Letter from Arthur G. Robinson, International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations, New York, to Alfred E. Stearns, September 17, 1920
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Arthur G. Robinson, International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations, New York, to Alfred E. Stearns, September 17, 1920
Subject
Letter from Arthur G. Robinson, International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations, New York, to Alfred E. Stearns, September 17, 1920
Transcription
Dear Mr. Stearns:
It is my pleasure to write you regarding the coming to Andover of five Chinese students from Tientsin, China. They are boys whom I have known for four years and whose fathers I have known very well nearly as long. They come from very fine Chinese homes and I am very eager on account of my relationship with their fathers, especially as well as on account of my interest in the boys, to see that they have the happiest sort of introduction to our American school life.
From two of the boys’ father I had a letter about their coming, which I shall be glad to show you. Originally he had left the matter of their education partly in my hands, but made an unexpectedly sudden decision to send the boys this year, and I do not know what led him to choose Andover. Last April I left Tientsin where I have been in Young Men’s Christian Association work for the last five years, and was not prepared for their coming so soon. It is good to know that they are going to such a splendid academy as yours.
My home used to be in Waterville, Maine, and you can imagine how proud I am to have them come to New England and to such a fine old school as Andover. I should be very glad indeed if you would write me as to what you have heard regarding their coming, and want to help to get them situated there with you. You can hardly understand, I believe, how much these personal relationships mean to the people in the Orient, especially in China. My relations with these boys' fathers have been particularly intimate and close. I feel I must do everything in my power to help them and I hope you will pardon anything that seems like an intrusion on my part.
Mr. Sun wrote me that the boys were all to be placed in fine Christian homes. He and I had many talks about this matter of the boys’ life in this country and I hope that his idea has been carried out with regard to their living there at Andover. If I go with them from here I believe I shall be able to give some assistance in Andover to such homes as may be opened to them or in helping you to understand some adjustments that may be necessary.
Hoping that you will understand my interest and the motives that prompt my seeming intrusion into affairs that you perhaps would first think out of my province.
It is my pleasure to write you regarding the coming to Andover of five Chinese students from Tientsin, China. They are boys whom I have known for four years and whose fathers I have known very well nearly as long. They come from very fine Chinese homes and I am very eager on account of my relationship with their fathers, especially as well as on account of my interest in the boys, to see that they have the happiest sort of introduction to our American school life.
From two of the boys’ father I had a letter about their coming, which I shall be glad to show you. Originally he had left the matter of their education partly in my hands, but made an unexpectedly sudden decision to send the boys this year, and I do not know what led him to choose Andover. Last April I left Tientsin where I have been in Young Men’s Christian Association work for the last five years, and was not prepared for their coming so soon. It is good to know that they are going to such a splendid academy as yours.
My home used to be in Waterville, Maine, and you can imagine how proud I am to have them come to New England and to such a fine old school as Andover. I should be very glad indeed if you would write me as to what you have heard regarding their coming, and want to help to get them situated there with you. You can hardly understand, I believe, how much these personal relationships mean to the people in the Orient, especially in China. My relations with these boys' fathers have been particularly intimate and close. I feel I must do everything in my power to help them and I hope you will pardon anything that seems like an intrusion on my part.
Mr. Sun wrote me that the boys were all to be placed in fine Christian homes. He and I had many talks about this matter of the boys’ life in this country and I hope that his idea has been carried out with regard to their living there at Andover. If I go with them from here I believe I shall be able to give some assistance in Andover to such homes as may be opened to them or in helping you to understand some adjustments that may be necessary.
Hoping that you will understand my interest and the motives that prompt my seeming intrusion into affairs that you perhaps would first think out of my province.
Creator
Arthur G. Robinson
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
September 17, 1920
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence