Letter from Arthur G. Robinson, National Council of the Young Men's Christian Associations (YMCA), New York, to Alfred E. Stearns, September 11, 1926
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Arthur G. Robinson, National Council of the Young Men's Christian Associations (YMCA), New York, to Alfred E. Stearns, September 11, 1926
Subject
Letter from Arthur G. Robinson, National Council of the Young Men's Christian Associations (YMCA), New York, to Alfred E. Stearns, September 11, 1926
Transcription
Dear Dr. Stearns:
It was very good to get your letter of September 6th confirming my understanding of the arrangements regarding Mary Sun. Anticipating this I went up to Elmira on Tuesday of this week and had a most successful visit there with people who might be interested in her case. I had preceded my arrival with letters to the general Secretary of the Y.M.C.A. there so that he could at once refer me to families that might make a home for Mary.
This trip to Elmira had to be taken on that particular day due to other engagements here in New York. I had hoped to have a letter to you prior to my going, but in the absence of your letter I took a chance on making tentative arrangements there. Everything now has worked out as well as we could hope and I shall at once write to Mrs. Eli Pitman, asking her for an estimate of charges for board, etc., which I shall send to you as soon as I hear from her.
Just a word about this Pitman family. Dr. Eli Pitman is a District Superintendent of the Methodist Church. The Pitmans formerly lived in Elmira. At that time he was Pastor of a local church. They came back to Elmira after some years of absence to make their home there and work out from there into the district for which he is responsible. Mrs. Pitman is the mother of six children, three of them grown daughters. One is a missionary to China, the other two will be living in Elmira this year. The youngest with her husband will be there in the home so that at times when Mrs. Pitman will be away her daughter will be in charge of the household. The Pitmans are of English extraction which seemed to me to provide a broader attitude with regard to the Chinese. Their daughter being a missionary to China also gives them a sympathetic attitude and altogether the home environment and Mrs. Pitman’s personality would give Mary a much better place than I had hope to find. At this time perhaps I do not need to say more about the Pitmans. Upon hearing from Mrs. Pitman as to the matter of expenses, I shall write you and then you and Mary can work out a budget that will meet the case.
Just now I ought to know as soon as possible what further steps I ought to arrange for in getting Mary settled at Elmira. I am wondering if one of her brothers will come on with her and go up there, or whether I ought to meet her here in New York and accompany her to Elmira. I have to leave the East for St. Louis not later than the nineteenth and have certain dates in Pennsylvania to arrange for before then. My sister, who lives in Portland about sixty miles from Elmira, has not begun her Fall work yet, and I have been thinking that she might help to meet Mary and get her settled. If Arthur or Charlie could come on, I suppose that would be best of all. I have written Arthur but have heard nothing from him. I understand that Elmira College opens September 21st.
Thank you for your very full comment on Arthur’s attitude. At some later time I hope we can talk things over at some length.
Cordially yours,
It was very good to get your letter of September 6th confirming my understanding of the arrangements regarding Mary Sun. Anticipating this I went up to Elmira on Tuesday of this week and had a most successful visit there with people who might be interested in her case. I had preceded my arrival with letters to the general Secretary of the Y.M.C.A. there so that he could at once refer me to families that might make a home for Mary.
This trip to Elmira had to be taken on that particular day due to other engagements here in New York. I had hoped to have a letter to you prior to my going, but in the absence of your letter I took a chance on making tentative arrangements there. Everything now has worked out as well as we could hope and I shall at once write to Mrs. Eli Pitman, asking her for an estimate of charges for board, etc., which I shall send to you as soon as I hear from her.
Just a word about this Pitman family. Dr. Eli Pitman is a District Superintendent of the Methodist Church. The Pitmans formerly lived in Elmira. At that time he was Pastor of a local church. They came back to Elmira after some years of absence to make their home there and work out from there into the district for which he is responsible. Mrs. Pitman is the mother of six children, three of them grown daughters. One is a missionary to China, the other two will be living in Elmira this year. The youngest with her husband will be there in the home so that at times when Mrs. Pitman will be away her daughter will be in charge of the household. The Pitmans are of English extraction which seemed to me to provide a broader attitude with regard to the Chinese. Their daughter being a missionary to China also gives them a sympathetic attitude and altogether the home environment and Mrs. Pitman’s personality would give Mary a much better place than I had hope to find. At this time perhaps I do not need to say more about the Pitmans. Upon hearing from Mrs. Pitman as to the matter of expenses, I shall write you and then you and Mary can work out a budget that will meet the case.
Just now I ought to know as soon as possible what further steps I ought to arrange for in getting Mary settled at Elmira. I am wondering if one of her brothers will come on with her and go up there, or whether I ought to meet her here in New York and accompany her to Elmira. I have to leave the East for St. Louis not later than the nineteenth and have certain dates in Pennsylvania to arrange for before then. My sister, who lives in Portland about sixty miles from Elmira, has not begun her Fall work yet, and I have been thinking that she might help to meet Mary and get her settled. If Arthur or Charlie could come on, I suppose that would be best of all. I have written Arthur but have heard nothing from him. I understand that Elmira College opens September 21st.
Thank you for your very full comment on Arthur’s attitude. At some later time I hope we can talk things over at some length.
Cordially yours,
Creator
Arthur G. Robinson
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
September 11, 1926
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence