Letter from C.Y.Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, November 26, 1936
Letter from C.Y.Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, November 26, 1936
C.Y.Sun
Phillips Academy
November 26, 1936
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
34 Hongkong Road Tientsin, China. 26th November, 1936
My dear Dr. Stearns,
It has been my honor for the past sixteen years to write to you on this occasion conveying to you and Mrs. Stearns my most heartfelt greetings for a very Merry Christmas and a truly Happy New Year. I can not think of anyone to whom I owe so much and so deeply grateful for what you did toward the moulding of my children into manhood.
Arthur is still with the City Government of the City of Greater Shanghai as its senior engineer, and Tom has left the Kailan Mining Administration in Tientsin this last summer and joined the Bank of China in Shanghai. He did so at a considerable sacrifice financially only because that it was thought that he might lie of greater service to the country by throwing his lot in with the premier banking institution of China thereby contributing his share in the economic development of the country. He has been appointed as an Assistant District Superintendent of the Head Office Business Department. Mary is still living in Peiping along together with my eldest son Edwin.
This last year has been a trying one for me. My annual trip to Shanghai this last spring was the cause of my failing health. It was there that I was again taken seriously ill from which I have yet to recover completely. All energy left my erstwhile strong body to such an extent that at one time I could not walk even around the room without assistance. But. now I am immensely better and am able to sit up and write this letter of greeting to you and Mrs. Stearns.
The political horizon in the Far East is not at all too bright. At this very juncture one dares not say whether there will be war or peace. But one thing is sure that the days are gone when China can accept provocations without recourse. Should hostilities break out, it can not be certain to what extent it will develop or in what direction. It will be terrible, but China is ready to a man.
I am taking the liberty to send to you under separate cover some embroidery as a remembrance as well as a token of my deep appreciation of a truly great man such as you. Knowing the uncompromising attitude of the Customs People of most nations, I have taken it onto myself to enclose herewith the voucher for the embroidery identifying it as an antique which it really is. I understand antiques can avoid duty payment. This voucher, being issued by an expert on such things, should avoid you unnecessary expenditure. I hope by this slight expression of my appreciation and gratitude to you, our friendship, even across the great ocean that separates us, will be everlasting.
My children join me in sending to you and Mrs. Stearns our most cordial greetings of the season with a hope that the coming year will be one of happiness and contentment to a truly deserving man such as you.
Most sincerely yours
C.Y.Sun
English
Correspondence
A Check from C.Y.Sun to Hung Tsing Te, September 11, 1936
A Check from C.Y.Sun to Hung Tsing Te, September 11, 1936
C.Y.Sun
Phillips Academy
September 11, 1936
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
English
check
"List of Boys", the professions of Chinese Alumni of Andover
"List of Boys", the professions of Chinese Alumni of Andover
C.H.Chow
Phillips Academy
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
English
Letter from C.H.Chow to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, March 4, 1913 (Transcription)
Letter from C.H.Chow to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, March 4, 1913
C.H.Chow
Phillips Academy
March 4, 1913
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
English
Correspondence
Letter from Tom Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, December 15, 1937
Letter from Tom Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, December 15, 1937
I5th, December, 1937
My dear Mr. and Mrs. Stearns
I have before me two letters from you which touch me deeply by its kindness. I hesitate to remark on them because I feel that it is beyond my ability to put down in words my feeling of appreciation. However, I will say that they constitute the only two rays of friendship and kindness that the sharpest pair of eyes can gather from the much disturbed horizon. Your offer of bountiful hospitality touches one that above the clouds there is still something finer and greater in this world of ours so as to leave us yet another ray of hope for the brotherhood, of all an at a time when discouragement and disillusion push us to the brim of pessimism.
It is not that my reluctant declination of your hospitality an unwillingness of my part to part with the children, but it Is the realization that during those troublous times one feels more assured to have all one's loved ones near at hand. Day to day existence has few luxuries and whatever little there is left of it is being enjoyed to the fullest extent. At any rate they will be worthless of your generosity and kindness. Nevertheless I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and my little family joins me to extend to you our profoundest gratitude and appreciation.
It is unnecessary for me to elaborate the inner thoughts running through the minds of everyone of us, and it should be sufficient to say that the finer things in life are being replaced by things of ghastly appearance - its extent being even undreamt of by Him to whom we all owe allegiance. Things beautiful and peaceful are being removed by stark realities of which we have only read hut never saw till now.Things forced us to turn away, things obligating us to forget ourselves, and things pushing us on into even greater grotesquely deeds are changing the meaning of life to which most of us hold dear. One often wonders why doesn't one throw up his hands in despair and proclaim that if such is the thing that man has learned, let me be a beast.
At times like these one tends to wander his mind to days of happier background. I can still remember the night when I stepped off in Andover from the train now seventeen years ago. You were there and later piloted us to the home where we all, and I in particular, spent many receptive days. I still remember the days spent in Stowe school, and then Andover, and hence to Middlebury and Yale. Some of those days wore anything but easy, but as one grows in years and experience, these become an inseparable part of an indispensable education. I had hopes, then. High hopes But now all is empty except the inner will. Where are the things which are said to be fine and beautiful? Where are the things for which we are taught respect?
My father and his family are still in Tientsin and by the latest reports he is still in good health. As for Arthur and Mary, they are still in Shanghai and Peiping respectively. Although we have tried to gather all together, but for some reason or the other, we have never been successful. However, in the near future, if circumstances permit, we shall have another attempt.
My little family is well, or as well as an be expected under the circumstances. I have, as you know, two boys aged two and four. Happily they are still in their innocent and ignorant days. I shall certainly do my best to bring then up in the best atmosphere possible. Our home is in a comparatively safe zone at the present writing. I am up against the difficulty in that I am the sole dependent of my entire little family all members of whom are extremely young and quite inexperienced in what you might say worldly ways. However, I have been getting along, and barring things unforeseen, we should get along even through this crisis, although with the attendant uncertainty.
Please accept my whole-hearted thanks and appreciation for your most generous offer. I regret that I shall be unable for reasons as above to avail myself of the privilege, but I shall keep this kindness in my heart and shall not forget the motive which prompted it in the years to come. My wife joins me to extend to you our most sincere greetings of the season in grateful appreciation.
yours most sincerely
Tom Sun
Phillips Academy
December 15, 1937
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
English
Correspondence
Letter from Stuart Leighton to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, May 10, 1933
Letter from Stuart Leighton to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, May 10, 1933
Stuart Leighton
Phillips Academy
May 10, 1933
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Dear Mr Stearns:
Your very interesting letter to Mr. Barber of May 9th is at hand and since Mr. Barber is at present not in the office I am glad to take this opportunity to assure you that Yenching University will most heartily welcome you as one of the members of the Advisory Council.
We are anxious to have as our Advisors persons like yourself who already have a keen interest in China and its problems and those who, in their positions and connections in this country are likely to give wise council either along educational or business lines* Your apparent understanding of the Chinese through personal contact over a period of years should make you valuable to us.
I am interested in your statement that you visited Peking University on its former site before it became known as Yenching University. It would give us great pleasure to show you our present campus and buildings and to tell you of Yenching’s activities today.
From time to time we expect to send our Advisory Council members communications from Peking and from our New York office dealing with various aspects of China’s problems and with what Yenching is doing to aid in their solution* China is sure to become increasingly important in the history of the world and we are eager to do all in our power to build up a helpful relationship between her and our own country.
Mr. Alfred E. Stearns
Archmeadow
Danvers, Massachusetts
English
Correspondence
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to C.Y.Sun, July 12, 1933
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to C.Y.Sun, July 12, 1933
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Phillips Academy
July 12, 1933
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Archmeadow
Danvers,Mass.
July 12, 1933.
Mr. C. Y. Sun,
Tientsin, North China.
My dear Mr. Sun,
Your very kind letter of June 4th. reached me several days ago and was most welcome. Letters from my Chinese friends are always a source of real pleasure to me; and none are more so than yours.
Naturally to one who is so keenly interested in Chine as I am and who claims so many good friends there as I do the big things that have been happening in your country during recent months have a special appeal. It is all very bewildering to one so far removed from the scene of action and the results cannot be easily or properly appraised. One thing is clear, however, and that is that the sympathies of the American people as a whole have gone out without reserve to the Chinese and that Japan has lost immeasurably such confidence ad good will as she may have enjoyed in the past. Her prestige has been badly undermined. Just now when the efforts of all high minded men throughout the world have been directed towards the high goal of smoothing out international difficulties, breaking down international barriers, removing causes of International suspicions and distrust, and creating confidence and good will, it is distressing to find that any one nation is willing to undermine it all in pursuit of its own selfish ends. That at least is the way the thing looks to those of us who have to view things as they appear and who may perhaps be limited in their understanding of what is back of it all. How I should love to sit down with someone like you and get the first hand information that I lack.
My interest in your children has not lessened an iota since they have returned to their home land. Indeed it appears to increase with the passing of the months. Any word from or of them will always have a hearty welcome. Sometimes I wonder whether they have received the letters and messages that both Miss Clemons and I have sent them from time to time. Our sympathy has gone out whole-heartedly to Mary in her affliction. Eary indeed has she been called upon to face the hard things of life. And what about Arthur, Charlie, and Tom? I shall always feel that these fine children of yours with whom it has been my privilege to share my home have a very special claim on my affection and good will. My prayers and good wishes will always follow them. And may their life and achievements bring only satisfaction and happiness to you.
It is no easy task to get adjusted to my new way of living. My health, I am glad to report, seems to be getting better steadily and I now feel very much like my old self, though I cannot carry too much of a load without realizing my limitations. But I have always in the past enjoyed such good health and have so relished active and hard work that the change comes a bit hard. For the past few months I have been taking life very easily out here in the country enjoying limited exercise about the place in my garden and orchard. If conditions in China ever change to such an extent as to prompt again your countrymen to wish to send their boys and girls to America I should welcome the opportunity to be of help to them as I have tried to be in the past. My country home is only a dozen miles from Andover; the house is large and the grounds extensive; local public schools are good; and altogether I think I could supply attractive and helpful surroundings and conditions for those who,like your own children when they came to us, would require a year or two of home life and special training before going on to the higher schools like Phillips Academy. This probably is only a dream of mine; but you see that I miss the old contacts and that 1 should welcome the chance to be of some real service in the world during the years that are still left to me.
I think I wrote you how thoroughly I appreciated and enjoyed the tea you sent me some time ago, and which, if my memory serves me, came while I was abroad last winter. If I did not I must apologize and explain my negligence as me to the generally upset and unstable condition in which I existed for some months after coming from the hospital. Lately I feel as if things were on an even keel again, and I hope to be able to be more business-like in the future. My new home offers me splendid opportunities to use to the best advantage the many beautiful things that my Chinese friends have given me in the past. I wish you could see them as they now adorn the walls and tables in my library and lining rooms especially. They 'furnish me constant and happy reminders of good friends who may be far away in actual distance but who are constantly in my thoughts and whose friendship is one of the best things that my life and work at Andover have brought me.
Please remember me most warmly to all of the children and tell them how happy I should be to hear from them now and then. And believe me, with kindest regards to you personally and every best wish to all the Suns,
Yours most sincerely.
English
Correspondence
Letter from C.Y.Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, June 4, 1933
Letter from C.Y.Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, June 4, 1933
C.Y.Sun
Phillips Academy
June 4, 1933
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
25 Wellington Road
Tientsin, North China.
4th June, 1933
My dear Dr. Stearns,
Your kind letter of the 10th of Feb. reached me at a time when one’s mind is filled with wandering thoughts of the present situation in the Far East. Henee, I hope that the tardiness of this reply may be pardoned.
Your retirement from active service to the far famed Andover Academy must be a deep regret to the school and a loser to the Educational World. It will not be wrong to say that the school as a unit grew from the result of your pains-taking care year after year it is what is to-day. It is a school culminating the faithful services rendered to it by you. And now it is known and famed not only in the United States, but throughout the world.
I can fully imagine that your resignation from the school must be a case much against your wish. But speaking from a sentimental view point, you can now sit back and enjoy the sight of young men hurrying everywhere in the world sharing the duty of good citizenship. You can also enjoy to see them, because of your efforts and long service, go out into the world to demonstrate the name of the "house that Dr. Stearns built." It is a feeling of pride in one’s heart that those young men in every way owe their education to their beloved and revered Head-Master Emeritus.
I trust that you have fully recovered from your operation and that you enjoyed your trip to the Continent. It is a well deserved rest and trip and I am sure that you derived every benefit from it.
All my children join me to extend you our most sincere and warmest greetings.
Most sincerely yours
English
Correspondence
Letter from C.Y.Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, December 1932
Letter from C.Y.Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, December 1932
C.Y.Sun
Phillips Academy
December 1932
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Chinese-Foreign Famine Relief Committee
12 Junkee Road,
Shanghai,
China,
December, 1932
I am extremely happy to learn through your very good letter of the 9th of October that you are being allowed one year’s leave of absence and that you are taking that opportunity to travel leisurely through Europe to further recuperate your health. I hope most sincerely that by the time you return to duty you will be able to render your valuable service in the same old energetic fashion.
Through these years, I can not forget nor know how to repay the invaluable deeds you had done to educate my children, to bring them up and round them into manhood. whatever I do is so insignificant comparing to the gratitude I have in my heart for you. I will not try to repay you, because I know it is beyond the power of word, nor is it within my material power. But I do want to express to you that deep down in my heart, and in the heart of all my children, there is a sense of appreciation and gratitude that defies explanation. Therefore I beg of you to be ever so kind to receive the four boxes of tea which I am sending to you under separate cover with the understanding that they come from the bottom of our hearts. And with every drop you drink of it, you can assure yourself that we have no other means of thanking you except to let you know that we do want to thank you.
As you will notice by my address that I am still down in Shanghai doing the relief work of which I am so fond. However, I expect to wind up whatever business I have down here and return North for a rest. All the children are doing their bit, and I am sure that it is your joy as well as mine to see them succeed where so many became disheartened.
I shall feel very guilty if you think this letter is deserving of a reply. I do not want to disturb your vacation in the least. I shall feel happy if you only know that we think of you and greatly concerned over your well-being.
Ever sincerely yours
C.Y.Sun
English
Correspondence
Letter from Charlie Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, December 7, 1932
Letter from Charlie Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, December 7, 1932
Charlie Sun
Phillips Academy
December 7, 1932
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Service de Protocole, Wai Chiao Pu, Nanking, December 17, 1932.
Dear Dr. Stearns;
Your most kindly letter reached me a long time ago, but between then and now many things happened which had kept me pretty busy. A summary of my personal march of events will perhaps give you an idea of what had passed since I wrote you last.
After a month’s stay in Shanghai last June, I went back to Tientsin to my old home town for the first time after many years. There I lived three happy months with my parents. But the question of getting a job presented itself to me, and after many attempts and through the good offices of my former colleague in the Chinese Legation at London, I was successful in obtaining a position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as stated above. So at the end of September, after having attended Tommie's marriage in Tientsin, I sailed south for Shanghai, where I was put up at Arthur’s house. Here something very sad happened; namely the death of my brother-in-law, Mary’s husband, to Whom she was married in the previous summer just after my landing in Shanghai and at whose wedding I acted as the bestman. I need not trouble you with the details of his illlness that led to his sudden and tragic death, but suffice to say that he had an acute internal trouble, who was discovered too late for operation. He died after having been vainly operated on. Mary was in a state of collapse and my poor Dad was not far from been distracted by the blow. It happened that Mary's husband had not immediate relatives in Shanghai at the time of his death. Mary and Father were both disqualified for doing any real work, and as luck would have it, Arthur was taken ill at this juncture as well as one of his babies, which kept my sister-in-law at home to attend the sick ones. That left my kid sister and myself as the only ones who might give some help, and believe me, I had a hard time; because besides attending to the troublesome matters of a Chinese funeral, with which I was not at all farmiliar, I had to at the same time do my best to cheer everyone up, but chiefly Mary and my Dad. I had never had such a difficult time in my life, and my final examinations at Phillips were nothing compared with this. Finally, however, the mother and brother of the deceased arrived from Peiping and with the help of many kind friends, we were able to have the body ready for shipment to the north for burial. Mary went back with the body to Tientsin, where she now is, after having seen the burial. Poor Mary, what is she going to do! Only four months married and both of them so young. Dr. Stearns, it was certainly hard for me, who having not long been the bestman at their wedding to act not many months later as the bearer of the coffin of one of them. I hope you will write to Mary and give her a word of encouragement. You may reach her by addressing your letter to me.
After this tragic event in Shanghai I came to Nanking around the sixth of December and went immediately to work at the Ministry. My job, as the name of the Service indicated, consisted of protocols matters which includes a variety of things such as preparing formal banquets, meeting foreign diplomatic or prominent visiters to our capital, drafting messages of felicitation and condolence, etc; , etc. The work is fairly interesting and suits me, because it does not require much knowledge of Chinese. But I am not very satisfied with it in so much as it is a Government job, for which I have a strong dislike. Had it not been my father's repeated urging, I would not have re-entered government service. But to please him I am putting up with it, at least for the present. I hope some day, however, I shall be able to find something elsewhere.
As you will be spending Christmas in Europe, I wish to give you my greetings for the Season and best wishes for a good rest and trip around the Continent. It is too bad that you cannot manage to visit us in China, for I am sure that if you do, there are more many persons who will be ready to welcome old Dr; Stearns to their home land.
Tommy is now working at the Kailan Mining Administration in Tongshan near Tientsin; Arthur is still with the Shanghai Municipal Government; Frank is the sales manager of the China Radio Company at Tientsin; Quincy, from whom I have not heard since my return, is according to his father teaching at the Hangchow University at the City of Hangchow; Charlie Tsai I am sorry to say is not doing so well. He is in Tientsin working in the Railway office, but I fear he does not take his work seriously. The Yuan Brothers, William and Henry, their nephew Tommy, and Admiral Tu’s son, who had such a hard time at Phillips are all in Tientsin. William is connected with a cement factory; Henry is doing well at the Tientsin head office of the Kailan Mining Administration. Tommy Yuan is another rascal; he is doing nothing. I met Tu at a musical recital I attended last summer when I was in Tientsin, but I did not get to know what he is doing. Oh, by the way, I must not forget Dick Tseng. I heard he is now also married and is working with the British American Tobacco Company of China. His exact location is not known to me. Little Chan of Canton, whom although I have not seen for years, is, I am told, working in a Bank at Hongkong. He must be doing well too. This in short is all the P.A. news from China that I know of. I shall be glad to hear from you what is going on in Andover.
Ever sincerely yours,
English
Correspondence