Letter from Mattie to Clara, December 6, 1876
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Mattie to Clara, December 6, 1876
Subject
Home; Family; Sick; Disease
Description
Mattie describes her home as cozy and housing such vibrant pictures of her family that she feels they are with her. She is ill, but the doctor has said she is getting better. Harriet's cat has become attached to her and won't let the doctor touch her. Nevertheless, she is content with life at the moment and ready to go if God calls her home. She later discusses the marriage of some of the local people she interacts with.
Creator
Kerr, Martha Noyes
Source
The College of Wooster, Special Collections, Noyes Collection, Box #5
Publisher
Unpublished
Date
1876-12-06
Contributor
Council on Library and Information Resources Hidden Special Collections Grant
Rights
Format
PDF
Language
eng (English)
Type
Text
Identifier
noyes_c_cor_498
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Canton, China
Dec 6th /76
My dear Clara
I feel like talking a
[Note: "1918" written in red pen]
little with you this morning wish
you could sit down here wouldn't
we enjoy a chat in this pleasant
little room. Dr Carrow says it cant
be very hard to be sick in such
a cozy place. There is something
more snug and home like about
this house than the other mis-
sion houses and people seem to
enjoy it. It seems so nice in the
morning when I come in to see
all the dear faces looking down
at me from the mantel and I
feel almost as if they could talk to me
especially Father and Mother who hang
so I get an entire front view of them
To night is the Missionary Conference
at Mr Whiteheads. Just 3 years ago
we first met with them in the very
same spot. How short the time
seems and how surprized I should
have been if any one had told me
then in what circumstances this day
would find me. I know now I
depended upon living many years
it never seemed as if I would be
cut down early. But the Lord's will
is mine in the matter so there is
no need or room for lamentation
Mrs Happer is coming over to keep
me company this eve while Lucy
is away and I know I shall enjoy
it so much. She has not been well
for more than a week and I have
missed her visits exceedingly. The
Dr has not been up for 3 days do not
know when I shall see him again
rather a change from 2 or 3 visits each
day isnt it. He says I am a great deal
better. If it were not for pain in
my lungs I would seem like my old
self. Nothing has prevented me from
getting a chair and going out only I
promised I would not until he gave
me permission which is not yet
granted. Our mail will not be here
before Saturday 5 weeks since the
last letter came. Dont you pity us
You must tell Hattie her old cat keeps
me company from morning until
night, following me about like a dog
and lying behind the stove in the mean
time. One day when I was ill he was
on the bed in front of me when the
Dr came and I noticed he sat a little
distance from the bed did not exam
ine my pulse tongue &c as usual
[Written vertically]
but after awhile he said he was afraid of the old fellow. I exclaimed
"What a man afraid of a cat" which induced him to venture an attempt
at feeling the pulse but the minute he touched me puss bristled
up and [--flew--] flew out at him teeth and claws combined actually
would not let him put his hand on me. Sick as I was I laughed
until the tears came, but my friend had to be sent off the bed in
disgrace. The other day a lady called who had a little babe 2 months old
with her and I took the child in my lap when lo the cat got up at
once jumped into the chair walked about pushing this way and that
until I was obliged to put baby down and he forthwith ensconced
himself in the vacant place. To thing such an odd thing would be jeal-
ous. But enough of this. Mr Nevin has gone to Hong Kong has another
attack of vertigo. I do pity him so much. Yesterday the school prayer
meeting was held in my room, the first time I have met with them
for 3 months. My heart does go out in the desire to live longer when I
see these people about me for whom I hoped to labor a long time
but God knows my heart and we know he accepts the motive. Oh Clara
I must tell you what a nice time I have mornings watching the
sun rise Can see it as I lie in bed and am always awake at that
time. The clouds are oh so beautiful. Their golden brightness seem
more like my idea of heaven than any thing else. I thought this morn-
ing how much more lovely it was than if the sky had been free
from clouds, so the shadows in life, the dark clouds, the trials make
the life more beautiful, as the sky is not perfect in that clouds so life
is not perfect without sadness and tears, which bye and bye work out for
us a far more exceeding good eternal weight of glory. To day our dear
AYan is to be married and I can not help constantly thinking and praying
[Continued vertically on the first page]
for her. Poor child no arm but that of the Almighty can help her
the ridicule and persecusion which which falls to her lot. Tell Hattie please
that she expects to live quite
near Na Momg Ki so I hope we
shall not lose sight of her
Ahomg was here the other day, poor
child she is seeing rather hard
times but we hope she will come
back into the fold bye and bye.
AYan and Aquey both want to
go home New Year's do not know
what provision they expect to
make for us during their absence
but no doubt they do. AYan has
grown so much during these 3
years his folks will hardly know
him. At this moment he is
scrubbing around in the hall
never saw a boy who took such
infinite delight in cleaning
wish he could could expend
some of his surplus strength
in mopping your floors &c.
Must close have written
this at one sitting and do not
feel very tired your loving sister
Mattie
中国广州
1876年12 月6 日
我亲爱的克拉拉，
今天早上我很想和你谈谈[注：“1918”用红笔写的]
希望你能坐在这里如果我们不喜欢在这个令人愉快的小房间里聊天的话。
卡罗医生说，
在这样一个舒适的地方生病并不难。
这所房子比其他传教所更舒适和温馨，
人们似乎很喜欢它。
早上进来的时候感觉真好今晚是怀特黑兹先生的传教士大会。
就在 3 年前，
我们在同一个地方第一次见到了他们。
时间看起来多么短暂，
如果有人告诉我，
那一天会在什么情况下找到我，
我会感到多么惊讶。
我现在知道我要活很多年了，
好像我从来没有过早被砍掉。
但在这件事上主的旨意是我的，
所以没有必要也没有哀悼的余地，
哈珀夫人今晚会过来陪我，
而露西不在，
我知道我会非常享受它。
她已经有一个多星期没有好转了，
我非常想念她的来访。
博士已经 3 天没有起床了，
不知道我什么时候才能再见到他，
而不是每天 2 或 3 次访问的变化，
不是吗。
他说我好多了。
如果不是因为我的肺部疼痛，
我会看起来像以前的自己。
没有什么能阻止我得到一张椅子出去，
只有我保证我不会，
直到他给了我尚未批准的许可。
自上一封信寄出后的 5 周后，
我们的邮件将不会在星期六之前到达。
不要可怜我们，
你必须告诉海蒂，
她的老猫从早到晚一直陪伴着我，
像狗一样跟着我，
同时躺在炉子后面。
有一天我生病的时候，
当医生来的时候，
他在我面前的床上，
我注意到他坐在离床有点远的地方，
没有像往常一样检查我的脉搏舌等等
[垂直书写]，
但过了一会儿他说他害怕老家伙。
我惊呼“男人真怕猫”，
这让他冒险尝试摸摸我的脉搏，
但他一摸我，
猫就竖起来飞了出去，
牙齿和爪子结合在一起，
居然不让他把手放在我身上.我病得很重，
我一直笑到眼泪都出来了，
但我的朋友不得不丢脸地被赶下床。
有一天，
一位女士打电话给她，
她带着一个 2 个月大的小宝贝，
我把孩子抱在腿上，
猫立刻起身跳到椅子上，
左右推来推去，
直到我不得不把孩子下来，
他立即在空旷的地方安顿下来。
遇到这种奇怪的事情会嫉妒。
但这足够了。
内文先生已经去香港又发作了眩晕。
我实在是太可怜他了。
昨天学校祷告会在我的房间里举行，
这是我三个月来第一次见到他们。
当我看到这些我希望为他们工作很长时间的人时，
我的心确实渴望活得更久，
但上帝知道我的心，
我们知道他接受了这个动机。
哦，
克拉拉，
我必须告诉你我有多么美好的时光，
早上看着太阳升起 当我躺在床上时可以看到它，
而且那时我总是醒着的。
云朵太美了它们的金色光芒似乎更像我对天堂的看法，
而不是其他任何东西。
今天早上我想，
这比没有云的天空要可爱得多，
所以生活中的阴影，
乌云，
考验使生活更加美好，
因为天空在云中并不完美，
所以没有悲伤和眼泪的生活是不完美的，
它们会为我们带来更美好的永恒荣耀。
今天我们亲爱的AYan要结婚了，
我不禁为她不断地思考和祈祷[在第一页垂直继续]。
可怜的孩子，
只有全能者的手臂才能帮助她摆脱落到她身上的嘲笑和迫害。
请告诉海蒂，
她希望住在 Na Momg Ki 附近，
所以我希望我们不要忘记她 Ahomg 前几天在这里，
可怜的孩子，
她正经历着相当艰难的时期，
但我们希望她能回来再见，
再见。
AYan 和 Aquey 都想回家过年，
不知道他们希望在他们不在的时候为我们准备什么，
但毫无疑问他们会这样做。
在这三年里，
AYan 成长了很多，
他的家人几乎不会认识他。
此刻他正在大厅里擦洗，
从来没有见过一个男孩如此热衷于打扫卫生，
希望他能消耗一些多余的力气来拖地板等。
一定要关闭 一口气写了这个，
感觉不太好累了你亲爱的妹妹玛蒂
Dec 6th /76
My dear Clara
I feel like talking a
[Note: "1918" written in red pen]
little with you this morning wish
you could sit down here wouldn't
we enjoy a chat in this pleasant
little room. Dr Carrow says it cant
be very hard to be sick in such
a cozy place. There is something
more snug and home like about
this house than the other mis-
sion houses and people seem to
enjoy it. It seems so nice in the
morning when I come in to see
all the dear faces looking down
at me from the mantel and I
feel almost as if they could talk to me
especially Father and Mother who hang
so I get an entire front view of them
To night is the Missionary Conference
at Mr Whiteheads. Just 3 years ago
we first met with them in the very
same spot. How short the time
seems and how surprized I should
have been if any one had told me
then in what circumstances this day
would find me. I know now I
depended upon living many years
it never seemed as if I would be
cut down early. But the Lord's will
is mine in the matter so there is
no need or room for lamentation
Mrs Happer is coming over to keep
me company this eve while Lucy
is away and I know I shall enjoy
it so much. She has not been well
for more than a week and I have
missed her visits exceedingly. The
Dr has not been up for 3 days do not
know when I shall see him again
rather a change from 2 or 3 visits each
day isnt it. He says I am a great deal
better. If it were not for pain in
my lungs I would seem like my old
self. Nothing has prevented me from
getting a chair and going out only I
promised I would not until he gave
me permission which is not yet
granted. Our mail will not be here
before Saturday 5 weeks since the
last letter came. Dont you pity us
You must tell Hattie her old cat keeps
me company from morning until
night, following me about like a dog
and lying behind the stove in the mean
time. One day when I was ill he was
on the bed in front of me when the
Dr came and I noticed he sat a little
distance from the bed did not exam
ine my pulse tongue &c as usual
[Written vertically]
but after awhile he said he was afraid of the old fellow. I exclaimed
"What a man afraid of a cat" which induced him to venture an attempt
at feeling the pulse but the minute he touched me puss bristled
up and [--flew--] flew out at him teeth and claws combined actually
would not let him put his hand on me. Sick as I was I laughed
until the tears came, but my friend had to be sent off the bed in
disgrace. The other day a lady called who had a little babe 2 months old
with her and I took the child in my lap when lo the cat got up at
once jumped into the chair walked about pushing this way and that
until I was obliged to put baby down and he forthwith ensconced
himself in the vacant place. To thing such an odd thing would be jeal-
ous. But enough of this. Mr Nevin has gone to Hong Kong has another
attack of vertigo. I do pity him so much. Yesterday the school prayer
meeting was held in my room, the first time I have met with them
for 3 months. My heart does go out in the desire to live longer when I
see these people about me for whom I hoped to labor a long time
but God knows my heart and we know he accepts the motive. Oh Clara
I must tell you what a nice time I have mornings watching the
sun rise Can see it as I lie in bed and am always awake at that
time. The clouds are oh so beautiful. Their golden brightness seem
more like my idea of heaven than any thing else. I thought this morn-
ing how much more lovely it was than if the sky had been free
from clouds, so the shadows in life, the dark clouds, the trials make
the life more beautiful, as the sky is not perfect in that clouds so life
is not perfect without sadness and tears, which bye and bye work out for
us a far more exceeding good eternal weight of glory. To day our dear
AYan is to be married and I can not help constantly thinking and praying
[Continued vertically on the first page]
for her. Poor child no arm but that of the Almighty can help her
the ridicule and persecusion which which falls to her lot. Tell Hattie please
that she expects to live quite
near Na Momg Ki so I hope we
shall not lose sight of her
Ahomg was here the other day, poor
child she is seeing rather hard
times but we hope she will come
back into the fold bye and bye.
AYan and Aquey both want to
go home New Year's do not know
what provision they expect to
make for us during their absence
but no doubt they do. AYan has
grown so much during these 3
years his folks will hardly know
him. At this moment he is
scrubbing around in the hall
never saw a boy who took such
infinite delight in cleaning
wish he could could expend
some of his surplus strength
in mopping your floors &c.
Must close have written
this at one sitting and do not
feel very tired your loving sister
Mattie
中国广州
1876年12 月6 日
我亲爱的克拉拉，
今天早上我很想和你谈谈[注：“1918”用红笔写的]
希望你能坐在这里如果我们不喜欢在这个令人愉快的小房间里聊天的话。
卡罗医生说，
在这样一个舒适的地方生病并不难。
这所房子比其他传教所更舒适和温馨，
人们似乎很喜欢它。
早上进来的时候感觉真好今晚是怀特黑兹先生的传教士大会。
就在 3 年前，
我们在同一个地方第一次见到了他们。
时间看起来多么短暂，
如果有人告诉我，
那一天会在什么情况下找到我，
我会感到多么惊讶。
我现在知道我要活很多年了，
好像我从来没有过早被砍掉。
但在这件事上主的旨意是我的，
所以没有必要也没有哀悼的余地，
哈珀夫人今晚会过来陪我，
而露西不在，
我知道我会非常享受它。
她已经有一个多星期没有好转了，
我非常想念她的来访。
博士已经 3 天没有起床了，
不知道我什么时候才能再见到他，
而不是每天 2 或 3 次访问的变化，
不是吗。
他说我好多了。
如果不是因为我的肺部疼痛，
我会看起来像以前的自己。
没有什么能阻止我得到一张椅子出去，
只有我保证我不会，
直到他给了我尚未批准的许可。
自上一封信寄出后的 5 周后，
我们的邮件将不会在星期六之前到达。
不要可怜我们，
你必须告诉海蒂，
她的老猫从早到晚一直陪伴着我，
像狗一样跟着我，
同时躺在炉子后面。
有一天我生病的时候，
当医生来的时候，
他在我面前的床上，
我注意到他坐在离床有点远的地方，
没有像往常一样检查我的脉搏舌等等
[垂直书写]，
但过了一会儿他说他害怕老家伙。
我惊呼“男人真怕猫”，
这让他冒险尝试摸摸我的脉搏，
但他一摸我，
猫就竖起来飞了出去，
牙齿和爪子结合在一起，
居然不让他把手放在我身上.我病得很重，
我一直笑到眼泪都出来了，
但我的朋友不得不丢脸地被赶下床。
有一天，
一位女士打电话给她，
她带着一个 2 个月大的小宝贝，
我把孩子抱在腿上，
猫立刻起身跳到椅子上，
左右推来推去，
直到我不得不把孩子下来，
他立即在空旷的地方安顿下来。
遇到这种奇怪的事情会嫉妒。
但这足够了。
内文先生已经去香港又发作了眩晕。
我实在是太可怜他了。
昨天学校祷告会在我的房间里举行，
这是我三个月来第一次见到他们。
当我看到这些我希望为他们工作很长时间的人时，
我的心确实渴望活得更久，
但上帝知道我的心，
我们知道他接受了这个动机。
哦，
克拉拉，
我必须告诉你我有多么美好的时光，
早上看着太阳升起 当我躺在床上时可以看到它，
而且那时我总是醒着的。
云朵太美了它们的金色光芒似乎更像我对天堂的看法，
而不是其他任何东西。
今天早上我想，
这比没有云的天空要可爱得多，
所以生活中的阴影，
乌云，
考验使生活更加美好，
因为天空在云中并不完美，
所以没有悲伤和眼泪的生活是不完美的，
它们会为我们带来更美好的永恒荣耀。
今天我们亲爱的AYan要结婚了，
我不禁为她不断地思考和祈祷[在第一页垂直继续]。
可怜的孩子，
只有全能者的手臂才能帮助她摆脱落到她身上的嘲笑和迫害。
请告诉海蒂，
她希望住在 Na Momg Ki 附近，
所以我希望我们不要忘记她 Ahomg 前几天在这里，
可怜的孩子，
她正经历着相当艰难的时期，
但我们希望她能回来再见，
再见。
AYan 和 Aquey 都想回家过年，
不知道他们希望在他们不在的时候为我们准备什么，
但毫无疑问他们会这样做。
在这三年里，
AYan 成长了很多，
他的家人几乎不会认识他。
此刻他正在大厅里擦洗，
从来没有见过一个男孩如此热衷于打扫卫生，
希望他能消耗一些多余的力气来拖地板等。
一定要关闭 一口气写了这个，
感觉不太好累了你亲爱的妹妹玛蒂
Original Format
Letter
Collection
Citation
Kerr, Martha Noyes, “Letter from Mattie to Clara, December 6, 1876,” Letters from Harriet Noyes: Missionaries and Women's Education in Nineteenth Century China, accessed April 26, 2024, https://noyesletters.org/items/show/552.