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Mimeographed Letter Signed from an American Missionary in China Regarding Continued Contributions Despite the Chinese Civil War and Forwarding a Lucky-Charm Woodblock Print

1928réf. 6054Shanghai China: February 24 1928. Very good. 1p. plus colored woodblock print 21.5 x 12.5 inches. With original envelope. Old folds minor wear. Mimeographed fundraising letter sent by Reverend H.G.C. Hallock to a supporter in Vermont. Henry Galloway Comingo Hallock 1870-1951 was a West Virginia native who studied at Princeton Theological Seminary. He moved to China as a Presbyterian missionary and teacher in 1905 where he taught Sunday School served as a pastor and also taught theology at St. John's University in Shanghai. He survived war disease famine and a Japanese prison during World War II; he died in China in 1951. One thing that set Hallock apart was his inclusion of local Chinese woodblock prints with his fundraising letters which today have become desirable collectibles. Such a print is present here showing the God of War Wu-ti. His letter opens discussing the print: "Wars in China suggest sending you 'Wu-ti' the Chinese god-of-war. . The general idea about Wu-ti is that he delights in war. That is not the Chinese idea of him. . Officials and scholars worship him as the ideal of loyalty soldiers do it to make them brave and protect them in battle and the people worship him to protect them from war's horrors. He's called 'Peace Bringer Protector Great God of Loyalty.' But he makes not peace nor protects nor makes loyal so is a failure. He's also called 'Warrior Prince.' As to that name he's a great success! There are lots of wars." He goes on to discuss the many conflicts which are like "a real Chinese puzzle" noting that it's not the people of China who are at issue or fault. "Recently I have received letters from America suggesting that since 'China has altogether gone to the bad and the Chinese are absolutely impossible' and since our 'work among them has gone for nothing' then I should 'quit and come home.' I hope you don't think thus. The masses of Chinese tho reminding me of 'dumb driven cattle' are still friendly as ever. The war-lords the Nationalists the Reds the bandits wars and evil propaganda are disturbing elements; but they are NOT China nor the Chinese. . The troubles in China have come from a fiercely aggressive and 'noisy minority' who make the great mass of Chinese suffer untold hardships." He goes on to defend the Christian work being done in China as of great benefit to the people. February 24 unknown books