians just walk into your room and sit aroxmd your

fire and when you go to bed you just get into your bed-roll and leave the visitors. We did just that. Presently they tired of talk

ing and went out but I couldn't go to sleep. Then I got up and re joined the singers. We sang and sang imtil two 'clock when I

again went to "bed "but Robert and one of fhe groups sang until daylight' Everyone was loathe to go home on Monday although ihe Convention had been in almost continuous session for three days
and ni^ts!

I could understand very little of the sermons, knowing so little of the language but in spite of this, I enjoyed the Convention more than any I have ever attended. It gave me a far better undersanding of the people and love for them and for this work. On the morning of our departure all othe people made a huge "Friaidship Circle" and prayed and sang "God Be With You". Then everyone marched around and shook hands with everyone else. This custom of shaking hands is peculiar to the Christians for there was no such
native custom.

Then the peojde started home. I stood and watched a long line
of them winding their way northward along the mountainside, going single file because of tiie narrow trail. Robert, Eugene, Mrs. Morge ^d Drema went north to hold a school and Ruthie and I

re^iarned tb Pugid^. "We had almost seven strai^t hours of walkmg. Needless to say,.we w^e weary when we got home, but it was an e3q)CTiei;ce for whi^ Aankful. The people are eager
persecutions that result for some of them. ' *

t6 be taught aiid m^y of them are turning to Qirist in spite of


Some of the leaders of the churches south of here tried to

-pemi^e. Mr. Morse to~have me com& to their district^for awhfle


but as onTy Ruthie could go with me as interpreter and as I am to go south in lihe spring to the Cooke mission it seemed to me unwise

for me to go^ this time. Perhaps I can stop off on the spring trip when I knowth^language better. Please continue yourearnest
prayers for the missionaries^a^ for these people.
(Signed) DoROTBnr Sterling

PASSED FOR P'JSLlCATiOiJ U.S. AT.;MY PRESS CENSOR

VX

HEADQUARTERS 51st. SERVICE GROUP


AIR SERVICE COMli'lAND
Office of the Chaplain

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rviysoBTi^ c^tb' '


INDJA-.

// '" V

3!2oc CHiN.^ BURMA

APO # 6^9, HYC.


5 January 1945.

Doroti^ Fay Foster


fc-9 & Cutter St.
Dear Sirs:

Cincinnati, Ohio.

I am sending you a story that has ccme ny way and in v>-hich I had

a small share, it is of a great Missionary ventuTe of Faith, and as I am


located so near to the source I know much first liand about the venture. .

High up in the Himalaya moimtains of ?Jest China among the hill

peoples of the Lisu, Nung and Knung tribes is located the Yxmnan-Tibetan
Christian Mission of vThich B3?o. J. Russel Morse (formerly of^Tulsa, Okla.)
is the director on the field. It was one of. ny very urgent desires when I

came to duty as a Arny Chaplain to a unit in the province of ASSAM, India,


to "'"ay a visit to this mission, as it was sup),orted by our ov/n Christian Churches in the St&.tes.

Hov/ever, on 27th.June 1944, while I was on a visit to patients


in the local Arny hospital I was introduced by the Hospital chaplain to a missionary vvho had come in for a little medical attention. To nj" great joy I ininied-

and surprise it was ny friend of mai^ yec!.rs Bsto. J, Russel Morse.

iately too^ iiim in charge and we. went to_ meet his son Eugene and the native
evangelist Barnabas.who had accompanied him out from the mssion.
The occasion of the visit out to India at this time was to bring
out a crew of air men who were forced to bail out near their mission some

three months previously and who had been lodged in their mission home for

two month awaiting the opening of the passes so they co'old come out over the
snow^covered mountains with ^safety*"?

The first part of July the Morses' and Barnebas went to Calcutta to get supplies and also to secure the printing and binding of 5000 gospel

song books in the Lisu langUG.ge to be used among the Lisu Christians in the

llissions 40 churches.

"p:'ge # 2
In two months this task was accoi^lished (ordinarily

a six months job) and th^ brought the song books and other supi;lies back up to Assam, where also was assembled several tons of food and other needed
su..plies and arrangements were made to have the supplies flov.n in and dropped by ^chute' at their mission station. Trliile in Calcutta arrangements were

made to have printed tiiree thousand Bibles in the Lisu language.


Mr. Morse was able tlxrough the Cliinese Govt. and our Arn^'- to secure

air priority for a new medical missionary. Miss Dorothy Sterling, Phoenix, Ariz.^
to come out at this time and accompany them back into the "Heart of the Hump"

region as we know their mission territory.


itt

Miss Sterling"will work albi:^ with


It was

the Morsesj^rescue work, taking care of the medical necessities.

through this medical service that B/Iiss Sterling can render to any personnel

forced dovoi in that region that she was permitted travel at this tinje.

In ten

days from time she left the States she was at ny station in Assam, India, where
she T/as quartea^ed with the local Red Cross ladies and v/as the guest of our camp
for eleven days.

After several days searching we Y/ere able to find enough suitable

clothing(she was allowed only 50 pounds baggage) etc. to last several months
or until her^^;hipment of boxes and hospital supplies can arrive by boat. She

did find ample supplies, not 5th Avenue assoitment, (she will not need that "typ
where she is going) but good G.I. variety. Also, she and Mr. Morse were able

to secure from all sources iTicliiiding the Amy enough supplies of medicine to

fit out an adequate medicine chest, also a small first aid station.

This

material will be available to ar^ ijersonnel also to natives of the mission.

On October 11 Ivii'. iibx-se, son Fi-igene, native evangelist Barnabas,


Mss Sterling and nyself, with about bOOO poimds of baggage crossed the Hump and "set dov.n" in China at a place about tv>o weeks joxarn^ overland from their
mission, where they v.-ere providentially met fcy a local missionary v/ho took

them to his station and gave them shelter until, such time as they could make

up a carsvan and get ready to proceed.

That was the last I sav/ of the mission

4
r

page # S
' '

party, as it was not possible for me to journey farther with them at this
time. I confess to a feeling of envy of this two week caravan trek and

subsequent work, after seeing the territory over which they must journey to
their mi&sion, high mountains, deep and v-icked gorges, forest, jungle and

mountain trails, weather unspeakably beautiful,, fitted for camping out along

the v.'^, going to a land of a spleddid, primitive, happy^ ^irietian people


the Lisu*

Some one may ask, "W have a Christian miasion in a location seem

ingly so inaccessible?" The ansT'er liis in an incident which occured in the

years 1926-27.

v.:. e severe civil wars going on in West China and several


The way across China

missionaries were ordered out by American authorities*

was terrorized by various bands, so the missionc^^ries decided to take to the

hills and try crossing the ffi.malayas (the Hump) to Scd'ety in Burma or India,
Their route took them through Lisu territory. The Us.u x-^roved friendly and

helpful, providing cs.rriers and coolies, helped them walk the treacheroxis paths
of the mountains and jungles to safety in Burma. It v/as then and there promised

that if God would permit a return^the Morse family would take the Gospel to the
Lisu. Two years later they retiarned and by the grace of God, established the Now there are 5,000 Christians most of whom have been

work among the Lisu.

taught to read, 40 churches almost v;ho/|y self-supporting-and who .carry--on.


regular v.orship services under leadership of native pastors. In addition to the

work of teaching of and worship to Christ as Savior and Lord, the missionaries

tell me of-feew they have helped the native farmers to cross pollinate corn and

produce h;^"brid w^^^yields equal to our own in corn belt of ny sEte of Illinois,
Bro. Morse has taught the natives hov/ to graft and bud good varieties of fruit
from America and other countries on to the native stock. Also how Eugene has

taught better technique in house construction and the making of cement from
native rock.
\

Llany of the natives have been given limited medical care from Jfe*.
r

, Morse) own medical supplies

Pag

'

,
It will be of special interest to note that while the Morses and

Miss Sterling were visiting me and "sweating out" the trip over the Hump,

that thqy very gracioiisly spoke on two occasions to all five of ny chapel

services, telling of their work and future plans^ /^ter each service^the men
would crowd around each of the missionaries and talk with them foranother two

hoiirs.

As a share and part in their mission work the men of ncr command gave Also

them several pocketknives to be used in the work of grafting and budding.

th^ gave them other items^ one cannot get in China as sheath knives, watches,
fountain pens, etc. They gave of their money too for the work of the mission

$485.72, which sum Mr. Morse has applied on the printing and binding of the
3,000 Lisu song books.

There m^ be those vfho desire to assist this mission work, and I have

seen the work being done and most heartly recommend itji flease do not send
money direct to the missionaries, but send to their forwarding represent.tives in the States, and it will be forv/arded to a bank in India,^ I/o*. Mrs. W. K. Chamberlain, ZZl N. Herbert, Los Angeles, Cal. or to Mr.Mrs. C.R, Sterling,
154 W. Merrillw-Street, Phoenix, Ariz.
The newest recruit to reach the field is Rliss Sterling. She comes

adequated prepared for the task ahead.

She is a gospel preacher in her own

-right, a graduate-of Cincinnati Bible Seminayy,


considerable study toward a degree in medicine.

Registered nurse-and -has had


It is her desire in addition

to her first task of preaching the Gospel to also start a hospital for the

native people, training native girls to be nurses and helpers.


Other missionaries novc ready and awaiting "clearance" to come on out

to relieve the Morses* for a much needed rest and furlough and to help expand

the rapidly growing v/ork i>6 Mr. & Pvlrs. Warren (Isabel Maxey) Dittemore.
hope to come out during the coming year.

They

Just a few days afeo Miss Sterlings baggage arrived in India, was

brought up to Assam, and dropped by 'chute* at the Mission.

We are glad that

rrp

Jl
li

her equipment arrived safely and could be sent in now instead of having to wait
till the passes opened in the spring, in overland.

Sincerely and fraternally yours.

SLD RICHARDS

ChapilLin (Captain)AUS.

Ps. In Dorothy*s last letter to me dated latter part of November, she

sSd~^t~^ert would not be coming o^ this winter, and also that she
had the plans made now for the construction of her a home and Clinic.
She expects to get started on the construction this coming summer.

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY


Mai'cli 1, 145

BATANG NEWS
I have written some of you that
Bi'other Shao's good work was win

MISS SCHWAKE AT CHENGTU


Nov. 19, 1944. (To Miss Palmer.)
I am out on the porch with an end table, following the sun around

ning recognition, and he was giving


medical
Gartok

care

to

Col.
Shao

Fu's soldiers.
asked to be

When Dr. (?) Whang returned from


Brother

to keep warm. You know how damp and cold it is here, cold because of

the dampness. relieved of his duties in the military My what fond memories all the dispensary. The Colonel countered by places brought back as we passed offering him a Captain's commission. through, yet frought with pain too. Timothy Shao replied that he must It hardly seems possible that four ask to be excused because of his y_ears ago I nearly had my heart torn duties to the Church and to the civil
dispensary.

out of my breast when that plane

This pleased me well, for he used


to be afraid of offending those in

rose skyward with your face looking


down at me for the last time In how
many years only the Lord will know.

authority, and he has his wife and


four sons to feed, so the added in
come offered must have been a real

I arrived here a week ago just at dusk. Naomi and I proceeded to the temptation. He made the right de China Inland Mission in rickshas at the staggering price of ?200 each cision and I give him credit for it. Among recent converts I think and we needed three. Do you recall

Gwei-yin is showing the greatest we rode in one for 50 cents? Now spiritual growth. She is eager for that is the equivalent of |50. We found the C.I.M. crowded to opportunities to hear the Word. She IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! is making a serious effort to bring capacity. They had an unexpected With this issue we are introducing up her children as Christians. avalanche from Honan of mission to you our new Associate Editor and Ho-shang and Ah-che are growing, aries driven out by the Japanese. Forwarding Secretary, Mrs. Arthur too. They attend services regularly, On Wednesday I came out to see H, Schaal, who has volunteered to and are making an effort to train about my medical routine. I was ad
Mrs. Arthur H. Schaal assume the burden of these two tasks

their children. Ho-shang still needs to 1elieve Miss Palmer for returning our prayers. to the field or entering Chinese Lan Chengo and Synom are our weak guage School, as the Lord directs est ones. They are having a difficult and provides. time and I hope the chastening will
Mrs. Schaal is a young married woman with two small children, a member of the University City Chris tian Church, St. Louis, Missouri. She has had a University education in business and has had experience in office and secretarial work, bookke-cping, department managing, and editing a small magazine. She is heartily recommended by a former emi)loyer, h e r minister, Sunday School teacher, and missionary so ciety president. She is vitally interested in the do them good. (Continued on page 4)

vised to move out here to the campus because it would mean daily trips for me and with rickshas- at $100
or more to the campus I decided to

come. The U.C.M.S. has just rented a Baptist mission house for Miss

Gray and Mrs. Gish.


In.

They took me

God surely has shown His hand

NAOMI AND JOSEPH


Naomi is still the same precious comforter she has always been. We pray things through so nicely to gether. God has honored our prayers so many times hence our courage in
all emergencies. Joseph has developed so beauti

(Continued on page 4)

fully I am sure Dr. and Mrs. Bare worli of this mission as well as all will always be thankful for their in

loyal missionary work, and has been vestment.

I know I do not regret

praying for an opportunity to serve what I have put into him when I see Christ in some definite way, just as his development. He is so helpful to wc have been praying for guidance me now, too. in linding just tbe right person for Josci'h hopes lo go to Batang with

this job, so we feel sure the Lord has friends of mine soon. His things from She also has Bares were all stolen. He has one the promise of help when she needs suit made from a blanket Mrs. it from various groups and indi Nichols gave him. I am loaning him my coat and my two wool blankets viduals in her local church. From now on we are asking that to go back In. He will ride our horse you send all offerings for this work back. I'm sending saddle too, as to Mrs. Schaal, except contributions there are so many thieVes here these (Continued on page 4) days.Gladys Schwake.
led us to each other.

Miss Gladys F. Schwake, R.N.

Page 2

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY


Issued QuM*terly EditorMiss Melba Palmer,
Because

NOTICE ! I
for some time now we

THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK


"The cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" John 18:11. My Savior drank the bitter cup Of Calvary for me; My Father asks no harder task
Or sacrifice from me.

1137 have not had the necessary space in


these papers to list all contributors

Hilyard St., Eugene, Oregon. Associate Editor Mrs. Arthur H. Schaal, 6709 Plymouth Ave., Uni versity City 14, Missouri. MissionariesMr. Edgar Nichols and Mis^ Gladys P. Schwake, R.N., Batang, Sikang, West China. Also

for our work, we have decided to make such reports annually in mime

Former MissionariesDr. and Mrs. the Tibetan Missionary and they will
Norton H. Bare, Ingleside, Ne be sent to all who request them. braska. Mrs. Edgar Nichols, 4902

ograph form, the fii'st report includ ing all gifts received since our last printed list. When these are avail Miss Melba Palmer, preparing to able, announcement will be made in return.

Sometimes it's hard to understand

Or

Pratt St., Omaha 4, Nebraska.

Forwarding Secretary^Mrs. Arthur


H. Schaal.

Just what His plan may be, why He takes His servants through Long hours of agony;

ENCOURAGEMENT
Please continue sending me the Tibetan Missionary. As soon as I receive it, I sit right down and read every word and then go to prayer for each faithful one and for the good
work. There is no work that thrills
me like the Tibetan.

LIVING LINK SUPPORT The question has been asked


whether any of our missionaries have living link support. So far neither Edgar Nichols, Gladys Schwake, or Melba Palmer have liv

But always His great plan is there. Although we cannot see; And shall I not, like Jesus, drink
The cup He's given me?

BEHIND THE LINES


You are all familiar with the war

ing link support pledged to them.


If it were not for the inflation in China the present offerings, though

I am always so glad to read any


thing Miss Schwake writes, she has
so much faith one can feel she lives
close to her Lord.

department advertisements featuring the military man (qualified and


trained for front line duty, but forced
to remain behind the lines to take

Tibet and it also is a good work you could be used to enlarge the work are doing here. We pray for you of America to "release a man for and train and send out native and that God will raise up others of active duty." I think I know now
workers.

care of the details involved in keep Also we think it a splendid type missionaries on the field, but if they of work you are desirous of doing in ing supplies, etc., moving to those at the front) calling upon the women had regular salaries, these funds

irregular, would be sufficient for the

Besides supporting two native Lydia Duescher. children and two Bible Women, Miss Schwake always has a great dear~ot extra expense connected with the MRS. BARE WRITES medical work, which is vital to the How my heart aches for Gladys as success of the mission as well as to I think of the problems, the difficul
ties, and the responsibilities she has doing to face! We are remembering her well, and a fund has been started in special prayer as she takes that for his return to the States, which terrible trip.
the health of the missionaries.

like

faith

to

go

with

you.Mrs.

just how they feel,

Melba

Palmer

is

qualified

and

trained for work on the Tibetan field. We on the home Jtrpnt must

"release her for active duty."

I am

taking over the routine details which

JVIr. Nichols seems

to

be

he hopes to accomplish this year, if Neither you nor I will ever forget help can be gotten to the field. what we endured even under the It is quite likely that Miss Palmer comparatively favorable circum unusually heavy. Inflation has made will not be given permission to stances of our respective journeys it necessary to curtail the out station return to Tibet until she has ade down that memorable road. May God work done around Batang. It is up quate- suppoi-t pledged, as well as supply to her the daily strength and to us, here on the home front, to sufficient funds on hand for the courage, and may He daily press a furnish the financial equipment to "back the attack."Mrs. Arthur H. journey. burden on responsive hearts in this This work could progress more country for prayer and fellowship Schaal.
rapidly if one or more churches in sacrifice. would assume at least part of the Naturally we are anxious, too, FINANCIAL NEEDS support of our missionaries. about Edgar, who, except as the cir I feel like I was in the ark with cumstances seem to require it, should Noah and no window but the one certainly not be left in his broken heaven ward. May I keep my eyes MISS PALMER'S PLANS

she has been handling here. All of us must keep the supplies moving. Her financial requirements, whether for travel or language school, will be greater than during the past few years while at home. At the present time Miss Schwake's expenses are

tion, and a greater measure of com border work. I hope our people have ley, California, for the next term, panionship than any one else we can been willing I should have this rest. suppose to be available.Mrs. Bare. which begins the first of March. With finances as they are now I Whatever progress I can make can't say I feel rested. Keep my need there while waiting will be a definite for rest before the people for as long
gain for the work later, so this time I wish to express my thanks for as I need to be down here. If I have will certainly be well spent. Please the many lovely greetings received financial anxiety I can't rest as you pray for me.Melba Palmer. at Christinas time.Melba Palmer. may well figure.Gladys Schwake.

Though I am still trying every way I know, I have as yet received no permission to return to Tibet. If something does not" develop along that line soon, I hope to enter the Chinese Language School in Berke

health, so destitute of human help directed there for surely vain is the and companionship. help of man.

I'm counting more maybe, than I I was over to see Sister Celinia at should, on Joseph's, early arrival. He Kangting and she says I have aged can offer more responsible co-opera 30 and gotten too thin. Such is the

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Page 3

JUNIOR MISSIONARY
A BABY'S ESCAPE

she tied the baby, or to lead the ani


The ill-natured husband

(This is a true story, heard and retold by Dorothy Nichols.)

and went right to work. Mama and mal through the dangerous stream. daddy both looked so tired. They
shouted had

again, more angrily, "Don't lead her The caravan slowly wound its way horse, let her go alone." The Ti along the narrow mountain trail. It betans stepped back. Drenma, terri was a cold morning and the young fied but silent, rode forward. Tibetan woman pulled the blankets The water swirled around the
closer around her child. She sat

stayed up late packing and gotten up early. They are working so hard. I wish they didn't have to.
If I were older I know I'd be ot much more use than I am.

quietly

on

the

horse

and

looked

calmly ahead, until the sharp voice as she clutched at the saddle the only five months and aren't un of her Chinese husband startled her, baby was thrown from her arms into packed. and she urged her horse to a faster the rushing torrent. July 3.^What relief!! We sure
pace.

The Nichols, Aunt Gladys, and horse's feet, his knees, Drenma's Aunt 'Melba don't have much packing ankles, and then he stumbled, and to do because they have been here

another.

Ho Lien Drong was a Chinese from their saddles into the river. Now we have only the last minute petty officer. He had gone to Batang One caught the baby as the swift things to pack. That's good because with th hope of making money, and urrent swept her by. He carried her we go tomorrow. We are leaving while there had married a Tibetan In his arms t? the bank while the lots of things. girl, although he had a wife in other led the horse of the chilled We watched th horses and mules China. He was not very nice to his jnd weeping mother. we hired coming this afternoon. They Tibetan wife, and after drinking he During this procedure. Ho Lien are coming in the meadow and in the fi-ould beat her. Drong had looked on with a sneer field by the "Shom-bas." Tomorrow It was worse after the little son ing and unpleasant laugh, but as the by this time we will be getting to our he had anticipated proved to be only horse was led up the river bank he camping place. How exciting! Edgar a baby girl. He was always sneering scolded Drenma for her carelessness. got some fire crackers to shoot off at, or tormenting her in one way or She wept as she wrung water from tomorrow.

Instantly

two

Tibetans

leaped have progressed yesterday and today.

Drenma took all this very

calmly. She had expected no more her to her own frightened heart. when she was forced to marry this
stranger.

^ Although Ho Lien nothing for his child, Drenma cared Drenma was grateful from the bot I don't remember it at all. much. She cherished her baby more tom of her heart. He did not even July 4.^We had lots of fun today. than her own life. Never was she mind that the water had almost We left at ten o'clock this morning. happier than when she was playing ruined his new bootshe had saved After we had left the last suberb
with her little one. a life.

Daddy, mama, Edgar, Garland, and Maribel are going to Lham-Di, Although the Tibetan who had but the Nichols, Aunt Gladys, Aunt saved the baby received no thanks Melba, and I_are going up to Batang. Drong cared from Ho Lien Drong he knew that Garland and I were born there, but

the baby's wet wrappings and hugged

and started going up the pass we Yes, Drenma was sent back from shot off a few fire crackers. be some young Tibetan had won her We are a large party. There are Kangting to her home village in the heart, but more likely her di-eams humiliating position of the rejected six in the Nichols family, six in our were of her little girl. What a kind wife, but there she could listen again family, Aunt Gladys, Aunt Melba, and helpful girl she would grow to to the teachings of the Lord Jesus fl;ve in the Shao family, four in the be, mayb the belle of the town! and let us pray that the little life Chen family, Di-yin, Joseph Wang, And she would marry one of her own snatched from the Litang River will 'rIozone (Paul), Lozone Jitsen,

At other times she dreamed. May

people, of that she was certain. sorry for her, and watched her with

blossom into beautiful Christian girl

Ongdi,

Jitsen Chupi and his wife

Many of the Tibetan horsemen felt hood.Dorothy Nichols.

Lilali, Gigen Ah-tring, Martha

(a

dark, somber eyes.

They knew the

ways of many of the Chinese that

MY TRIP OUT OF TIBE came to Batang. Ho Lien Drong along. would take her to Kangting and ^Or Diary of an Eleven-Year-Old We hadn't started early enough

Tibetan girl) and her husband Gway Sen, Jah Lama, all the horsemen, and then everyone has his belongings

abandon her and the baby when he


went back to his own wife.

By Marguerite Bare.)

to get to any village so we camped

Tsakalo, July 1, 1939.Today was here, right on the open mountain just filled with packing. They say side. It is beautiful and grassy here. She was aroused from her medi tations by the sharp voice - of her we have only two more days to stay There are some lovely wild flowers. husband and she perceived, in the here, and there is still an awful lot We are surrounded by trees close by same breath, that she was approach of packing to do. I don't see how and other mountains all around and ing a swift, icy stream. we can possibly get through in three in the distance. Ordinarily the baby would have days. Daddy says we will have to leave at this unfortunate moment she had a large per cent of our things here. been fondling her little one in her That's just dreadful because not a arms. She had the impulse to stop mite of good can come of it. The long enough to make the readjust lamas will take it all. ment, and on or two of the Tibetans July 2.We were all woken early stepped up to hold her horse while this morning, had an early breakfast
The natives cut down some scrub

been tied securely on her back, but

oaks and built fires to cook supper, after dark they made bigger fires
(the scrub makes beautiful fires and

sends out sparks), and Edgar lit the rest of th fire-crackers. The light of
the lantern is almost too dim to

write by.

Page 4

THE TIBETAN AUSSIONAKY

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

so much here as in other places they

(Continued from page 1) have been, as out here we all try to for Miss Palmer's expenses, supplies, help them out. or travel funds, which may be sent My precious Naomi left for Bible direct to her while she remains in School yesterday A. M. It was a hard the States, if you so desire. Please parting. Now I look unto the Lord designate whether you wish your for His next provision for me. I offering to go to Edgar Nichols, hope to train Joseph for dispensary Gladys Schwake, one of the native work so if we put him on a station workers, Melba Palmer, or the Ti he will be able to handle things. betan Missionary. By the way, please keep before
time

BATANG NEWS (Continued from page 1) I have more sympathy for Jeng-ah

than for the rest of the sinners, but


I know the Lord is able if she will

really get down to business with Him.


Now that communications have improved I cannot refrain from mak

ing plans for returning home, per


haps before another monsoon season.

cannot ask her to asume the expense I am down here to last me the next come to me when Gladys and Naomi involved in forwarding money, so four years up there or until such get to school. Mozong is still at have decided to take this from the time as I come home.
funds contributed for the Tibetan

Since Mrs. Schaal is donating her the minds of our people the fact that is right. and efforts to this work we I am desirous of buying drugs while Joseph Wang will be

May God give me strength to do what

ready to

Kangting.

We are glad Gladys is

much stronger. Wouldn't it be won My James is growing so I had to cate in some way with Mrs. Schaal lengthen his sleeves and pants legs derful if you could go on "to Chengtu at least once a year if you wish to before I left. That means a new and return to Batang with Gladys? receive it, and be sure to notify her winter suit next winter. He had to Wilma Watson. immediately of any change of ad have a slip-on sweater without dress. This is our only means of sleeves which cost $1200. Shoes are What a multitude of problems the keeping the mailing list up-to-date. $4,000 per pair. One boy's hanky, inside group and especially you are The address is Mrs. Arthur H. $400. I was glad I had a few old facing. I hastily name them as Schaal, 6709 Plymouth Ave., Uni white ones with me to give him. health, both hei*e and there; help, versity City 14, Missouri. Want to send him one from here for both here and there; finances, both MISS SCHWAKE AT CHENGTU his Christmas. They are a bit here and there; travel, both here chea,per. The flowered or gingham and there; and spirituality, faith. (Gonlimied front page 1) Divine help, both here aird^there, in helping us all the way down, cloth Is very popular at present. which is the first and greatest need (Note:The present rate of ex always going before to prepare us a place and save money for us. I will change is about $40 Chinese to $1 of all. We certainly need to pray these problems away.C. W. Nichols. start with our departure from Kang- U. S.)

Remember, the Tibetan Missionary a suit case to lock her things up in. is paid for only from free-will offer Her one dress cost about $5,000 in ings, so in place of a subscription Kangting.

Missionary. Therefore, larger offer forward more to Naomi as she needs could not stand much more.Edgar ings will be needed for this purpose. another dress and will have to buy Nichols.

When I get more money I have to getting away for medical care.

She

I am so glad you are getting so

price we are asking you to communi

carriers.

I am simply walking on air today. My blood test has come through Finally through the courtesy of sugar-free, so when I was running an educated Chinese we got bus the one plus a year ago it was caused

ting. They were asking $17,000 for one whagon and $9,000 for baggage

November 22.

FINANCIAL REPORT
July 1 - December 31, 1944
TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Receipts; $183.85; balance July 1, $20.11.

tickets for $8,780 for the two of us. by overwork. That means I can stay Payments: Printing, $100.25; Postage, Misc., $1.95. Total, $141.37. Had we known what a dangerous on and see my children through $39.17; Balance on hand: $62.59. ride we would have I wonder now if school and also wait your furlough FOR TIBET
I had-dared-iferw
Receipts: $4069.78; balance if you come out :soon so-~we-can $140-1.39. Tbfar, $5471.17.
Balance on hand: $2871.17.
MELBA PALMER

Total, $203.96.

July

1,

There were some Tibetan mer

chants on the bus who were coming


bus out of Yaan and let us pay gov
ernment bus fare. The grand thing

always furlough together. Man may plan but God does the

Payments: Gladys Schwake, $2600.00.

all the way in here. They chartered a disposing, so wait on Him with cour
age. He is so dependable. to wish you all a blessed and Happy New Year in I wish it were my privilege wee something for you all I want about that was that our baggage went Christmas free. We were allowed 30 pounds' Him. How per person. Naomi's things were to send a

Receipts: $836.39; returned loan on T.M., $100.00; balance July 1, $250.82. Total, Payments: Living expenses, $165.62; Dentist and medicine, $4.25; Postage and stationery
$ 1187.21.

misc., $17.16; Tithes and offerings, $192.92; Cable expenses, $20.00; Supplies for Tibet,
$385.47. Total, $1002.44.

expenses, $30.88; Travel, $186.14; Gifts and

heavy so I had taken only my zipper bag, a wool blanket, and my small
pillow, whicli I put in her bundle. We each carried a bag with our small
stuff.

as our soldiers are permitted to do. There is much I could wi'ite of present tense situations here but will defer till we meet. It will be inter

mer balance, $146.50. Total, $328.20.

Received for return to Tibet: $181.70; for Received for Edgar Nichols, $1495.39. Received for Miss Schwake, $90.00.

Balance on hand: $184.77.

You should see our army men buy

esting enough then though stale. I do not want my letter to arrive look

Received for both, $14.00. Received for books, $18.00.

ing up small stuff for their families. ing like They are a lonesome bunch but not Schwake.

lace

hanky. Gladys warded to her. All book money is now being


applied to an interest bearing fund for the Sec. 562, P. L. & R.
benefit of Edgar Nichols' children.

Nichols.

pirited to the account of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar


Money for Miss Schwake was for

Note:Money for Edgar Nichols was de-

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY


6709 Plymouth Avenue University City 14, Missouri

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY


June 1, 1945

FROM CHENGTU (Dated January 11, 1945)


I am so sorry I have no typewriter here. This Is likely to be a mess,

CHRISTMAS SERVICES
We had quite a nice Christmas,

as I am writing on my knee and with gloves on. Doing this sitting over a hopan charcoal fire. It is so damp here that when it gets cold

everything considered. Joseph had charge of the program and the deco; rating of the service room. We sang
the usual Christmas songs which we have in the Tibetan and the children

sang several in Chinese which Joseph


taught tiem. Pastor Lee, Mr. and Mr. Shao each spoke briefly Joseph brought us a sermon on real meaning ol Christmas. Jen and the He

one suffers, as it penetrates to the very marrow. I have chillblains on


feet and hands. The ones on my

hands are about to break down. I am swallowing calcium lactate daily.

always stresses the salvation theme

They say it is due, not only to cold air, but a lack of calcium in one's
blood. I know our vegetables up
there lack a lot of elements because

and he gets good attention from his listeners. This part of the service
was concluded with prayer, after
which was the distribution of gifts.

they have such impoverished soil and no way of improving it much. Then, too, that diet was playing havoc with
me because I was measuring all my

We then placed the chairs and benches about the sides of the wall and enjoyed a fellowship circle of prayer and praise.
Joseph Wang

food, etc.

Edgar is pleased beyond

Several

good

testimonies

were

words that I am not a diabetic. He feels God has given special answer to our prayers. May He be praised. and hear Joseph and I know it would When the missionaries had said that I love that song, "When Morning do Lois' heart good if she could little Da-we had gone to heaven, he Gilds the Sky," because in it the

given of God's gracious dealing dur ing the last year. I was pleasantly JOSEPH WANG I wish you folks were here to see surprised with Ho Shang's testimony.

lines "May Jesus Christ be Praised,"


are so often repeated.

There are yet many prayer battles

before us, one of which I am waging right now. There are these deci
sions to be made regarding my going back up or permitting the American Consul to send me home. Up there we are not likely to get in the Army's way so why need they worry about us? We are now being classified in three clashes, A, B, C. The first are those whose furloughs are due or are sick, etc. B, those who belong to
small missions and are in dangerous

enjoy him for a while. I venture to believed it and therefore he wanted say that he is the best qualified and to become a Christian so that he best trained native worker that has might meet him there. So he asked ever preached the gospel in these to be baptized when Lois Gail was parts. He takes well with the chil before the trip to Kantlng. After dren and gets better attention than wards he had prayed that God would any one else who has ever spoken give them another son and God had to them. He is also good at Leaching answered his prayer and he was very
them good songs. But the best part is his spiritual position of the scrip-' tures, which is backed up by a truly spiritual life. He was much dis couraged after two weeks here and
I warned him tnat he would be.
happy.

The

meeting closed at ten for

some of us planned to get up at three and go to the Christmas morn

ing prayer service at the church. Mr. Shao, Ho Shang, Joseph and I went

territory, etc. C, two men of each situation now. For instance, there went upon the old porch where we large mission- may stay to handle were 125 in Sunday School the Sun used to meet in the winter, it col finances, property, etc,, if worse day after Christmas and attendance lapsed with us and dropped us all
comes to worse.

and he feels some better about the

There are some encouraging aspects from Ja Po Ding. There must have been too many of us, for when we

left, thought. I might go back quite I the


all right, since Hsikang is really not

I am in class B. at church services is also increasing. together with The recent A. C. Secretary, who just Joseph has finished a census of ground below.
church members. With Mr. Han

the organ
Most of

to

the

us were

slightly shaken up or received a few

he visited some forty families repre scratches, but 0 La She received a much involved. Now it depends on senting about 70 baptized persons. badly sprained ankle. Pastor Lee's what this Army outfit do who have Outside of Ja Po Ding, and three or second girl perched like a sparrow moved into office. They sometimes possibly four other families, every on the railing till some one went up have more drastic methods. In any home had its idol shelf. He said and rescued her. We resumed the case, God will guide. the husbands blamed the wives and service In the church building, where I wrote mother there might be a the wives blamed the husbands, but bright charcoal fires were glowing possibility of this; but I had no heart there was no excuse for it where the in the hopans. Christmas day was for home with Edgar sitting up there husband was a Christian and cer the traditional church services and with that bad heart. If it takes my tainly not where both were confessed the feeding of the beggars. Mr. Jen life I mean to get back; or if I can Christians. In several of the homes, entertained the Shaos, Janjs, Joseph get a doctor in whom I am greatly peopl^ came in to buy wine while he and me for Christmas dinner. interested to go up for me, then I'd Edgar Nichols.
was there. This confirms what we feel more free to let loose. Other

had already feared and goes to show

wise I'm taking the long chances just ahead for Edgar's and his wee

the magnitude of the problem. Edgar Nichols.

family's sake. He is so precious to the work. I promised Mabel and the Joseph is at Kunming, children I'd give him good care and married.Mabel Nichols. (Continued on page 4)

Please

tell

young

people

that

Alaska needs many more missions


getting and missionaries.Mr. and Mrs. Carl
Zehrung.

Page 2

THE TIBETAN mSSIONART

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY Issued Quarterly


Editor-^^iss (Melba Palmer, 1137 Hllyanl St., Eugene, Oregon. Associate Edl-tprMrs. Arthur H. Sch^l, 6709 Plymouth Ave., Uni

FROM EDGAR NICHOLS


The one thing of recent occurrence
which I can wax enthusiastic about

THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK


"All authority hath been

is the homecoming of Joseph. He was

given unto me :iiif heaven and on


earth. Go ye therefore, and make

formerly

so

intimately

associated

with the Bares thsit it seems alm(^t

versity city 14, Mifiilsouri. like having one of them back. MissionariesMr. Edgar Nichols and In the three years he has been Miss Gladys F. Schwake, R.N. Ba- attending Bible School he has ma tang, Sikang, We^ lOhina; also tured greatly in body, mind and Miss (Melba Palmer, preparing to spirit.. He makes a fine platform
return. appearance, is a fluent speaker in Former fl^sionaries^Dr. and Mrs. both Chinese and Tibetan and is so Norton H. Bare, Ingleside, Ne^ earnest that he cannot fail to im braska. Mrs. Edgar Nichols, 4902 press his hearers. And all his work

di^iples of all the nations, i)aptizing them into the name of the
P^er and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit; teaching them to ob


serve all things whatsoever I com mand you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the
world.Matt. 28:18-20.

Pratt St., Omaha 4, Nebraska. is backed up by a deeply spiritual Forwarding Secretary^Mrs. Arthur life. Joseph has completed a regu H. Schaal. lar four-year theological course in
a little over three years. Only the

"Go ye," Christ tolld us, "and teach men all things That I have commanded you to. And I will be with you to comfort
and bless

If these, my commandments, you


do."

to encompass the same purpose and peak we met la -blizzard. There wac; ideals as those of Ashley Johnson no house to flee to, but we did find when he founded Johnson Bible Col a deserted Nomad's camp where a lege. Dr. Chia, who founded this fireplace was left and some prairie school, was formerly a professor of fuel. The men got a fire going and Theology in Nanking Theological set uip my tent, tlhe only protection Seminary, but became disgusted with we had. "Nine of us crept into it and its modernistic teachings. We are the rest piled all they had on top so glad that Naomi is going to have their bodies, which looked like the privilege of attending this school. mounds of snow the next morning. There is living in Chungking a Our poor horses turned their backs Chinese Christian who not only is to the sborm but called all night in wealthy but is a devout Bible stu resentment of the s-harp, cold wind. dent. Like Paul, he thought he Then another time it rained so would like to preach the gospel "not frightfully we asked God to clear

for us through prayer. One night for Christians in China seems to me when we were crossing our highest

his receiving the B. Th. degree. even stilled the storms a few times This Spiritual Training Seminary

HELP THROUGH PRAYER fact that he had not previously com My journey down was fraught with pleted his high school work prevented danger which Ood overruled. Yes, He

All

those

wHu) obey

Him with

greatest concern

More fully His blessings enjoy. For He is companion and helper


to all

Accepting His gracious employ.

MISS SCHWAKE WRITES (Written January 24, 1945)


Did I tell you the Red Cross gave me a fine assignment of sidpha drugs? It will cost plenty to take it in, but then I'll have it for the

rest of my time in there, praise God. Did I tell you I was able to buy
four sheets and two No. 4 cotton

the traveling hours so we might not. where Christ was named."


get wet. He did!

God laid
that

it upon his heart to pray for the


When he learned

there was a Tibetan studying for the to cross a very high mountain on a ministry in Dr. Chia's school, he sent lacking in vitamin B, so want you very narrow road with an improperly for Joseph to come to see him. to mail me vitamin B complex tab functioning motor truck. When I Being favorably impressed, he had lets, too. tell you our tires were flat, a leaking Joseph in his home several times to Naomi is very homesick at the radiator had to be constantly filled, the fan belt gave trouble and we discuss things Tibetan, and espe Bible School but enjoying herself
pulled into YaChow with smell of

Coming out of Kangting we had

Tibetans.

blankets, so if you fly out we will have some bedding left to use. Have gotten some fruit jars. Now if some of you will please begin mailing me some jar rubbers in your letters or so. Oh, yes, doctors have found me

cially the problems connected with very much.

If things remain uncer

rubber and I think stripped gears the evangelism of Tibet. He decided tain and I go back in March, she may my whole being was in prayer, I can that he could best preach through go along up and come down later the use of his money. This is the man after the war, I would surely hat tell you. We, Naomi and I, gave the witness who gave one million dollars to have my precious girl get into (Chinesre) for the training of workers enemy hands, let me tell you. to them of God's care over us. I
felt like Paul must have on that

to take the "Good News" to Tibetans

shipwrecked vessel. I reminded the Lord of it in my prayer for our safety.Gladys Schwake.

and Mongolians.Edgar Nichols.

The Consul says the Embassy gave


no objection when he wrote them

TRANSPORTATION FOR MR. NICHOLS


A letter has been received from

a while back. They are, however, changing men so frequently one MISS PAUMER'S PLANS hardly knows where he is these days. The term ends here June 14th Prayer changes things. Say you not
and I expect to go right home to do so?

Major Paul Britt, somewhere in Western China, a former friend and neighbor of the Nichols family at Lincoln, Nebraska, offering to be of any possible assistance in evacuating

Thank all our people for their won before starting out for the summer derful response to my plea for rest.

as much of my packing as possible

It is helping.Gladys F. Schwake. for the two High School Camps and the School of Missions, besides spend ing as much time as possible prepar I am praying for two things in Edgar Nichols from Batang. He can ing to return to Tibet, hoping it will your behalf, that you will receive probably help in securing airplane not be long before I can start back. sufficient funds for your needs and passage for him over the Huriip, and If I am unable to start by faU, I that you may have one or more vol to Edgar through him. want to spend another term here unteers to accompany you to the C. W. Nichols. in school.-Melha Palmer. Border.'C. W. Nichols.

camps. I expect to be at Lakej^ames

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Page 8

LETTER FROM NAOMI HO


(Translated by a Mr. B&rgstrom,

I9EWLAND FAMn.Y HOME

A JRECENT INQUIRER

Joseph has been preaching for a Saturday night, May 12th, I had the happy privilege of welcoming the week on the first chapter of John's oof the Scandinavian Alliance.) Tlfo^ Sister PalAier, in the love of our Newland family upon their arrival Gospel. Evening before last, a soldier in the States from their internment came to see Tsong Drema just after Lord Jesus: While in Batang I should have in the Philippines. Their first Sun service had started. Tsong Drema 'written to you. One reason for not day was spent in the fellowship of wouldn't go out and he was waiting writing was that I was too lazy; the College Avenue Church of Christ at the gate, so I went out and invited .another, that I had a bit of work here in Berkeley, along with the him in. Joseph spoke with great
to do. Do pardon this big lazybones. Taylors, Isabel Dittembre, the Reeses power on John 1:29. "Behold the 'Thanks be to the Lord, whatever and myself, all fellow-worker& on the Lamb of God which taketh away the Jinay be wrong in my own heart. He West China-Tibet border. It was a sins of the world." Then he spoke in Chinese, and as this soldier was ^111 likewise let me know. I do not rare privilege for all of lis. Tuesday morning tlhey left for Los practically the only one. who did no' "Wish to point them out'myself, but Tibetan, he talked Ood will Himself point them out. Angeles, where they will spend some understand time with the Figueroa Church at directly to him. This man was vtelbly This is a good lesson. 155 W. 57th St. Their health is affected and stayed after service to Now 1 will make mention of mat ters in connection with the small greatly improved since their release talk with Joseph. He said he believed
church at Batang. Though we are i'rom imprisonment,- but they are still in Jesus and wanted to be saved. This man was on his way to the .such a small church, it is truly the needing lots of rest. Pray for them. Lama's to buy some butter to bum Melba Palmer. .^race of Grod, and every time I think

of

it, the works of God are too


You three families who

marvelous.

"were working at the Salt Wells, ^establishing a church, were driven whole situation. The urgent need Jhere to Batang, and assisted these of help on the field, the conviction "weak and souall disciples; God has that there should be a family to tep by step led until today many in- go with you, and the need of money. How my heartall our hearts competent ones who had no desire to
nter Seminary from Batang. four liave entered (the Seminary. Regard less of IJhe length of time, God has qipheld all His work.
Now the Lord still wants you at

in a lamp by the bedside of his seriously 111 baby, but he returned We are deeply concerned over the with something far more precious.

the front to exert yourself on behalf <of us at the rear. Pour years ago I truly couldn't believe that you
would become such a Pe Chiao Shih

The next day Joseph stuck some tracts in his pocket and went to visit them. He found the parents gone, the baby lying on the bed, covered with flies, its mouth open, and its rejoiced at the word from Newlands. eyes rolled back until only the whites Would it not be wonderful if, after were visible. He thought it was dead, a rest, they could go out again! I but when he took it up and shook just long to go, but I know it Is not it, it roused up. In a few minutes my privilege now. the mother returned and they We are standing with you in brought the baby over here. When prayer for the outfit, travel money, L saw It, I was just sick. I thought and especially for a family to go if Jesus were here He would ju&t lay His hand oiT the babyV head and with you.Mrs. N. H. Bare.

as you are today; nor did I think that you would come again, and that you would dedicate the years of your youth to the Lord, fit for His service; and that you would use the wisdom and knowledge the Lord has given jrou for the Liord's work. It is indeed very good! Had God not prepared you to 'be there, then It would be

immediately It would be well; but


what can we do? The child was Mama's letter made me long even suffering from worms and running more to be able to go with you back off of the bowels. It acted just like
to the field. Wouldn't It be wonder

Lhatsa's baby did before it died.

ful if we could?

I'm praying that asked Joseph what to do. He thought /ou can go soon and that there will if we could control the diarrhea, it
be someone to go with you. Marguerite Bare.

very difficult for us, the 'brothers


and sisters in Batang. Therefore I

might live. I divided an intestinal antiseptic into four parts and told the mother to give it one every three
hours.

I had hoped at one time that I child's life might be spared, but he Miss ' Schwake and Pastor Nichols and the small group at Batang, until might leave home before another must have had greater faith than I after three or four years those who rainy season, but it doesn't look pos did, I must confess that I was? really sible now. The Lord willing, I do surprised when this morning the are weak are no longer in danger of

liope God will preserve you

and MR. NICHOLS PLANS FURLOUGH

Joseph and I both prayed that the

falling. Even a garden, though it ^rows, must be watered. * Though in the course of a year, not many have been led to the Lord, Pastor Nichols, takes much time to

plan to start home next September. child was not only alive but much

The high altitude Is beginning to tell better. on me and I do not sleep near as From outward appearances, this well as formerly. I hope that you couple is sug unpromising as could with others may be able to come out be imagined, but it is one of the glories of Christianity that It can pray. Miss Schwake carries on medi by that time.Edgar Nichols. riaise from the depths to the greatest cal work;. Mrs. Nichols invited the heights.^EJdgar Niohols. officials' wives to come and hear the RETURN TO TIBET ^gospel. Thank the Lord, many of MAY BE SOON the sick have an opportunity to hear

POSTAL CHANGEI also heard the gospel. On Sundays Chinese Language School that those A recent change in postal regula missionaries who have been in China the whole Nichols family, Mr. Shao, Miss Schwake, and I go to the vil will be allowed to return soon; so tions makes it possible to send pack
"V^ether they believe or not is the fall to replace Edgar Nichols.
work of the Holy Spirit.
If my at the sender's risk.

the gospel.

A lama, ready to die,

There

are

rumors

here

in

the

lages and preach; how hap^^^^ we are. I have hopes of" starting b^ick' tfliis ages up to four pounds to "Batang
Send to either
travel fund and living link eiupport

Gladys Schwake or Edgar Nichols,

Writing of this I am again con- are secured soon, the possibility will at Batang, Sikang, West China. Melba Palmer. be increased.^Melba Palmer. (Continued on page 4)

Page 4

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

FROM CHENGTU (Continued from page 1)


now here I am in such a
ment.

predica

draw nigh unto the Lord, like Peter strained to think of the future of on the mountain, saying to the Lord,,
didn't wish to go down^ being in the mountain church. Therefore we must have now, must eventually go down fronk good doctors. Everyone has con- the mountain. dence in Miss Schwake as a doctor, Our School is dismissed during th& and many come from afar seeking winter holidays, and we are supposed her help. Thus we have an oppor to go out and do practical work dur tunity bo preach the goepel. ing the time, two In a group, or five
in a group. I went with three others,

LETTER FROM NAOMI HO (Continued from page 3)

While here I have much time to

Batang.

The Lord may want us to that

he

go to other places where there is no Therefore I My dentist decided I should not

have my teeth all out but refills and extractions, three in number. Of the latter, I had two operative cases am just now pulling myself together from yesterday's business. They had

to chisel one of them out and in It is three months since I arrived doing so fractured the ovular car here. What money I have used has tilage ajolned to the hone. They been forwarded by Miss Schwake. As were in hopes nature would care for to my clothes, it is your cotton and the fracture. She did not. Aftr cloth supply. Coming here this time a month they lanced back the gum my board expenses amount to $3,00. and removed the piece. Here I am per month. Because of the war, the today nursing a sore face and think prices continue to rise each month. ing wishfully of mother and her Sometimes the rise is too high, but kindly ministrations when I had that I can say nothing because the help awful cross cut removed from the comes from a Ghineee gentleman. base of my nose. Tell her I needed In all he helps six workers. Before no Ice cap. My hands are cold enough it was decided that each month we to stop any hemorrhage. Ha! should receive $2,500. Now it is Honestly, my mouth has caused me necessary to have ?3,000. due to more surgical operations. I'm thank the rise in prices: whether there will ful they are operations confined to be future rise in costs cannot be de my mouth. cided. So I don't know what to say For two days now, besides my to you about the high prices! If the sore face, I've been having to nurse sum is too high, and not easy to a cold which seems to be in my secure, then don't arrange board bronchial tubes. The fact of the expenses; but do your bit regarding matter is, I've never really gotten clothing and each months miscel over the one I got at Yaan when I laneous expenses. For I think, don't
first landed in this cold basin on

to do preaching in the grass huts. In the future you can write me in English. There are those who can read. May the Spirit of God con tinually be your help. A sister in the Lord,
NAOMI.

My girls are

planning on goine

back to Tibet and are arranging their


school subjects to that effect. In. fact they never thought anything else but going back as soon as their schooling is finished. And besides Dorothy has interested one of her pen-pals in doing mission work..
Their hearts seem to be there.
Melba Nichols.

MISS SCHWAKE'S HEALTH I am otherwise in good healtli they say, than that I've been over
worked. I know now what I must

cold.

do when I go back. I hope to have these plains. It is a semi-tropical when Miss Schwake and I lived to enough left to keep as much help climate and when it gets cold here gether for four years, when we ran around me as I need to protect my is, as I said before, steamy, damp out of money, asking God we were health. I've sacrificed help at the
never disappointed. And not only in the matter expense of my own health to finance of our precious future workers througk

fear;

but have greater faith.

For

I am really resting. In that I sleep better and am not obligated to ^duty. I've gained to 125 pounds over my 115 when I left Batang, so you see it is worth a lot to get down here, Dear me, what a relief to be rid of that toothache. The only thing which troubles me is the ex pense of everything. Well, God has

money, but when some were sick and nigh unto death, God Himself saved them, as in the case of Pastor Nichols and Miss Schwake. Thanks
be unto the Lord. Thus we have

school.

We lost our Gwa Lau, but

our precious Joseph Wang is worth, his weight in gold. It takes at

least $100 U. S. a month now to support an evangelist. See what also had some experience. In these ^'ou can do for our prize student. matters I only desire to pray much I am attending a few lectures on

to the Lord. It is the Lord Who can skin diseases: also have a promise been so good in meetiug all our needs, bring it to pass; if it Is not possible, of being called for abnormal ma hasn't He?G-ladys F. Schwake. God Himself knows about it. There ternity cases; so I expect to pic

must be some good purpose of God

up

some

up-to-date

methods

after

Due to lack of space, it has been about it and we ought to submit to six years in the backwoods. necessary to omit the Junior page Him. Gladys F. Schwake. Kindly give my greetings to Mrs. in this issue. Ogden, Mrs. Shelton, Mrs. Bare. Now FINANCIAL REPORT I truly know to thank God for them January 1 December 31, 1944 ' THANKS and their love. In early times, be GLADYS SCHWAKE Payments: Food 52,150.60, Fuel $105.84. We are very gi-ateful to Brother cause there were those who moved Wages $1,062.79, Miscellaneous (Purchases, Medical Travel, etc.) $2,084.33, Students Oscar Patmont of the College Avenue with tears, therefore there is today $1,293.77, Tithes $154.24, Postage $86.00. Church of Christ in Berkeley, Cali the joy born of hope. May we also Total $6,937.57.

fornia, who, through prayer and per


sonal effort, located, bought

July 1 - December 31, 1944

in the future be such as now.

Please

WILMA WATSON

and greet

the

whole

family

of

Mrs.

Received for Gladys Schwake, $1,103.43, Tithes and offerings paid for Miss Schwake^
$118.35.

Net total received for Miss Schwake. Portable Typewriter for use on the the Mother of Miss Schwake, for $985.13. Received for Nichols, $109.95. mission field. It will certainly be a Batang is greatly in need of the Received for Joseph Wang, $400.00. (Note: Funds sent to Mrs. Watson are turned" real help to the work. Lord's workers. Also tell her all
Melba Palmer.

made us a gift of a fine Underwood Nichols.

Also do

much to comfort

about conditions here.

over to Miss Palmer for forwarding, so are In

cluded in her report also.)

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY


6709 Plymouth Avenue University City 14, Missouri

Sec. 562, P. L. & R.

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY


September, 1945

MY CALL The world has just finished pass ing through a number of years of war. During tnese years much of the
work of our Lord Jesus Christ has been retarded or closed. We have

busied

ourselves

with

the

task

of

winning the war and have talked much of the post-war period.

Yes, we have talked much and made few plans for the post-war
period for the Church of Jesus

Chriat. Wo are now in that post-war period and there are many things which we, the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, must do. Great oppor tunities are open to us as never be fore, and It is possible if we fall to make the most of these opportunities now we may never have another chance. One of these opportunities that is now open to us was published on the front page of the Christian Standard July 7, 1945. It is an urge from the leaders of Batang for the Christian

Dale Ellis and Karen I dene

ELLIS R. BACK I was born in Venice, California, Churches and Churches of Christ in on July 1, 1916, the fourth of five children of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Back. North America to help them. No, they are not asking primarily Through my childhood I attended for the Gospel but rather for the by the Ocean Park Christian Church products of the Gospel. Now let us and was buried with Christ in bap face the issue squarely. Either we tism at the Easter Sunrise Service in will send missionaries with the Gos 1928.
After my graduation in 1935 from pel. who will first and always give the Gospel and then after giving Venice High School, a part of the those people the Gospel they will Los Angeles City School system, I give them its 'by-products, or else we attended, in 1937, the Los Angeles will let those that are not Interested County Christian Endeavor Summer in the Gospel take the by-products Conference at Tahquitz Pines in the without the Gospel to the Tibetans. San Jacinto Mountains. While at this Church of Jesus Christ, a great conference I dedicated my life to the door is open. Are you going to let Christian ministry, preferably the it close before you give an answer? mission field, but with the conviction Now is the time for action. The de that Christ would lead me to the field where He wanted me to labor, I left cision is yours.

Church near Fowler and since Feb

ruary, 1945, we have been with the

Jamestown, Indiana, congregation.


We have two children, Dale Ellis, born April 4, 1943, and Karen Udene, born April 11, 1945.Ellis R. Back.

A NEW RECRUITI! Ellis R. Back, one of our fine young ministers, has for some time been considering Tibet as his field of service to God. After much prayer and study he has volunteered to go with me as a missionary to Tibet as soon as the way is opened for my
return.

Those who know him feel that he

has the qualifications necessary for

a good missionary. He is consecrated and earnest and puts his trust in God for guidance and provision. You
will find in this Issue of the Tibetan

As for me and my house, we will take hold of this opportunity and carry the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Tibetans, for we have heard their call, saying, "Come over and help us." If this is God's will He will see that our needs are supplied. We ask you to pray for us, to pray that others might go to Tibet with us, and to pray that the doors of Tibetan towns might constantly be opened to His Word until that coun try has fully accepted His way of life. Just how long before the way will open for us to go to Tibet we do not know. But we must be ready to go when the way is opened. We have yet to get our supplies and
them.

it in His hands.

In September of 1937 I started to prepare myself for the ministry, but in a college where I found the teach ings to be contrary to my previous beliefs, so decided that If that was Christianity I would give up the ministry. I then heard of Johnson

Missionary his own accounts of his background, his statement of faith, and his call to Tibet. We will keep
on file the recommendations he has received from the churches he has

served and if anyone would like to receive copies we will be glad to send

Katherine A. Jones, of Cambria, Vir ing link support, travel funds, and ginia, a member of the Centennial supplies for several years on the field Church of Christ of McCoy, Virginia. must be gathered quickly. Help of After my graduation we went to pack any kind will be greatly appreciated. Central City, Pennsylvania, and
Contact either Ellis R. Back, ministered to the Church of Christ in that city. In September of 1943 Jamestown, Indiana, or Mrs. Arthur

Bible College and after investigation them. entered it in September of 1938 as Now that the war is over, we hope a freshman. After spending four it will not be long before we can glorious years there I graduated in start for the field, and we must be June, 1942. ready as soon as there is an opening, On May 28, 1941, I married Miss for the need out there is great. Liv

We are now open for speaking en gagements to congregations, schools, and other groups. Can show slides or bring a message concerning the field and its great challenge to the Church
of Jesus Christ.Ellis R. Back.

we came to Indiana to do graduate H. Schaal, 6709 Plymouth Ave., work in the Butler University School University City 14, Missouri, or Miss of Religion. At first we ministered Melba Palmer, 1411 Walnut St., (Continued on Page 3) to the Bethany Chapel Christian

Page

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY.


Issued Quarterly
EditorMiss
Associate

I BELIEVE
I ibelieve and therefore affirm the

Melba

palmer,

1411

following things:

THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK


"Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to God is for them, diat they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not ac cording to knowledge. For being ignorant of God's righteousness,

Walnut St., Eugene, Oregon.


EditorMrs. Arthur

That the Bible is the inspired


Word of God. II Peter 1:20,21; II

H. Tim. 3:16,17,

Schaal, 6709 Plymouth Ave., Uni

That Jesus was born of the Virgin,

conceived by the Holy Spirit. Lk. versity City 14, Missouri. 1:26-38; Lk. 2:4-7. Missionaries^Mr. Edgar Nichols and That the Scriptures of the New Miss Gladys F. Schwake, R.N., Batang,
return.

Testament are the sole and sufficient

Sikang, West

China;

also rule of faith and practice alike for

and seeking to establish their own,


they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God."
Romans 10:1-3.'

Miss Melba Palmer, preparing to the Christian individual and a Chris

tian congregation. II Tim. 3:16,17;


II Thess. 3:14.

Former MissionariesDr. and Mrs.

Norton H, Bare, Box 451, Abilene, Texas.

That the doctr^e that Jesus is the

Christ, the Son of the Living God, is Mrs. Edgar Nichols, 4902 the central and all-embracing, truth

My heart's desire is for them Who do not know Thy love;

Their zeal is great, but they don't


know The God who reigns above.

of the Christian systent, and that an Forwarding Secretary^Mrs. Arthur intelligent and loving acceptance of
H. Schaal. this truth is all the faith that is nec

Pratt St., Omaha 4, Nebraska.

essary for the sinner to have in order Missionary RecruitsMr. and Mrs. to his salvation. Matt. 16:16-18; Ellis R. Back, Jamestown, Indiana. John 20:30,31; Rom. 10:9,10.
That the Church as a whole and

May they be saved, for God loves


them

As much as you and me;


Let's go and tell them Christ has
died

in all its constituent parts is essen IMMEDIATE NEEDS Now that World War No. II is at tially one, being composed of the an end, we feel confident that per regenerate, so that the same things

For them, on Calvary's tree.

mission will soon be granted for Miss that make a man a Christian make Palmer to return to Batang, along him also a member of the church. needs much mission work and med with any new recruits ready to go Eph. 4:4; 2:19; I Tim. 3:15. ical work in the future.
to this field.

However, the government will not


Issue a passport until the applicant
can show that he or she has money

enough or aii. assured income suffi


cient to convince the authorities that

Kangting is an expensive place to live. We hope, therefore, to leave in a short time. It is so difficult to get horses, I have ^ been running almost every day to find a way for will need 11,000.00 a year to fulfill Christ with the mouth before men. Miss Schwake and myself to get away this requirement. More will be nec Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9,10; I Tim. from here. essary for Mr. and Mrs. Back and 6:12. (4) Baptism into the name of We pray daily for you in America their children. Although it would be the Father and of the Son and of the and for our work out here. May God difficult for one . church to . assume Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:18-20; Acts bless you as you work for us. We this obligation, several churches, 2:38,39; Rom. 6:3-5; and that by hope He will give us souls for our missionary societies and individuals these steps is secured the triple bless- hire. each pledging a small amount nig of the remission of sins, the gift
can assure this support. If you are of the Holy Spirit and the life ever able to share in this, let us hear lasting. Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:22.
I will close with best greetings. Sincerely, Christian

That the response for which the the applicanL-will not-hecome a-flnancial burden on the government. This Gospel calls is (1) faith in the Lord means that living link support must Jesus Christ. Acts 16:31; John 20: be pledged before permission will be 30,31; Heb. 11:6. (2) Repentence toward God. Acts 20:21; Lk. 24:47; granted. (3) Confession of Miss Palmer estimates that she II Cor. 7:9-11.

I expect to take my wife and two age of accountability are fallen and youngest boys to Litang. I plan to depraved, yet they are deemed ca leave my two oldest boys with Miss pable of responding to the Gospel Schwake. and are held responsible to do the My family always remembers you same. Rom. 3:10,12; Acts 17:30. and would want to send their greetingB.

That all men who have passed the

That the Lord left a mission for from you soon, in order that there Timothy Shao. will be no unnecessary delay in His followers to fulfill. Matt. 28:1820; Mk. 16:15,16; Acts 1:8.Ellis securing permission to sail. MISS SCHWAKE AT KANGTING Another immediate need is for R. Back.

trained nurses or doct&rs to go as


missionaries. Miss Schwake has been

FROM MR. SHAO

badly overworked ever since her ar


rival at this station. In order to save

April 18, 1945


Dear Miss Palmer:

May 13, 1945 I wish our Melba could be in Chengtu to handle mission business and conduct a rest home where mis

I 'have been in Kangting about two property going to be disposed of and rest. We can understand how diffi months. I came because Dr. Wan, under whose jurisdiction will it be. cultif not impossible^this is when of the Government hospital here, May God give us light, there is no other in all this area called me to give me a bit more Naomi is enjoying her school but who can care for the sick. This med training. He is planning on sending finds there are strings attached to ical work enables her to 'bring the the scholarship fund. The Commit me to Litang to open a new clinic gospel to many who would not other tee that administers the fund expects wise be reached. Pray with us that therie. to place the students that use it, so God will put it into 'the heart of The government is furnishing a let us pray that some church or Sun
some trained Christian nurse or doc

her own li'fe, it is evident that she must protect her health and get more

sionaries could really be built up. The big issue now is: how is Batang

small amount of medicines. I am day School will assume her support tor to help teach the gospel and heal signing up for only one year so I at about $25.00 a month, and make the sick in this part of the world. can easily go back to mission work valid our claim upon our own. when the opportunity affords. Sikang Gladys Schwake. Mrs. Arthur H. Schaal.

THE TIBBTAN MISSIONAKT

Page d

A LESSON FROM GOD

I wrote in my letter to Phyllis that grandmother in and soon the noise Johnny was suffering from ear of weeping had ceased. They then trouble. We lost him about two called a Chinese doctor who pro iveeks ago. I felt it very keenly for nounced his pulse good and gave him I feel that with proper care from the some medicine to help his breathing.

Then he called the mother and the He is a ison of a former evangelist who used to be with the Morses. His name is Joseph Fu. He had been

staying in Kangtin with his grand mother, a Mohammedan. She has taught him cleanliness and orderly rst, he need not have died; yet He was able to swallow the medicine ways as some Chinese know it. They are not our standards but better there were many remarkable cir and even to talk a little.
The mother came over and sat than average here.

cumstances in connection, which


At least two weeks before the

What wonderful

made us feel that God was in it all. down beside me and said that she ways
believed God had answered

God

has!

was

constantly

trouble I told of in my last letter, he prayer. I said, "Yes, but you


came to me first with earache. I

our praying, with a woman in mind, and have along comes a boy. I never realized

been baptised and claim to be a dis

how many steps a child can save a

person. He is so thoughtful, too, for treated it as I had seen Gladys do, ciple of Jesus. Please take those idols down off that shelf." She an an unconverted child. He helps me with glycerine and ichlyol on a dab

of cotton inserted into the ear. After

swered nothing.

over my homesickness for my boy

two treatments, he stopped coming. who had happened in, now got a He was a very bright and sensitive

- ALiamar-a-friend^ofthe family and Naomi.-^^^ladys Schwake.


with some coals and

child, and all the trouble and excite-

iittl' shovel

jnent; was hard on him. He was ap April first Was notable because of I also heard the relatives planning parently all right until the morning the departure of Joseph for Kun to have a Lama burn a sacrifice and of his sister's wedding, when they ming. A party of us went out at say prayers the next day. I felt I called me over there. He was in bed sunrise to see him oft. He has been could be of no more use in that home suffering from fever , and chills and sorely tried, but he has stood his and left about ten o'clock. Ho Shang liis ear was running. I knew then testing like a true saint. came home about eleven o'clock and Iiis condition was serious and prob He says Miss Whang has more of Johnny was still improving. ably would have meant an operation the Spirit than he has, but you know

went outside to burn some incense.

JOSEPH'S BRIDE

if a surgeon was available; but 1

still was hopeful. From then on for their ceremony. ten days I washed out his ear with

boric acid solution and applied the ointment almost, daily. On Monday morning he felt well enough to go to school for the morning assembly following vacation. He was definitely worse Tjiesday, but still up and about. Tuesday eve, about eight ^"clock, I was~called from the serv would come as soon as he could ices being held at Pastor Lee's with to stop it. This "sign" has not re sulted in any conversions, but it leave the work. the news that he was dying. our Christians and taught them the for a surprise visit, and a few days mied with wailing. The mother lesson that they can't "mix" the two later Gay Si Ling (Chinese official) .grabbed me and wailed as she wept invited Joseph to accompany him on faiths.^Edgar Nichols. on my shoulder, "O Ne Nusa, Nga a hurried trip to Kunming. He was
When I arrived, the house was

While at school they both consecrated their lives to God, It will be the life long regret of that mother that she and agreed that they Would not be married unless both felt called to the didn't do what she knew to be right. same work. She told Mrs. Shao the next day that Her father is a nominal Christian, it was like receiving him back from the dead when I prayed for him and but most of her relatives are not that she did not know the relatives even that, and they have been urging were planning the lama ceremony. other matches upon her and making But she did know.ani^was too weak her wretched. Joseph wired her he

He died the next morning at day his humility. break as the Lamas were holding

surely has strengthened the faith of

Late in March his father arrived

liih ha te ya chi de" (It would have been better if I had died). I went

over to the couch where he was lying,


as still as death;
hand under the

LATEST WORD FROM MISS SCHWAKE


(Written From Batang
on July 10, 1945)

starting, secretly, in five days. Joseph's comment on all this was,


"Isn't it wonderful how God ar

and slipped my
There was

cover.

ranges everything!" They are going

still a faint fluttering in his breast. I cried unto God, but I could not find a spark of faith that the child

by the direct road, via Likiang, and

I am home two weeks now this it will be much quicker, cheaper and

thought of the baby which had been a fine bit of medical work here. He mit her to come with him, the mar so marvelously raised, as I have has a scientific streak and with the riage will not take place. Such con^ written you earlier. Then it came to help of medical books here, he has secration in one so young surely
me" how the uncle who now was cry-

past Saturday, and I've been going safer than any other way. Before he left, Joseph promised would live. So I asked Him to give with my tongue hanging out, as Mrs. that if the girl's father will not per me faith enough to pray. Then I Wray would say. Edgar has done

ing-and-calling, "Johnny, Johnny," .vithout a doctor for six months, so Edgar Nichols. lad blasphemed the church. I feature his position. It is a marvel thought too of the idols which the of God's grace the way he has been A NEW RECRUIT mother had placed on the shelf in sustained. (Continued from Page 1) -violation of her promise to Gladys. He is still carrying much of the Eugene, Oregon. Supplies should I asked God to show these hypocrites
and heathen that He was a prayer

3aved the day. The town has been

gives us occasion to praise God.

be

medical work until I can get my dis

answering God and to make His


power and glory known. After a few minutes, I

pensary and house liveable. I prom


ised Dr. Suan that I would rest every

sent direct to the person for whom

they are meant so they can be packed


for the journey.

think in the two weeks I've been definite improvement in the pulse home, I've been down about three and after about ten minutes I left times. I am down todaybecause the bedside, confident that God heard nature called a halt. my prayer. Soon the uncle called to I am praising God for a nice boy me, "See, he is breathing." One could of fifteen. He helped me on the road. see his nostrils dilate as he breathed.

felt a

day at noon at least one hour,

Pray much that the way will open soon and all heeds be supplied. We
are still in need of a doctor or nurse

to relieve Miss Schwake. Please make that a matter of prayer also. Mefba Palmer.

Page 4

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

on. FOR THE LIGHTS OF BATANG Probably the first artificial light used by man, the pine torch, is still much in use here in Batang. Going

This oil burns veir satisfactorily


in our pressure lamps and diluted
2.

on a small scale.

about half with kerosene can be used

Orphanage. Miss Palmer has already an


nounced her desire to start ani

in a common wick lamp. There is no great market for this oil, but we about the city at night, you will meet have been approached on the matter people carrying blazing faggots of of furnishing it to the Normal School "fat pine." In the homes the evening so that the pupils will be able to
meal is probably being prepared by study at night.
the flickering light of one of these

orphanage,

which

must

wait

until she or someone else ar


3.

rives from the States. Trade School.

torches. Sometimes there is a lamp


in the shape of an iron plate sus pended by chains, on which small splinters of the pine are burned; more often the torch is placed on the hearth or held in the hand of the
worker.

As by-products we have made not only tar for the roof, but also such various products as medical oint ments, shoe polish and fiy spray. A representative of the -Central Government here asked us if we

We plan to start a school la which the pupils will spend, one-half day at their booka and the remainder at learning: some trade such as carpentry or bootmaking. 4. Enlargement of the medical
work.

would be' willing to write out and


turn over to him a description of

Small bowls with wicks, often the process. This we gladly did, and called butter lamps, are also used. I suppose that no one thing which

This naturally must await reenforcementa in the way of:


doctors and nurses.

When used in reli^ous ceremonies we have done has i}een as productive


or -walnut oil is burned in them when

or burned upon the idol shelf they of good-will aff tiils. and only as our Lord leads. Ther& contain butter only; 'but butter, lard It is the nature of the Chinese to is no doubt about the need for such
used for lighting purposes. Candles are made locally from tal
low and suet. These are colored red

We intend to go forward slowly

Jealously guard anything in the na a program. It seems to us merely ture of a secret process which holds a question of whether the leadership

a splinter of bamboo upon which the matter secret, still it made a favor His will, to lay this need very heav candle stands. Each costs one-half able impression that I so willingly

secrets are kept in the same family in the gospel, or those who under and are used for ceremonial purposes for generations. Though there would take it for purely humanitarian rea also. The wick is not of cotton, but have been no point in holding the sons. We are asking God, if it be
day's wages, so you may guess they made it public. I have been told that
ily upon the hearts of our supporters.

any possibilities of profit. Often such is to be supplied by those who believe

are not plentifully used. my report on the process has been lamp which was lighted by the courIt has always pained us to see printed in one of the Government burning with a dim and smoky flame. poses and with such poor results. We are servants of Him who said, Today a small but growing band of Tibet is a dark land in more ways "I am the light of the world." We born-again believers meets weekly
than one.

When we arrived In Batang, the

these edible fats used for such pur

a g e o u s

pioneer missionaries wa&

publications.

will never lose sight of this fact.

Dark as are the homes of these peo became exhausted, our own lighting ple ^nd-dark-as are-their^ minds,-the^
As our pre-war supply of kerosene

about the Lord's table.

Evening services are held five days

and used for lighting purposes. and sanctified we missionaries had Pastor Lee has made available a My knowledge along this line was better stay home. The social work building facing on the street, where we may hold evening services, have extremely limited, but through the which this mission undertakes is method of trial and error a measure merely a means to an end, and that a reading room and also classrooms of success was finally attained. The is to gain greater hearing for the for the Bible School. Will you da
apparatus consists of an old steam gospel.

problem became critical. I had been darkness of their hearts is distilling pine to make tar for the appalling. roof. Now I 'b^an to wonder if the These people.can be soaped, salved, mission compound). Since Christmas we have been averaging over one volatile gases which were wasted in appetites satisfied,' and customs so hundred children in Bible school. this process could not be condensed cialized; but unless they are saved

a week, twice in Pastor Lee's home more and three times at Ja Po Ding (the

pressure sterilizer, generator from a,

A few weeks after the arrival of

your part to see that this light is kept burning brightly?Edgar


Nichols.

pressure lamp, tubing from an ol^) pfoseph Wang, we were approached brass bed, and a five-gallon oil tinV ^;.a\local official on the subject of
gases from the heated wood are led knew from

Using the kettle as a retort, the help Jtor tte poor of Batang. We C. W. Nichols Is still collecting Miss Schwake's letters funds for the Edgar Nichols family. by means of the generator and brass that she was in favor of some such His address is 124 S. E. 36th St.
tubing into the oil tin. This tin is
program.

half filled with water and the gases


on top of the water.

Oklahoma City 9, Oklahoma.

In fact, both of us have 'become bubbled through it, the oil collecting aware of the fact that unless this

mission undertakes a

program of

REPORT READY
The complete report of funds re

A continu<>us stream "of"water Is sodal work there is little chance of

directed against the tube and this holding this field for the Church of aids the cooling process. The oil Christ missions. In response to this from several primary distillations is request we have formulated the fol collected and again distilled. On sec lowing four-point program. ond distillation we get a pale yellow 1. Work-aid for the aged and

ceived from July 1, 1943, to January 1, 1945, which we have been unable to publish in the Tibetan Missionary
because of lack of space will be ready within the next week. This list
of contributions will be sent to all

oil of about the same viscosity, but


somewhat more volatile than kero
sene.

infirm.

We plan to establish a wool who request it. If you want a copy^

spinning and weaving industry

write for it to Mrs. Arthur H. Schaal.

THE3 TIBETAN MISSIONARY 6709 Plymouth Avenue

Sec. 562, P. L. & R.

University City 14, Missouri

A Bible-study group photographed at Tobalo in 1939.


third in same row, TOBALO APU: fourth, MOSES. last row, right, Robert Morse.

First row, left. SWAMPI-PA;

J. Russell'Morse, in second row;

This pamphlet is dedicated to the

USU PIONEER EVANGELISTS

NEWS FLASHES FROM

THE TIBETAN-LISULAND CHURCHES OF CHRIST

J. Russell Morse, Director

"The writer of this letter Is your Beloved Lord's servant, Paul." (A native LIsu pastor.)

114 South Denver Ave., Tulsa 3, Oklahoma


November, 1945

To the Co-workers and Friends of the Tibetan-Lisuland Churches

of Christ, "Where China, Tibet and Burma Meet."


COMMENTS AND EXPLANATIONS By LaVeme Morse

As this summary of the news from the missionary frontier of the upper Sahveen valley goes to press it seems evident that my parents, Mr. and Mrs, J. Russell Morse, and my sister, Ruth, may
reach America sometime this winter but it is probable that my

brothers, Eugene and Robert, will remain on the mission field until
next summer. Warren Dittemore, who succeeds my father as Di

rector of the Mission, went by Air Transport from Calcutta to a

point in western China on the first of October. His wife, Mrs. Isabel Maxey Dittemore and their young daughter, Janet Leigh,
sailed from Boston on the seventeenth of October, expecting to

reach Calcutta in about a month. Probably they will occupy the

new Mission property at Ta-Da with Miss Dorothy Sterling, the missionary nurse who reached the Mission a year ago. It is hoped that others, who are now preparing for work in this mission-field,

may go out next summer. Getting to and from the Mission is both
tedious and dangerous. Pray for those who undertake these jour-

news which your co-operation has made possible. My grandmother,


Mrs. Ruth Morse, continues to act as Forwarding Agent for the

Morse family. I am a Junior in Central High School, Tulsa,


Oklahoma.

1945 has seen big changes; war's end, and with it the closing of much of the transportation over the Hump from India to China.
The Search and Rescue Squadron will be disbanded. New leaders will take over the Mission teaching and evangelizing as the Morses

begin their furloughs. Some of the Lisu pioneer Evangeli.sts have passed on, but among the present leaders are many whom they won to Christianity. My father writes of them and so this leaflet
is dedicated to them.

The various men who have helped spread the story of Chris tian redemption and living among the Lisu and other tribesmen living on the Chinese-Tibetan border, are able to read and write the Lisu language and some of them also use the Chinese language. We had the New Testament and a hymnal printed in their language and they learned to use these books with amazing rapidity. "Each one teach one; each one win one," was a motto.

Here is a picture of a baptismal service, with Tobalo Apu officiating. It is typical of the way native leaders were taught tliat they could carry on congregational responsibilities just as the Nevv'
Testament converts did. The Bible laid dov/n the pattern, and the Lisus searched the Scriptures, applying precedents as best

they could to their own situations. They built their own houses of worship, brought gifts of grain to the elders, taught in homes, and laid down rules of conduct. The Lord's Supper was observed with or without the help of the (foreign) missionary. A special
loaf was baked on the hot ashes of their fire holes. It was served

with a drink sometimes made of water flavored with wild persim mon, or sometimes with honey. The "cup" was a large bowl. Sometimes the plate was of fine Chinese lacquer. Always it wa.s a ceremony of reverence and devotion.

teachers. To please them, the Morse sons also took Bible names.

many, thus David, Moses, Paul and Barnabas were among the

Bible names were often asked for at the time of baptism by

They called Eugene, Joshua, Robert was Job, and I was Joseph.
Mo Su-si, Missionary Morse, The Teacher.

That is how our evangelist, Paul, addressed me, the third son of
think he will read my answering letter, also in the Lisu characters,

Paul's script, done with pen and ink, is beautifully exact. I

with great pride. Its message will reach many of my friends.


Signed: LaVerne Morse.
# *

I have trandated Paul's letter for you and at its close you will

see the last line in Lisu.

Ta-Da village
My dear Joseph:

1945, Jan. 23

For Teacher: Third Son

you again because you went to America. However, when we were having a Bible School at Ta-Da village, I saw your letter and your picture, and I was happy beyond words, and lonesome for you,
therefore I am now speaking to you through this letter.

When I went to teach in the Irrawaddy valley, I did not see

Ta-Da. Please pray for the Lord's blessing. I will also not forget
to pray for you.

still alive. Because of the help pf the Lord I have returned to

Greetings: Please pray to God for me. When I went to the Irrawaddy valley to teach, I was so sick I almost died but I am

The Lord be with you. May you again come safely andhappily back to the Lisu country. I also saw a picture of the house in
live, but I can only speak to you by this letter.

which you live. Though I would like to come to you, there is nothing I can do. I would like to see the country in which you
Ta-Da and also about two hundred of the congregation. In the
you write a letter to me.

About fifty students are now attending the Bible School at

Irrawaddy valley I taught about eighty Christians. Please pray

to God that our hearts may not grow cold. I shall be very glad if

sister I also saw the picture of their house. Now my speech is ended. Peace be with you; may the Lord be with you. Amen.
The writer of this letter is your Beloved Lord's servant,
In Lisu:
Paul.

I saw the picture of the mother of our Big Teacher and his

0 "I BO SU NY NU Nl ND M SI d
DO P

dO-LO AO

July 1, 1945
From Mrs. Gertrude Morse:

The mid-summer rains are pouring down. Some of our young fruit trees are bearing and the plums are ripening now. We shall have fruit from several apricot trees, but the apricots are not good. Mr. Morse fixed a frame-work over the west wall and the grape
vines have climbed almost to the roof-thatch. That fruit is nice

and big, beautiful to look at, delicious to taste. As our can-lids and rubbers are rusted and useless we cannot put up any of this fruit but we were able to trade some for potatoes and grain. Last year's crops were very poor and food was scarce but this year's crops seem very good. Conditions are worse in the Mekong valley where many could not plant com because of the late spring drought. The valley west of here has also suffered a famine this year and they have had a i>eculiar scourage of snakes. In one field alone twenty big snakes were found stretched out, all dead for some unknown cause. AU the natives are wondering about it.
We have suffered another great loss. Our local pastor, David,
We nursed him died after an illness of more than two months.

carefully but nothing helped him at all, and we wondered about that, and why it had to be. He had done much for the Lord's work.
Eugene has the lower floors of the Ta-Da house nicely finished up and is working on the upper floor. His native carpenters went

home for their simimer's work. We shall have an upper storage room in this house for such personal things as we might use when
we come back here.

Our missionary work goes on about as usual. We sent two preachers over to the Mekong congregations this week and two others returned from a month's preaching and teaching in that area. The work in the Ahkyang valley is doing very well it seems; no backsliders, and around fifty or more new enquirers and con verts. I want to go on another preaching trip, but I fell some time ago and injured my ankle so seriously that I cannot walk without a support. I cannot tell if this trouble comes from a broken bone or from a strain but it is very painful.
We are greatly worried because we do not hear from Robert

who went away on Search and Rescue work last spring. He talked with Eugene at Ta-Da from a rescue-plane-phone in May, but there has been no message since then. Today five planes flew over our house but there was no sign of Robert from any of them. There are seven wrecks north of here which Eugene must investigate

if Robert doesnH return soon. The natives "salvage" everything they can from wrecked planes so our people shoiild ge there as soon as possible to get "evidence" for the Transport Service. We can only pray for God's mercy for those who fly over these
mountains.

Signed: Gertrude Morse.


*

July 10, 1945


From

J. Russell Morse

Returning from the northern Salween on June 21, I found Gertrude so crippled that she couldn't walk, Ruth Margaret suffer ing with malaria which was followed by chicken pox, and David, the Lisu pastor of the Pugeleh congregation, desperately ill. He died two weeks ago. It has been a time of great trial for all of us, but especially for Gertrude, for she has always been "up and at it" both around the house and taking her turn with the preaching trips. Even yet, we do not know what happened inside Gertrude's foot; fracture, dislocation, or multiple sprains? The main trouble seem^ to be in front of the ankle. I'm really afraid that she must travel in a "wha-gan", or be carried, on the journey over the
mountains.

David had been ailing since New Year's but he relapsed shortly after I went up to Ta-Da and was "practically dead" three or four times. He seems to have had a great spiritual experience shortly before my return. He felt assured of full salvation through Christ and exhorted all others with great power. The substance of his
"exhortations in the Spirit" as they have been told to me was: "It is high time for all Christians to repent with Godly sorrow, and to be much in prayer, for times of greater tribulation are ahead. There will be increasing dissension in divided homes. Quit

quarreling with one another and get down to fighting the Devil.
Parents must not be over-lenient with children through pity
their mistakes must be corrected at once. Do not rob God of his

share of your life or goods. The time of our Lord's return is much nearer than we realize. Our own time of reckoning is at hand."

Such words may appear cold on paper, but spoken with the earnestness and unction of a dying man tliey have stirred many out of their complacency. The manner of David's death was a witness to all, for somehow in the Spirit, he knew that he was

going on and was quite reassured about it. The medicines I gave him rallied his strength and we had several brief conversations and prayers together. Then one night, after all the others had gone to sleep, he just slipped away quietly. A wooden cross marks his grave on the western knoll of Pugeleh ridge. We sh^ miss him as we do our other great spiritual leader, Moses, who was
drowned in the Salween river last November. These men were

the "first fruits of the Gospel among the Lisu" and I miss them sorely. They were pioneers with us in God's work in this valley.
God is raising-up younger men to carry forward the great evangelistic work of our older leaders, Isaiah, Moses' nephew, has been pastor of the Yeh-gu church for the past year and his great family loss seems to have re-established the yoimger man in faith and zeal in eternal things. Recently we sent Isaiah and a new, young preacher on a tour of ministry to all the Mekong con gregations. We wondered if they would be able to complete the mission, for food over there is very scarce and people are less spiritual and more affected by war conditions than here, but they did surprisingly well. They visited all the churches which have been "like sheep without a shepherd" since the death of Swami-pa, our original stand-by preacher and teacher. Really, we should have a missionary family on the Mekong-side. True, there has been a lot of back-sliding there but yet the congregations have held together. I think the poverty and distress of the times account for individuals slipping back into heathenism rather than a deliberate
plan to follow Satan.

War-time taxation and conscription is worse there than here. It may be several years after the blockade of Chinese ports and
trading posts has been lifted before normal trade can be resumed.

In the meantime, the pseudo-Chinese have become more degenerate than ever, exploiting the humble Lisu natives by every tricky device or by violence. These parts of China are so full of rackets

and extortion that we are heartsick. Local Chinese officials grab


family men if they have ans^ing to pay with and say, 'TTou are to go as a soldier." Then they dicker and abuse the conscript imtil they feel sure they have got all the unfortunate has to pay as bribery money to keep from being sent to the war.
Sub-officials plaster on the taxes by every device they can invent, retaining a fat "commission" unknown to their superiors. The war condition has been so desperate for several years that the
more decent forces of the Central Government have been unable to check these abuses. Thus the entire foundation of China's

government has been undermined just as termites devour the sub


structure of a native house.

Perhaps some of our new missionaries may locate at Kang-Pu or at Yea Chi, which are convenient centers, but I favor Dratsilo as the center of the Mekong work for it is on the main road to the Salween valley and not so exposed to the abuses of the Chinese officials. Now that the war is ending we must undertake some big forward steps along the Mekong, and I mean right up
into Tibetan regions.

There are now no other Americans nearer to us than the Allyn B. Cooke's, TWELVE DAYS south along the Salween. Robert es corted Miss Sterling to Si-Da (the Cook's station), so Miss Sterling mi^t help Mrs. Cooke with the birth of her first child. As there is no postal service between our two stations, we have hired natives to carry messages back and forth, but it is a terrible journey over trails not even good enough for pack animals. We have now sent a special carrier-force to help Miss Sterling on the long footjourney back. The temperature at the bottom of the river gorge is intensely hot and we should not ask Miss Sterling to make the trip at this time except that we have some very sick patients here who must have expert nursing to recover.
We hear that Mr. Nichols, of Batang, twenty hazardous days' journey to our north, plans to come down to Likiang next Septem ber, hoping to find an "escape route" to the good old U. S. A. We do not know Miss Schwake's plans but they both deserve a furlough. We honor them for the way they have kept a light burning in Asia when so many other lights were going out. Help them on our
behalf.

There are plenty of discouraging things I could write about our work and present situation, but over against our sense of Human Insufficiency there is the sense of DIVINE GRACE ALLSUFFICIENT which over-rules and continually shepherds all things. This vastly extended work, growing all these years and still grow ing, cannot be accounted for solely by looking at the Morse family. Only the HEAVENLY FATHER'S PROVIDENCE can account for it. Year after year we have compared ourselves to a mother hen, with an altogether too large hatching of chicks to care for. Our own wingsour strength and physical presencecannot stretch so far in all directions. With this repeated "stretching," there has come a gradual breaking up of our family life in the usual sense. In the past four years, our entire family has seldom been at home more than a few weeks at a time, yet we have been

steadfastly united in our one great purpose^to serve our Lord


in this challenging and needy field.
With a heart full of love to you all.

Signed: J. Russell Morse.

August 16, 1945

Just now Eugene's and Daddy's letters from Ta-Da have come

saying the Japanese have surrendered! What wonderful news!!! Oh, Blessed be His Name, the Prmce of Peace, Our Saviour and
Our Lord! Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!

Daddy still says he wants to leave this fall, so I expect you


will be seeing us before too long, I hope by Christmas.
Signed: Gertrude Morse.

The difficulties of communication with this far-Efway Mission

may be realized from Robert Morse's letter of July 13 written from


"Somewhere in S. W. China."

I am alone here and haven't seen any mail from you-folks for

several months. (The Army Post Office returned all letters ad dressed to Robert). I suppose you have been writing all the while but I haven't been where I can get mail since May. About 20

days ago I got the American Consul to send a telegram back to the State Department to find out the situation about Mr. Dittemore's coming out. Just the other day I had a letter from the Consul
which said Warren Dittemore expected to sail on the 25 of June, with Mrs. Dittemore following later. That is all I know of the situation. I had no word as to when he'd be arriving on this

side, or what means of transportation he had. I just don't know how to figure. It may be several months before he arrives here,
hence I won't be able to wait for him, but expect someone will
come out to guide him into the interior.

I haven't seen or heard of the folks since May but it won t

be long before I'll be getting back home again. I expect to start

out in a day or soright now I'm busy getting all my "junk"


together again.

Signed: Robert Morse.

Miss Dorothy Sterling, missionary nurse, who had been "loan ed" to the China Inland Mission, twelve days' journey south along the Salween river, to nurse Mrs. A. B. Cooke thru a critical period,
wrote on June 24, 1945:

Mrs. Cookers baby arrived safely on the eleventh of this month, a girl weighing 5 3/4 pounds, the fost white child bom in a Lisu

village. The Cookes had planned to go out to the hospital in Tali

for "taby Grace*s arrival, but because of the nearness of the Japs
for awhile, it was expected that the hospital would be evacuated. All preparations were made for the evacuation and so the Cookes

were unable to go down, hence my stay here with them. Probably


I shall return next week to our station.

We who have grown up in Christian homes and who have known the Scriptures from infancy, yet sometimes fall from Grace

very easily. Most of these native people, even the Christians, know <and understand comparatively little. When you consider their background of demon worship, you will understand this. It is
difficult for them to understand a God who knows all and who

cannot be deceived or bribed to do their will; a God who will help them and supply their need because he loves them. The

responsibility of helping them keep true to Christ is partly yours through prayer. It would bring tears to your eyes to hear these Lisu Christians praying for you; thanking God for your sending teachers to them; praying for the Lord's blessing for you.
Signed: Dorothy Sterling.

Warren Dittemore wrote from Calcutta on Sept. 19, 1945r I learned from the Commanding Officer of the Search and
Rescue unit that two men had taken a radio in to the Morses and

taught them how to operate transmission of messages. The officer has had word from Mr. Morse that the black Lisu are getting out of hand. They live north of Myithyana and the Ledo valley in the
jungles and the situation worried the Morses. Robert has been investigating plane wrecks and the Morses have also led several more aviators to safety. The major was kind but he could not drop our stuff by parachute as his planes were not equipped for it. He advised me to go in from Likiang."

114 South Denver Avenue,

November 27, 1945


Dear Friends in the Lord:

Sgt. J. A, Keener of Rogers, Arkansas, who was Eugene's friend


at the Air Transport base in Assam, India, recently visited in our home and this week Chaplain W, Richards spent a night here. We
thank God for these visits and the reassurances they brought about our loved ones in China. Chaplain Richards said he and Robert

were in Kunming about the same time this August but that he was
unable to contact Robert, However, he thou^t Robert had gone

to the Consulate to get word about Mr. Dittemore's plans so he might join Mr, Dittemore for the journey over the Mekong-Salween mountain passes. We should all appreciate the work done by the American Consulates in foreign lands. It is flie nerve center of
information and protection abroad.

May the sense of ourHeavenly Father's care and protection be


with you as we go forward into another year.

Faithfully your friend and co-worker,


Signed: Mas. Ruth Morse,

Letters may now be sent by ordinary mail to ihe workers on


this mission field. Postage 5c, Address:

Postoffice, AI-WA, N.W, Yunnan,


West China

via Kunming and Likiang,

Two months is quick delivery time. If the mountain passes are

closed by snow, it may be five months before letters reach the


mission. Please write.

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY


Vol. 2

December, 1045

BATANG CRISIS
We wish to correct the mistaken

HELP NEEDED
I am having to spend a few days in bed again because of overwork.
Contracted a bronchial cold from a

impression, which seems to have got ten abroad, that we are holding Batang for any individual or organ ization. We are holding it for our
Lord Jesus Christ and none other.

patient because of my overtired state.


This has been one awful month.

We did not choose Batang, nor was


it our desire to come here at all. It

Lee's boy (patient with T. B. chest and heart fatigue) was just out of the house and I had just opened the

was our plan and our most earnest wish to preach the G-ospel where
Christ had not been named. Most of

you know the circumstances, which by God's providence, brought us here. We have never ceased praying for
open doors and a plain way into more

purely Tibetan work. However we are satisfied that to keep the light shining here through these difficult years has been God's plan for us. It
has pleased Him to use these weak

dispensary, though not in order, when Shran Tai Tai's youngest baby girl was taken violently ill with pneu monia, diarrhea, etc. Well, you know twenty-hour duty with a dying baby for ten days plus thirty-one to thirtyeight patients every Monday, Wed nesday and Friday, and on Tuesday,

Thursday and Saturday village calls


plenty.

instrumentalities in making His pow er known, through the saving of lives


and the salvation of souls.

MISS MELBA PALMKR

Edgar has been wonderful help for which I praise God. He has gone on with some of the more violently ill
over in town that he had when I came and from time to time when I get

Workers

under

the

Bares

have

MISS PALMER'S LIVING LINK

swamped he takes a couple of mine.


Then all that wasn't enough, the wife of our normal school principal,

been conserved and other workers Living link support has never wor are being recruited and trained. The ried me, for the Lord has always local church has been revived to a taken care of His own, especially large extent. We are not satisfied those who serve Him on the mission with the progress made, hut we are field. However, the government is happy to see some of the fruits of our now asking that we send a guarantee labor.

a new Tai Tai, decided to have her baby during all this other excitement.
I was seven days running there. Gladys Schwake.

of support when we apply for pass - Your Mission here is facing a criti ports. cal time. Important decisions must
be made in the near future. As we

Gladys has five in-patients in her

home. She has thlrty to fifty pa tients in her clinic. We sometimes It was a special joy and privilege wonder why, shorthanded as we are,

set our face towards the physical and to me to have my home church, the such heavy burdens have been placed upon us. But He has promised spiritual barriers which confront us, Fairmount Church of Christ in Eu strength for each trial and burdens we can only pray that these "moun gene, Oregon, volunteer, after receiv no greater than we are able to bear, tains be removed and cast into the ing promise of help from other so we go ahead in the strength of midst of the sea." We ask you -to
join with us in this prayer.Edgar gi'oups,
Nichols.
needed.

to

furnish

the

guarantee that faith. We hope soon to hear about the prospects for Melba and others com

This
that I

Church
receive a

has pledged
hundred

to

see

ing out.
the first

I cannot start home before


of December. Edgar

dollars a

month while on the field.

Those who Nichols.

BACKS REPORT
The Psalmist of old said, "Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for He is good; for His loving kindness endureth for ever." We today can repeat these words with greater emphasis. First, because our Heavenly Father loved us so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son to redeem us from our sins. Secondly, we can repeat these words with greater emphasis today because He has richly blessed us in
His service.

have promised help so far are: Drain, Oregon Church, ten dollars a month;

Stayton, Oregon Church


Eugene, Oregon,

of Christ, FAREWELL
Mis

one hundred fifty dollars a year; and Independent


sion Group Number Two, thirty dol

By the time this reaches you I hope to have most of my packing finished, so if you have things you want me lars a month. to take to the field, please send them With my personal support cared immediately. for in this way any other funds that The Backs also should be getting

their packing finished, and they will have need of many supplies, as weir In the few short weeks we have lege, support for native leaders, and as funds for travel. If you can help been preparing to go to Tibet, con other phases of the work. them in any way please do so, for gregations and individuals have rall they have much to to in preparation I pray that all funds may be used for this trip. ied to the great need of sending the Gospel to the Tibetans. according to the will of Gk)d and to Before another issue of the Tibet
things as an orphanage, Bible Col
We are happy to announce that the His glory.

come in for me can be used for such

Church of -Christ at Oxford, Indiana,

(Gontinued on page 2)

My deepest appreciation an Missionary is prepared we hope to goes to all of you who are hel^fing. be on our way, so this is our oppor(Oontinued on page 4) Melba Palmer.

Page 2

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

THE TBETAN MISSIONARY


Issued Quarterly
Melba EditorMiss Palmer,

PLEASE COOPERATE

Mrs. Schaal, who has so willingly 1411 undertaken the forwarding of funds Walnut St., Eugene, Oregon. to our missionaries, and the manag Associate EditorMrs. Arthur H. ing of the Tibetan Missionary so that

THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK


"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in
whom He is well' pleased."Luke
2:14.

.Schaal, 6709 Plymouth Ave., Uni


versity City 14, Missouri. Missionaries^Mr. Edgar Nichols and Miss Gladys F. Schwake, R. N., Batang, Sikang, West China. Also Miss Melba Palmer, preparing to
return.

Former, Missionaries^Dr. and Mrs. funds to the field. Norton H. Bare, Box 451, Abilene, . Texas. Mrs. Edgar Nichols, 4902 If you appreciate her efforts let her know it, and please cooperate in Pratt St., Omaha 4, Nebraska. Forwarding SecretaryMrs. Arthur every way possible to make the work
H. Schaal.

I might be released to return to the field, has done these jobs faithfully and well' in spite of the fact that the work has increased even beyond my expectations. If it were not for her, the Tibetan Missionary would have to be given up, and I do not know what we would do about getting

Peace among men in whom He is


.pleased;
That is what Christ has be

stowed; Never was peace ever promised to those


Who ''have
abode.

not

in

Him

their

Only through Christ can peace be


come known;

a little lighter for her.

If it gets

We are the heirs to His plan;


Shall we reveal It to others, and so

much heavier, I do not see how she Missionary Recruits^^Mr. and 'Mrs. can possibly, continue. Here are some Ellis R. Back, Jamestown, Indiana.
of the things you can do:
Offer your services to her in any

Put peace within reach of each


man?

A NOTE OF APPRECIATION

way you think of that you might be

blessing to those concerned with the Tibetan .work. We are thankful to the Lord for all the dear friends, the faithful pra^g partners, and for their financial' support of the work. As you read our little paper we
trust it will be a stimulant to real

of assistance in this work. If you To the friends in Christ, we wish Between now and the publication live near enough to go to her home, to express our appreciation to all who there are plenty of things you can of the March 1946 "Tibetan Mission had a part in making this past year a do. ary," we shall revise our mailing

NOTICE!

Always send in promptly any we have not heard during 1945 or change in your address. This is very before the mailing of the March 1946 important since the Tibetan 'Mission copies. If you wish to continue re ary is mailed under a permit and will'

lists, removing all names from whom

ceiving this paper with the news of

not be forwarded.

Write once a year, giving your cor praise and thanksgiving to <3od, as well as for continued prayer in the rect address and if possible sending worthy cause of bringingLight of a contribution ,forthe printing, post age, forwarding, and other expenses the iospel to dark Tibet. Because of your faithfulness in involved in this work. Mrs. Schaal prayer and gifts the work at Batang gives freely of her time and energy In has been blessed and we have new this practically full-time job and can hope and encouragement for the work not be expected to pay the expenses
of tomorrow.^Mabel Nichols.
as well.

this field, and have not sent in a re mittance or a card or letter this year, please do so now. This Is the only way we have of knowing that you are receiving these copies.Mrs. Ar
thur H. Schaal.

NAOMI'S SUPPORT

BACK'S B}POBT

Recently we have received inquir Remember, since we do not charge ies regarding support for Naomi Ho a subscription price for this paper, while she is studying In the Bible our only way of avoiding a lot of CoU'ege. Here are the facts as we

(Continued from page 1)


has taken me as their living link missionairy. The Prairie Green Church of Christ, R. R., Wellington, Illinois, has pledged a hundred dol lars a year toward living link sup port of my wife. Then individuals and organizations of the Jamestown Christian Church, Jamestown, Indi ana, where we have been ministering, have pledged over five hundred dol lars a year to my wife's support. Our travel and supply fund is com ing in good. At present we have re ceived about one-eighth of what we will need. It is our prayer that this
fund will be in soon that we might
be able to sail with Miss Palmer

waste In printing and postage. Is to know them. frequently revise the mailing list, It seems that use of the scholar eliminating the names of those from ship she was granted will obligate
whom we have not heard within a

her to work wherever the adminis

year, and therefore have no way of trating committee wishes to send her, knowing they have received or read and under their supervision. Naomi the paper. is one of our most valued workers One more suggestion, if you are so we cannot afford to lose her to getting more copies of the paper than some other group. She herself wants to continue help you can use, please let Mrs. Schaal ing us. However, the only way we know just how many you can use, so

no copies will be wasted. If you need more than you are getting she will so is to see that she is supported from a source other than the scholarship be glad to increase the number. which made it possible for her to en Melba Palmer.
ter school.

can be assured she will be free to do

This will require a regular allow ance of twenty-five dollars per when she returns to Tibet. We have no apricots this summer, month. Although several have shown At the time of writing, we have but berries and apples. It is fright an Interest, so far no one has felt not applied for our passports be fully hot and dry-no rain for two able to pledge even a part of this; cause we lack some of my wife's liv weeks. The ditch too (our water amount. ing link support. Pray for us that supply) has been out and everybody We need all our workers and we may soon be able to go to that too busy with harvests to fix It. The more, so if you can pledge any field that is white unto harvest but gardens ^e like baked stone. Oh, amount to help us keep Naomi, let the laborers few.^Mr. and Mrs. Ellis I believe it is going to rainhow us know immediately, before it is too
R. Back.

grand!!Gladys Schwake.

late.^Melba Palmer.

THE TIBETAN iVIISSIONAHY

Page 8

MY TRIP OUT OF TIBET <0r Diary of an El'even-Year-Old.)

there she was.

Just then a boy

while he was preaching.

He discov

walked up. We didn't notice where ered they were stolen when he turned he came from. He told us he had to look up the reference. After the By Margaret Bare seen this dog and caught her, while meeting, before anyone had gone, he he was herding sheep, and tied her told the people that he would give, (Continued from 'March issue.) with his girdle to bring her to his a pey drang to whoever brought them July 5, 1939.I woke up in the home. Then he saw us, and, as she back. This afternoon a little boy alight last night hearing rain. It wasn't a Tibetan dog, he decided she brought them back. seemed like someone had just called was ours. He wanted us to pay him
me. I listened a moment or two and

for bringing her to us.

We were
MOUNTAINS

then I heard someone say, "Marguer sure that Peggy wouldn't let a ite, it's raining, and you, Dorothy, strange Tibetan near her, and she

hardly lets any of our native helpers and let the men and boys (Daddy, tie her up so mama told the boy if
and Phyllis have to get out of bed

The trail was long, the road was


rough.

Uncle Edgar, Edgar, John and Gar


sleeping outside, but the rain drove

he could walk up to Peggy and pat


give him a ban quey, fifty cents. He

land) get in it. -They had sorted her, to prove whatie saidrshe would them in. Mrs. Shao wasn't very started to try it but she attacked

The mountains steep and high. The air was fresh and very cool Rivers were rushing by.
The .'joys of that cannot be told.
Excitement in the air.

well so we invited her in with her

him and we had to hold her to keep


her from biting him. It's too dark to write.

baby, Philip.

Our tent is just a lit

tle crowded with our famil^ in it,


iut we had sixteen people in it this
morning! The Shaos and Ohens

You cannot know the feeling


Until you have been there.

started the night in a little depres


sion to protect themselves from the
to move out because it filled
"water.

July 6.This noon White Fang (our other dog) and Quick (Mr. Westborg and Mr. Alfsen's dog which
to them) disap

wind, but when it rained, they had we were taking


with

peared. We haven't gotten them yet, but we expect to send for them as

You can have the rolling hills, Fl'at lands or deserts dry. Just give me those great mountains. Giants against the sky. And though
rugged

they

are rough and

of pigeons, a few chickens, and three cats. We have two mules of our own <iog, Peggy, wias gone. We thought and three donkeys. The Nichols have that since she wasn't with any of
lor lunch, we discovered that our

soon as we can. There are still five "We started real early this morning, and around noon when we stopped dogs left in our caravan,several pairs

My heart will always cry


To be among those mountains Once again before I die. Dorothy Nichols

our other dogs, she must be chasing one donkey, and we have a cow.

l>irds, or just exploring: so we didn't July 7^We arrived here_ this think much about it, but she still was noon, i don't like Lham Di. it is gone by the time we got here. We a little place, and the people are cur

to(ps of the pines. The scene was who are going to stay here of our schooling *ihas been, and Is being beautiful, thrilling. Some of us who party can have only three or four interrupted by a term of service in got ahead stopped in a lovely place rooms. I'm the only one of our fam the Navy, but he continues to study

This is about the I have known Marvin Senter for with gorgeous wild flowers all dirtiest place I've seen yet. The around. Looking down from the house they're (the folks) to live in is some time and for several years he summit of the mountain we could big but there are six or seven Tibet has been planning and preparing for see little lakes of mist resting on the an families in it already; so those missionary service in Tibet. His

crossed a real high beautiful pass, ious but friendly.

FUTURE MISSIONARY

to rest our -horses and mules and wait for the rest of the caravan. I wish
loveliness of the forest.

ily who goes on instead of staying here. The Shao family is staying
for air five of them. Our family

and plan for that future time when

he can be in the service of His King.


Recently he has been busy inter

I could stay there forever in the pure here and they will have one room

across the road from a little Tibetan our kitchen, and the kitchen, dining been added to my travel fund, and village of three or four flat-roofed room, bedroom, living room and who knows how much more good houses. The people gathered around store room for Joseph and Mosone. has been done?

esting his friends far and near in will have three rooms; one will be helping make it possible for those of This place where we have stopped the bedroom and store room; one us who are ready to get to the field tonight is quite pretty but nothing to will be the living room, dining room quickly. As a result of his efforts last night's camping place. We are and dispensary; and the third will be nearly three hundred dollars have

us for an hour or so to satisfy their

curiosity. The Nichols have rented Del Yin will have a room for the night in the largest

Jitsen 'Chupi and his wife, Lilali, and


one room to

In this way he is proving without

house and we pitched our tent right


across the road from them.

a doubt his sincere interest in this gether. work. Pray for him as he continues In spite of all the dirtiness of the his preparation.^Melba Palmer.

We told the Tibetans here that our

village, this valley is beautiful. There

iher.

quantities of fish In the creek. would get her back to us if we would I guess I told you I have this fifpay them. We agreed, but we knew July 9.This morning we took our teen-year-old Fu boy to help in the that Peggy wouldn't let them touch tent out to the other side of the creek, house. He was so good on the road,

dog was gone, and they said they

are lots of birds and flowers, and

Just now I heard someone say, and then invited the* Tibetans to the so orderly. He is the son of Morses' "Why here she is!" and ran out to service. Mr. Shao was the preacher. former evangelist, Fu. Gladys see if Peggy had come. Sure enough. His Bible and song book were stolen Schwake.

Page 4

THE TIBETAN iVnSSION.\RY

HOPEFUL When Gladys returned I had two desperately 111 patients, a renal drop sy and a T. B. with empyema. They had improved somewhat under my care but Gladys still held little hope
for them when she examined them.

However, the sulpha which she brought up has proved a God-send for the empyena case and the dropsy is improving. I devised a "Turkish Bath" by dropping hot stones in a bucket of
water over which he sits covered by a blanket. This sweats him good

Then led by the Bugle and Drum corps, we paraded through town ac companied by the firing of fire crack ers and the occasional repeating of the yells. When the tour was com pleted, any inhabitant of Batang who was ignorant of the good news was without excuse. They burned up at least $100,000 worth of firecrack ers which might be $100 in real money. They had some Chinese plays in the evening.Edgar Nichols.

HO DU BOW
Ho Du Bow came day before yes

terday.

I believe he will be a big:


He is a young man

help to Gladys.

now, has certainly changed a lot la the last three years. She plans tcv
train him in the medical work and later send him to Chengtu or Chung king to study to become a Doctor. Edgar Nichols. Yea, I am greatly interested in Ho
Du Bow because he wants to be a doctor and a Christian. I have there
fore asked him to come home for one

year till I see what prospects there


are of a church taking up his educa tional support. He will be a fifteen-year proposi tion to be well trained. Naomi advo cates Dr. Chia's school at once but we feel he should be observed here first. He is so like Naomithought ful and helpful. You can be think

and this combined with purges and tonics has done him a lot of good. I am somewhat hopeful of this fel low In a spiritual way also and he has promised to come to church as soon as he is able.Edgar Nichols.

ing, praying and suggesting regard


Bend your best efforts for Joseph and his bridemost promising of the whole outfit.Gladys Schwake.

ing this matter. God will answer. Do get busy on support for him..
I would like to see a church take him

up.

I suppose it will' take a hundred

month at the high ratea now in Chengtu for a medical course.. He is coming up with Col. Fu. I will be so thankful, as poor Dzoa Drema is wearing herself out trying to help me besides watching apples. >nSS GLADYS F. SCmVAKE, R. N. Where Joseph is we do not know hope he gets here soon. I need him too, as you may guess with this num GOD'S HELP ber of patients.Gladys Schwake. Ho Du Bow is a nephew of Naomi. I can't write much now about my trip here. Suffice it to say, God was He had been in the middle school, as. my Helper. It rained terrifically all the Chinese call the high school, for but two nights after I was under cov three years or perhaps four.Mabel

dollars a

er, the week from Litang in here. Only a few day time rains so my neu ritis did not trouble me, of which I wrote. I had only been out of bed four days in Kangting when we left. We laid over three days in Ho Koo
and two weeks in Litang.

Nichols.

FAJIEWBLL

(Continued from page 1) tunity to tell you good-bye. Although no date has yet been set for our sail

Please thank all of our people for ing, it seems quite probable that we their generosity during my stay in will be able to sail soon after the first Chengtu. X surely felt the hand of of the year. the Lord ever present. Yes, ail along As we go to this field, where we my journey going and coming. Fu's are needed so badly, please continue men have gone down and lost three to hold us up in prayer. If you do
mules to robbers. The Judge's party not hear from us personally just re also lost boxes, so you see our "high member that our mail's are slow and ways" are becoming more dangerous uncertain, and we will be much too
all the time.

busy to write often.

We will try to

keep in touch with you all through I can never render enough praise prayer, and through the pages of the

unto the Lord for all His unbounded Tibetan Missionary, and we will ap mercies and love through the years preciate every letter we receive from in the work. He has been my won any of you.

Farewell', and may God bless yoa derful "Hitherto" and will be my "Henceforth" also.Gladys Schwake. all,Melba Palmer.

Latest Word from J. Russell Morse


Kunming, China Dec. 12,1945

"I came here a week ago to confer with and to help Warren and Isabel Dittemore. They
Airlme passage via starting the Chinese ci^ to Likiang this Commermorning. I leave at once by U. S. Army truck to Tali with such of the mission supplies as tiiey could "ot send by the two cargo planes. At Tali I ragage a mule caravan to get the freight

with their caravan organized. Then we go to . our postoffice, Ai-Wa. But there we shall

to Li^ang where I hope to find the Dittemores

have a three days' porterage job to get done

as we cross the Mekong-Salween divide. With

weel^. H snow comes early we shall have to


^ j" jj (The mioaion .itilTstill pays rent on hminr side. mission the house at Kang Pu, once occupied by Mrs.
^

the best of luck we may get through in three


months on the Mekong

Dittemore, and the missionaries would preach


and teach among the congregations first or
ganized.)

stage of evacuation. A definite air of depres


sion has set in."

keep.

"Travel conditions are the most difficxilt and me most expe^ive I have ever known. The Japanese wrecked the railroad from Haiphong to Kummng and there is no prospect of its being rebuUt. Even the Ledo road will soon be impassable through disuse and lack of up

Am^can Air Force is in the last

ably reach America sometime next summer, and not this winter as we reported the possi

"Count on the whole Morse family to begin May. (That means that the family will prob
ur^ntly requested the prayers of the lurches
Message transmitted by Mrs. Ruth Morse,
J. Russeuj Mo^e Family.

fwlough as soon as the snow passes open in

bility in the last news-letter. Mr. Morse

mbehalf of the workers on the mission field.^


forwarding agent for the

114 SouthDenverAve.,
Tulsa Okla.

January 5,1946.

114 South Denver Avenue, Tulsa 3, Okla. December 31, 1945

The Claristian Standard Pabl. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio

Dear Friendsj/ About two weeks ago you published a list of addresses
of missiona^jds
be changed.

and I wish to call your attention to two which should

BHiS-^Dorothy Sterling, AI-WA, Yunnan, West China, via

Kunming and '^ihiang* The Search and Rescue Squadron has been disbanded
and mail sent to that address has been returned to the writers.

Mr and Mrs J. Russell Morse and ^gene and Robert Morse,

AI-WA, Yunnan, West China ,

via Kunming and Likiang.

They ELre_not

enroute home at the present time.

You are at liberty to use such information as you

chose from

the following just received from J.Russell Morse under date of Dec 12, 1945 written from Kunming
The Dittemores

where he met Isabel and Warren Dittemore.


went out to the airfield last ni^t and pracf'

ally all their supplies will be flown with, them to Likiang where
by pack caravan

they

must prepare for their caravan journey to the Salween mission. Meanwhile I follow by U.S.Army truck to Tall, thence
and Mrs Dittegmore at Likiang. I shall return

join
with them to the

mission.

It is now so late in the year

.that I doubt being able to


If so, it will
Miss

get back over the passes before they are closed by snow.

be May at least before my family and I dare attempt the trip.

Sterling and Mr and Mrs Dittemore are I believe the first missionaries

allowed to enter Yunnan since the war opened.

Never before have I known

travel out here to be so difficult and so expensive. We urgently ask all


the dhurches to pray for us.
Signed: J.Russell Morse

Sent by Mrs Ruth Morse

Forwarding Agent ^

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