Dear Bro. Graves,
I have just returned from the ship on which Bro. [Jehu L.] Shuck and children have taken passage for the United States. We had a very sad and melancholy parting - a parting that flowed with tears. Bro. Shuck has been many years an indefatigable laborer for the conversion of China. He has many ties and many interests here. He leaves the graves of two devoted and excellent companions among the rest. His trials are like the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. Nothing but a sense of duty, in my judgment, could ever have induced him to leave his field, even for a month. He was so much interested in and devoted to his work - such zeal as he manifested, is seldom seen.
That it is his duty to take his children to America and provide for their proper training, is perfectly evident to the minds of all with whom I have conversed on the subject; indeed it is a plain case of duty and necessity. May God bless him and his little ones, is my devout prayer.
I wish I could cease here and tell of the departure of no one else of our small number. On the 8th of this month, we had to be with our dear Bro. Dr. [G. W.] Burton for the same destination. The cause of his departure was different from that of Bro. Shuck's case, but equally necessary and painful. - Thus within two weeks of each other, we have had to bid adieu to the senior and junior of our little number. How severely the Lord doth sometimes chasten us; but it is for our profit, and will work for his glory. In June last, Dr. Burton had a severe attack of illness, which affected his brain most severely - at one time his physician and all his friends despaired of his life. He has never since recovered, and it was thought by his physician that he never could in this climate - so he advised his return for a season. His passage is free to the mission, and Dr. Burton is to return as soon as he is well and able. Dr. Burton had begun a good work, but was cut short in the midst of it.
I have no more room, but to add that our health is excellent.
[From the Tennessee Baptist, April 23, 1853, p. 1. CD edition from M/F. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
For the Tennessee Baptist
Shanghi, China, November 22, 1852.
Yours,
T. P. Crawford.
More on China Baptist Missions
Baptist History Homepage