Anna V. Blough letter to Ida and Elmer, April 23, 1914

              Ping Ting Hsien, Shansi, China
23 April 1914

Dear Ida and Elmer: -

Just when your school closes I do not know. But I hop this reaches y u yet at the Mount. At this 
time as I am writing I am sure you are havein the beauties of nature open up to you as it has every 
preceeding year there. I know you enjoy them and will make good use of them. That little town 
is so very pretty when nature begins to take on her vernal dress. It used to inspire me so much. 
But the thing that I am thankful for is that that is not the only place of such nature. If you could 
only stand with me on some of our prominent points such as The South Heavenly Gate about two 
miles fro here onthe way to the station you would say that Ogle Co. could not compare. It is 
surely wonderful but thy say it is more so between he e and Liaoo Hsien and I hope to pass over 
that road sometime. You know I enjoy such things so much. If we find so little in this people 
toinspire us higher, we need but turn our eyes out to the hills to see that the God whom we have 
worshipped in the old church and home is surrounding us with his great works of nature. To me 
Nature is a witness of His presence.

As this reaches you, Not only your years work will be closing up but your four years work will 
close. I know something of the pleasure as well as the hidden sorrows when you realize that 
those who have been at your side so long are to scatter out, some to meet occasionaly some to 
grow cold in your interests, some to never see again and yet perhaps some, and best of all to walk 
beside you the rest of your day

This is to be my letter of congratulation to you both. I am so glad that you can accomplish this 
step in knowledge. I congratulate you on it. I am sure neither of you have ever made a grade that 
is a discredit. And in many things you have done exceptionally well. You both have intellects 
that are capable of going far beyond anything I have ever done. Yes, an intellect as either of you 
have would greatly increase my efficiency here, for I am only a slow plodder, yet I must not 
question the wisdom of my Creator in making me thus.

I am sure neither of you feel over elated in finishing this little bucket full of the worlds ocean of 
knowledge. It seems to me that as time goes on I can lookout into distance that only doubles and 
triple itself each year of unattained knowledgr and my own significance diminishes in like 
manner. Were I to say what the motto of my life is I think it would be this, �Always a learner�. 
This means that one is not content with present knowledge and attainment, a confession of 
humbleness. On the other hand it means a heart that is open togreater truth asthe Heavenly will 
reveal it,, a willing hear to leave our present state for higher planes with the recognition of power 
higher than ourselves. Then the motive of my life comes in to use this knowledge and love to 
glorify God in the hi hest possible manne

My wish for you both is that the work you are no completing will fit you for some useful place in 
life, help you to find it and to fill it. I have great hopes for you both. I believe in you.

And asyou step out from thence, do not let the changing scenes to sadden you over much, for a 
life well lived always finds it Better on Before. New joys will come to you. Taking on 
responsibility means too the taking on of new joys.

I wish I could m et the ones that are your friends there. I should like to know them.

Ida, birth day wishes go with this. And to you both go the very best wishes of your ssister in 
China,

Anna V. Blough

I feel very happy just of late am beginning to understand what is said around me. Can talk only a 
little.

Last night a baby girl was born to Bro. Vanimans.