4 10 70 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/a2023ca8cea8d6e67cd35403b9910117.jpg 5e1e760633a038bcbad6724524967ca1 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/23cd6e3adce7977c8397245e1c2bec4d.jpg e506914caaa50e9c7329566bf17dc75c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur Sun, March 29, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur Sun, March 29, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred Stearns to Arthur Sun. Explains the phone conversation was hard to understand and that is the reason he didn't arrange for Mary to visit. Explains he knew Arthur had an engagement, but wasn't able to leave it and Mary wouldn't be welcome. Had Tommie accompany Mary to Boston. Suggest Charlie visit Mary in Washington due to Arthur's limited time. Explains Charlie declines to go and believes Arthur better suited. Waits for Arthur's reply regarding matter. Discuss issue about Mary. States Mr. Sze agrees with course of action regarding Mary's education. States Mary would have adjusted sooner without interference from members of Abbot Academy. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 29, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource March 29, 1926 Mr. Arthur Sun Technology Dormitories Cambridge, Mass. Dear Arthur: This morning’s mail brings me your two letters of recent date, and I am enclosing herewith the check for your allowance and an additional check for the Christian Association, as requested. A word about Mary. I could not get one out of five words that you spoke over the telephone last week, and that is the only reason why I did not arrange to have you and Mary meet in Boston Sunday afternoon. I had definitely counted on that plan in case you were not able to come out to Andover and take Mary in yourself.All I could get from the jumble of the conversation that came to me over the telephone was the definite impression that you had an evening and dinner engagement which I did not for a moment suppose Mary would be welcome and that you could not leave it. That would have meant that Mary would be left alone in Boston or Cambridge during that time, and I did not like the idea. Consequently I had Tommie accompany her into Boston, since I could not well arrange to go myself. If I had dreamed for a minute that your friend from China desired to see Mary and that you yourself would be able to take care of her that afternoon, I should have, of course, sent her in on an early afternoon train. This is really the first time I think that I have not been able to understand you clearly over the telephone, and It is very unfortunate that the poor connection happened to come at this time when there was really a good deal at stake. When I saw Mr. Tse, your minister, in Washington last week, he urgently requested that one of you boys should join Mary at the legation as his guest during the vacation period. As I understood that your vacation would be very limited, at best, I suggested that Charlie go, and I wrote Charlie at once asking him to do so. This morning’s mail brings me a letter from him, in which he expresses his hope that I will not press the matter, as be evidently does not desire to go and would not enjoy the visit. He feels that you are much better able to discuss matters with the minister and asks me to let you go in his place. He said that he was writing you to this effect; and so I want to inquire whether it would be possible for you to go down to Washington before this week is over to be Mr.Sze’s guest for several days, at least. Please let me hear from you promptly about this. As to Mary’s problem, all I can say is that Mr. Sze, to whom I showed all my correspondence with your father, assured me that I had acted exactly in accordance with my instructions and that he did not see how I could have done otherwise. The fact of the matter is that, if a few hot-heads at Abbot Academy and Mss Shapleigh had not interfered in a matter about which they knew comparatively nothing and without even taking the trouble to come to me to ascertain what was at the bottom of the change, I am confident that the matter would have settled itself and that Mary herself would speedily have settled down into a normal and happy state of mind. Indeed when I saw her Sunday and talked with her, she seemed very reasonable and appeared to be ready to do her best to meet her father’s wishes and gain admission to college. Do let me hear from you as soon as you receive this letter, so that I can know what to plan and what to advise Mr.Sze. Very sincerely yours. Arthur Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/8fcb7dbc9b09d9fb6360d626e8e10d83.jpg 6f7cd464eb88f520634c5d51c431e1cd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur Sun, January 29, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur Sun, January 29, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Arthur Sun. Enclosed request check for $90.00. Will be in Andover for the week to meet with Arthur. Plans to discuss Mary's future plans. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 29, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource January 29, 1926 Mr.Arthur Sun 210 Technology Dormitory Cambridge, Massachusetts Dear Arthur: I have just received your letter and am enclosing check for ninety dollars, as requested. Kindly return receipt. So far as I can tell I shall be in Andover for the greater part at least of the coming week, and shall be very glad if you can run out some day for a conferene. I am especially anxious to talk over with you Mary’s future plans and work. Sincerely yours. Arthur Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/eebaf0bc3f4d5bd40c493e76eeb1dbef.jpg 378867c14f7145057ef50e7251ac2076 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/5c7c0366bed5b80c3ffc1339040c1ebd.jpg 692e67744d3666bb0bf17020a7fec2c9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur Sun, February 16, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur Sun, February 16, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Arthur Sun. Discusses Mary's school transfer. Explains the choices were based on telegrams from their father, C.Y. Sun. States he wrote to C.Y. Sun at Christmas, explaining what it would mean to have Mary attend college. Explains the instructions received were 'Prepare Mary for College' leaving Stearns to decide the details. States he is unsure of what to do for Tom future education. Wishes to discuss these issues with Arthur. Received check and credited to account. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 16, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource February 16, 1926. Mr. Arthur Sun, New Tech Dormitory, Cambridge, Mass. Dear Arthur: On my return to Andover this morning I find your letter of February 10th. I am afraid that I have missed your visit if you made one, for I have been away since Thursday of last week. Doubtless you have heard of the recent decision to change Mary's school, a matter that I hope to be able to discuss with you in the early future. Mary, of course, is terribly upset, and naturally so, and I can’t blame her a bit, for I can’t feel altogether that we have done the very best things; at least, I am rather inclined to believe that if your father had been actually on the ground here, and known all of the conditions, he would have been disposed to favor rounding out the course at Abbot for the school degree, and then adding the college preparation later, even though it might mean an extra year. In view of his cablegram, however, there seemed to be nothing for me to do but act promptly and make the change, which I did. After investigating carefully a number of schools, and making all of the inquiries I could of responsible and informed persons, the Wittier School at Merrimac, which has been chosen, combines a home atmosphere and the possibilities of intensive individual work such as Mary must have if she is to enter the college gates. I don’t think a better school could have been found under the circumstances, and I imagine that Mary will be happy there after she once gets over the natural jar which the sudden upset occasioned. I wrote your father very fully just before Christens telling him of the rumors that had come to me through you and Charlie, and Mary herself, that he had recently expressed a wish for Mary to go to college. I explained to him very carefully what this meant, the necessity for a complete change of course, probably an extra year of preparation, and further, the evident necessity of a change of school. I added that this involved such radical and drastic action that I would not feel justified in making it without direct and full authority from him. I told him further that I had supposed that I had been carrying out his wishes in having Mary complete the general course at Abbot, which would mean her degree in June. but that my only wish of course, was to do what he desired me to do. After giving all these details and explanations I asked him to write me fully what his present desires were so that I could be governed accordingly. The receipt of this letter by him prompted a cablegram, which only said, "Prepare Mary for College", so that seemingly there was nothing else I could do but act as I have done. I feel very sorry for Mary because I can readily understand the unhappiness that she must feel at this sudden and abrupt ending of the Abbot connection and the breaking of the contacts with the friends she has made there, but, as you can readily understand, there seemed to be nothing else to do in view of the instructions contained in the cablegram mentioned.  Then there is Tommy’s case to be decided, and here again I am completely at a Loss to know what to do. If Tom can get into college I really think he ought to go to some small college where the standards are not so severe, but where he will be made to work, none the less, rather than to a bigger institution in a large city, like the University of Penn. Further, I question the value of the business course to a boy of Tommy's disposition unless he is seriously in earnest in his desire to get the very most and best out of it he can. So you see I am really anxious to talk things over with you, and I do hope that you will be able to come out here for such an interview pretty soon. Yes, I received the rebate check of $14.00 from your Bursar, and credited it at once to your account, though I do not quite understand yet what it represents. Faithfully yours, Arthur Sun C.Y.Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/0e928bb6437245bdd2bc0318039c9692.jpg 028a9b1ee383da9235dfc1d6e196329d https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/f294546c79d37afc5ada574111d7a580.jpg e327c477e382c549782d5d326b7330e4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur Sun, April 30, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur Sun, April 30, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur Sun. States bills will be covered and asks for clarification on a bookstore bill. Provides updates on Mary's well-being and progress. Discusses a letter sent by his father and Mr. Sze about Mary's education. Mentions Mr. C.Y. Sun's response to current events in China. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 30, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Manuscripts. Correspondence. Relation A related resource April 30, 1926 Mr. Arthur Sun 93 Tech Dormitory Cambridge, Mass. Dear Arthur: I have your letter of April 28 and the accompanying bills. The latter will be settled promptly. I do not understand about the Cooperative bookstore bill. for I sent a check to cover that at least a week or ten days ago. If the chock has not been received, please let me know. I am enclosing a check for the May allowances, as requested. The last reports I have had from Mary and Mrs. Russell indicate that Mary is working- hard, is getting some good results, and is apparently increasingly contented. I think that she is really looking forward now to the college course, and I am sure that she will get mush cut of it. Mr. Sze and I are both agreed that a smaller college, like Emira out in New York State, represents the type of institution that would do most for a girl of Mary’s tastes and caliber. This morning’s mail brings me a letter from Mr Sze, enclosing a letter he had just received from your father. He also gives me a copy of a cablegram which he had recently sent to your father, and it now seems as if we all understood each other and were in agreement as to the course adopted and that still to be followed for Mary. Mr. Sze himself has kindly taken up the matter of Mary’s admission at Emira, for one of his wards or relatives is already a student there and he, himself, has close personal friends (on the faculty What a time your countrymen are having these Lays? Your father in his letter to Mr.Sze speaks of the exciting times in China as quite unparalleled in any previous experience”. He speaks of a strain on his nerves, and I don’t wander that such a strain exists under circumstances. Apparently no one seems to know just what is ahead. With all good wishes to you, believe me Faithfully yours, Arthur Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/bb48be9853f530a0f5f18b6dbf6edbcc.jpg f44f14da2319d770009df3cec68550fc https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/be5524a2dd090eaed529970aa14dddb3.jpg 177124d5fd1c18c59f064444796e01cf https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/e6d42b971656e0ff65fc0fdfdad98cb9.jpg 7e8fefa8b3334dfc48468191366b52a4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur G. Robinson, January 20, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Arthur G. Robinson, January 20, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Arthur G. Robinson. Discusses Mary and Tom Sun's future education. States Tom wants to attend Wharton School of Business Administration at University of Pennsylvania. Is unsure if Tom can keep as his progress has been slow. States Mary is currently taking general courses to obtain her diploma. Explains her father sent a message to prepare her college, which will cause upheaval in her schooling. Provides updates on Arthur and Charlie. States Arthur is almost finished at Massachusetts Tech. States Charlie is a freshman at Amherst College. Provides updates on Frank Lin and Quincey Sheh. Unsure of what to do in the cases of Tom and Mary Sun. Accepts Robinson's offer to discuss matters directly with Mr. C.Y. Sun. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 20, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource January 29, 1926 Mr. Arthur C. Robinson 60 Recreation Road Tientsin, China My dear Mr. Robinson: I deeply appreciate the cases of Tom and Mary Sun are a bit puzzling to me. Tom wishes to enter the Wharton School of Business Administration at the University of Pennsylvania, but I am inclined to think that his brothers believe that his motives are not of the highest. Whether Tom can gain admission to the ordinary college and carry successfully the load which such a college demands, I don’t know. It is difficult to tell how far Tom’s slow progress in his school work is due to lack of ability and how much to lack of concentration and a compelling purpose. Frankly I am a bit disturbed to know just what course should be mapped out for the boy after he complete his work with us at the end of the current school year. His progress has been slow from the start, even though he has regularly invested much of his summer in tutoring schools. Mary is a hard worker and has good ability along some lines. Some of her present teachers, however, are inclined to doute the wisdom of sending her to college. Up to the present time she has been taking a general course with the idea of securing a good school diploma and with the further belief on my part that this must round out her American education. A cablegram received only a few days ago from Mr. Sun, and in answer to a long letter from me in which I sought to outline clearly the nature of the problem, instructs me to have Mary prepared for college. This means a change of course and probably a change of school, and I am confident that Mary is going to be very much distressed at this prospect. I have not broken the news. To her yet, since I felt that I must first find out what the possibilities are in a case a change is made at this time. Needless to say I am making inquires in various directions to secure the desired ate. Arthur is rounding out his course at Massachusettes Tech, after many stumbles and a pretty hard struggle. Charlie is a freshman at Amherst College, where he is already getting a good grasp on his work and where I am sure his record will be one of steady advancement and in every way credible. Frank Lin is also still struggling with the Tech load, his work having always come hard for him; while Quincey Sheh is making an exceptionally fine record Bowdoin College. All of these facts have been reported to Mr. Sun, but I must admist that I am still puzzled over the problems furnished by Tom and Mary. I believe that you will be able to get a pretty clear picture of the situation as I see it if you will let Mr. Sun show you my recent letters to him. Of course there are colleages and colleges in America, as you know, and the standards vary widely. Mary is disposed to think that a college degree alone, regardless of its quality, will satisfy her father’s wishes. My own natural feeling is that instructions from Mr. Sun to prepare Mary for colleges naturally mean a college of the first rank. If that is the case, an added year of preparation will probably still be required. You see I am accepting your invitation at its face value, and I shall certainly be glad to get direct advices through you from Mr. Sun, with whom I hope you will be able to talk matters over frankly and fully before you start for America. In the meantime, I shall undoubtedly have been compelled to reach some kind of a decision, and I can only hope that decision will be wise and as nearly as possible in accord with Mr.Sun’s personal desires. With warm personal regards, Believe me Very sincerely yours. Arthur G. Robinson Dr. Alfred E. Stearns https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/93df8a059f019441a78227c88d3d3967.jpg c275fca4e89226a5de139f74389af4e6 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/70f01324ae9aac97d2d3959c302ebb49.jpg f37d1fe0c98121df4fc375c57fa4a5e5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Mary Sun, March 3, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Mary Sun, March 3, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mary Sun. States he doesn't want to deprive her of friends and if Mrs. Russell feels a visit is proper, he has no issue. Explains the group of Abbot girls, including Miss Shapleigh, tried to visit without proper arrangements or checking in with the headmaster of the school they were visiting. Believes her time should be dedicated to schoolwork, since the college prep work is different from her previous courses. States visits are for vacations. States all he has done was based on her father's instruction. Does not appreciate Mary's notion that Stearns has been unfair. Believes allowing Mary to attend Abbot was mistake, as authorities there disregarded his instructions from the beginning. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 3, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource March 3, 1926 Dear Mary Sun The Whittier School Merrimac, Massachusetts Dear Mary: Your note of March first has Just reached me. Probably this letter is unnecessary, as a letter which I mailed you only yesterday should have brought to you a dearer understanding of my attitude and feelings. The last thing in the world that I wish to do is to deprive you of good friends. If in this case Mrs. Bussell feels that a visit from one of the Abbot Academy girls is proper and can be arranged for a time that will not interfere your school work, I shall be perfectly willing to have the plan go through. On the other hand I strongly object to such a visit as Miss Shapleigh and a group of girls made you the other day, without taking the trouble to inquire from the head of the school whether it was proper or not or at what time visits were expected. Visits of that kind are completely upsetting to any school as well as to the girls concerned, and are not tolerated in any first-class school of my acquaintance. Was Shapleigh herself should have known that. The one object that I have in mind is that, in accordance with your father's definite wishes, you should give the bulk of your time and thought to the important work which is now yours, and which largely because of its novelty will require the most of your time and the best of your effort. The constant writing and receipt of letters and too many visits from friends would simply wreck the whole plan. Vacations are the times for such things, and they should be kept at the lowest limit in term-time. One of the reasons why I hesitated to choose a school so near at hand was just this very thing, and if we can't control it otherwise, I am afraid that we shall have to look for a school much farther away.  Frankly, Mary, I am getting a bit sensitive over your constant references to my seeming desire to deprive you of legitimate interests and deal unduly severely with you. Tour father has given me his confidence and asked a very definite thing of me. What I have tried to do for you through all these years has been wholly with a view to your best interests, and in the way that your father and I have felt those interests could best be attained. In many ways this has been a thankless job and a hard one, largely because of a seemly lack of appreciation on your part and a readiness to misinterpret my motives and aims. Since my instructions come almost wholly from your father, I do not see how you can entertain this feeling but that it is there has been very apparent, and increasingly so in recent months. Evidently I made a very serious mistake when I allowed you to go to Abbot as a boarder, for the tendency of the authorities there from the start has been to disregard my feelings and desires and arrange your affairs with little, if any, consultation with me. I feel that this is largely at the basis of your present unrest, and if I did not believe that that same influence would continue in a measure from that source, I should recommend with far greater satisfaction the prospects of continued contacts with your old friends there. Regretting deeply the necessity of writing you in just this vein, but in the belief that it is necessary for me to be in a measure severely frank because of the numerous insinuations contained in your recent note, believe me always and with your best interests constantly in my mind, Very sincerely yours, Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/dc6d3f37d2644abe4c946f460cae4b91.jpg ea2ca796cfa50f85f552564fe324a1a1 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/f1492f41739598cfa7eb19879dc80653.jpg 95b39850ade6108d8b94d132cff53d9e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Mary Sun, March 2, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Mary Sun, March 2, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mary Sun. Explains the decision to send her to Whittier was not easy and it was done with her father's wishes and instructions in mind. Will monitor her progress. Questions if Mary should go to college, but believes she should work to meet the entrance requirements. States money for incidentals beyond the monthly allowance will come from Mrs. Russell. Asks Mary to cut back on writing letters to her Abbot friends. States daily letters will distract from school work. Plans to visit when weather permits. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 2, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource March 2, 1926 Miss Mary Sun The Whittier School Merrimac, Massachusetts Dear Mary: I am very grateful to you for your recent note, and especially happy over the cheerier tone in which it is written. I do hope that you will come to understand that the decision to make the change to the Merrimac, school was anything but a pleasant one for me to reach, and that it was made only after long and careful thought, and in the firm conviction that it would best carry out the definite and compelling instructions received from your father. My interest and desire are now, as they have always been, to do for you and the boys that which your father would feel would most nearly achieve for you all the purposes which prompted him to send you to this far-away land, and at such heavy expense and personal sacrifice. I cannot say that I have not at times made mistakes, but if so, they have been mistakes entirely of judgment and not purpose, for the goal that I have had in mind has never changed. I shall watch with interest your work and progress under the new surroundings, and can only hope that you will be able to secure there just the kind of preparation you need to enable you to gain admission, at least, to a good college. Frankly I have some questions in my own mind as to whether you ought to go to college, and I have stated them frankly to your father. On the other hand I am sure that it would mean a lot to him, and to you also, if you could at least meet the college entrance requirements, for then you could tell the world that the college doors were open to you, and that in itself would be a source of real satisfaction to you in years to come. Mrs. Russell will supply you with whatever funds you require for special incidentals over and beyond what can be taken care of by the regular monthly allowances. For the latter I am enclosing the customary chock herewith. One other thing. You really must curtail your output of letters to your friends. It will be utterly impossible for you to concentrate as you must in your studies if you are writing daily letters to your friends and securing a constant flow of letters from them. Do be reasonable about this. Not for the world would I interfere with good friendships; but I know only too well from experience that good work in studies is utterly impossible for those who are too mush interrupted in this way. Just as soon as the roads clear up a bit I shall plan to run over and have a look at you and talk things over. In the meantime accept my very best wishes for health, happiness, and real progress on the main job that is now yours. Always sincerely yours, Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/87baba1cdba190d74c7393d2d306d3be.jpg ec0657d48da1654797a78ad1ebe7779d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Mary Sun, April 21, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Mary Sun, April 21, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mary Sun. Thanks her for the statement of accounts. States Charlie should send the amount Mary loaned to him to keep both accounts current. States that Mary wouldn't be considered an official senior. States she shouldn't have to pay and to explain Mrs. Russell. Explains a certificate or diploma from Merrimac wouldn't mean much. States the goal is preparation for college and the college diploma is the important certificate. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 21, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Manuscripts. Correspondence. Relation A related resource April 21, 1926 Miss Mary Sun Whittier School Merrimac, Mass. Dear Mary: Many thanks for your recent letter and for the statement of accounts. I understand perfectly that the Washington trip was an expensive one at best and see nothing to complain of in the expenditures you have recorded. Charlie, however, ought to send back and I shall ask him to do so, the amount you loaned him so that your two accounts may be kept in proper order. I don’t see any reason why you should appear as an official senior, at least to the extent of having to meet that extra payment for a senior prom. Just tell Mrs. Russell that you do not dance and that, as you are a special student, neither you nor I believe, that you should be called on to assume this added obligation. In view of your short stay at Merrimac, I can’t see that such a certificate or diploma as you might earn there could really be considered of any great value. The main thing is to get ready for college, and of course the college diploma, which we shall count on your taking later, will be the thing that really counts. With every good wish and the hope that I may be able to run over before long and have a look at you, believe me always Sincerely yours, Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/85207c650151357ec60928e88190bf31.jpg 3ac0a85511308cc17c8a7a4d247be4a5 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/a2b6168774da43c723a2ed56be9a0906.jpg 7c204172568188ab91606e9c0d6f19c3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Ellen F. Pendleton, April 3, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Ellen F. Pendleton, April 3, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Ellen F. Pendleton about Mary Sun's education and current situation. Explains Mary was placed in schools based on the expectation she would return to China after high school and not attend college. States her father decided to send her to college, which requires change in schools and additional prep work. States Mary would be unable to take the full list of examinations, but may be able to suceed in subjects outside of languages and mathematics. Asks if there anything Hoyle can do to help. Provides information on Mr. Sun, the father. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 3, 1926 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Phillips Academy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource April 3, 1926 Miss Elle F. Pendleton President, Wellesley College Wellesley, Mass. My dear Miss Pendleton: I am wondering whether there is any way that you can help me out in handling a very perplexing problem that is mine in connection with the American guardianship which I hold of a Chinese girl, Mary Sun of Tientsin, China, whose father has recently decided that she should go to college and has expressed a preference for Wellesley. Here is the situation in a nutshell. Mary Sun and her brothers were placed under my care five years ago. Mary, herself, was only fifteen years old. Her first work was done in the local grammar school. A term at Northfield proved unsuccessful and she war entered as a day scholar at Abbot Academy, continuing to live in my own home. Last year she was placed as a boarder in Abbot and was allowed to take the general course, in which she would naturally have secured her diploma this June. This arrangement was made because of the understanding on my part that Mary was to complete her American education this year and return to China this coming summer. Several rumors having reached me during the early part of the current school year that Mary’s father had changed his mind and might wish her to go to college led me to write Mr. Sun very fully and frankly describing conditions, the character of Mary’s courses of study, etc.. and explaining further that college preparation would mean a complete change of courses and probably school, and asking for explicit instructions as to what was desired. The receipt of this letter prompted a cable message from Mr. Sun reading, only, “prepare Mary for college.” There seemed to be nothing else to do but sever the Abbot Academy connection and put the girl for the balance of the year in a small semi-tutoring school where intensive college preparatory work could be done. This was the course adopted. The girl is now twenty or twenty-one years old, I believe, according to our way of figuring ages, though a year or two older by the Chinese method. Under the circumstances she ought to get to college as soon as possible. Her present teacher tells me that, after a month’s work with her, she believes that, if she can gain admission to college this fall, she could be able to hold her own comfortably, at least if she doesn’t concentrate on languages of mathematics. On the other hand, it would, of course, be wholly impossible to get her ready to take the full list of college entrances examinations by next September, for the course at Abbot did not lead to college admission. Is there anything that you do for a girl in this situation that is not exactly according to Hoyle or advertised in the catalogue? I do not want to ask undue favors, but I do feel that this is very usual case and since a foreigner is involved, one that deserves as much consideration as can possible be given it. Mr. Sun, the father, is a very unusual man. He was formerly a banker in Tientsin but has retired and for the last few years had devoted most of his time to philanthropic work. He is not a professing Christian but is eager, as his letters to me have revealed, that his children should be. In some ways he is a better Christian than many who profess to be. He was head of the Red Cross for China during the War and since then, has served chairman of many flood and famine relief committees. Men who have come here from time to time while these children have been under my care and who have known Mr. Sun in China speak in most vigorous terms of his character and influence. The fact that he has sent four of his children to this country in the hope of giving them something bigger and better than China offered is a fair indication, at least, of his idealism. I am sorry to have pestered you with so much detail, but I must admit that I am tremendously puzzled with the problem which I have on my hands and eager to handle it in the most satisfactory way. At this stage I need help, and hence I turn to you. Please be generous as you can. With kind personal regards, believe me Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Ellen F. Pendleton Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/4041e3461ee12cb1e07ab886c0855a7f.jpg aef12d76e9ae19379bdd9a48ba59f9d4 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/b46c0d7d46795ef9f966b81eaac42981.jpg abd8249d1b71f5f07295e4cc6a4fc2c2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mary Sun, March 8, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mary Sun, March 8, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mary Sun about her correspondence. Explains he wanted the letters withheld to help the adjustment to the new school. Believes the wave of sympathy would prevent her from adjusting and moving on. States in the beginning she was sending so many letters it interfered with schoolwork. States it was not his intention to deprive her of friendship. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 8, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource March 8, 1926 Miss Mary Sun The Whittier School Merrimac, Mass. My dear Mary: Thank you for your good frank letter which I find on my desk this morning on my return from New York. Please understand that the last thing in the world that I want to do is to deprive you of any of your normal friendships and normal wholesome activities. I have only sought to make this change of course and location for you as free as possible from the pain which, at best, I know it must bring you. That is why I felt that it would be vise to curtail, so far as practicable, the Abbot Academy contacts just at the start, at least, so that you might be spared from the wave of sympathy and condolences which I knew would be ready to overwhelm you from that source until you could have become a bit acclimated to the new surroundings and a bit steadier on your own feet. If you are writing no more letters than you say, I haven't a word of criticism to make, but I judged from the first reports that dozens of letters were going from and coming to you and I knew that this meant that it would be impossible for you to give your full attention to your studies or quiet the natural pangs of regret you would experience under the changed conditions. Just so soon as I can get over there we can talk the whole thing over, and I am sure you will fully understand my position and not believe that I have been unduly or unfairly hard on you. Of course I can't tell very much as yet how Miss Russell feels about your work. She has told me over the phone and has written that you were taking hold finely and had shown excellent spirit. Naturally that made me very happy. I want you to be equally frank, too, in telling me just how good you consider the instruction you are getting there. With all good wishes, believe me Faithfully yours Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun