Kiukiang, China.

Aug. 10th, 1874

My Dear Sister:

Your letter of June 8th came to hand by the last mail.

My health has not been of the best order since my return from Peking, dyspepsia and biliousness being my principal complaints. I have fallen away many pounds, and consequently am not nearly so fleshy as when I left home. But I find that by properly regulating my diet, I get along all right; besides I can go out to the Mountains whenever I wish and recuperate, and it seems like a change to another climate. I expect to go out to-morrow morning, for a four days' stay at the Temple of Kiu Fung. The name does not mean Nine Winds, as I said by mistake in the Advocate, but Nine Peaks (the word is about the same in Chinese), and I can have a delightful time roaming about these peaks. I take a lot of books with me, and my Chinese teacher, and so have just the same opportunities there for studying that I have here, without the various distractions and interruptions which I have in Kiukiang.

It will be news to you to know that Bro. Ing has resigned (being led to take this step by a really providential train of circumstances of recent date), and that he is just on the eve of his return to his "beloved fatherland," the United States. He has a sale of furniture this afternoon. The day he leaves will be the brightest this Mission has seen for years, and I sometimes think the angels in heaven will rejoice over his departure. These words will naturally seem very strong to one who is not aware how much the harmony & prosperity of the Mission has suffered during his presence here. I am quite sure there is not such another missionary in heathendom -- at least I hope there is not. His home is in Missouri, and there is no danger of his fame as a Methodist preacher ever reaching Ohio. Since his resignation our Mission has been a unit on all subjects of discussion brought up, and we do not apprehend the slightest difficulty in the future in our relations with the Superintendent who has long ago secured our perfect confidence and esteem, and the warmest affections of our hearts. We are expecting a re-enforcement shortly in the arrival of Bro. H. H. Hall, who went to America 18 mos. ago for his health, and is now supposed to be on his way back, with a helpmeet by his side. Also we look for Miss Mason, M.D., sent out by the W.F.M.S., who will probably be with us by the time you get this letter. Bro. H. H. Lowry, of the Peking Mission, will in all probability go home next year for his wife's health; and as he is a member of the Ohio Conference, you will very likely see a good deal about him in the Advocate. There are some other members of the Peking Mission who may also have to go home to recruit their health.