Old Photos (Issue 6)

Author: Compiled by the Press
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-05-01
Features: The content of this book: In 1991, I went to Canada for academic exchange. Upon arriving in Regina, I received a phone call from my old friend, Professor Gerald B. Sperling, the head of the Political Department at the University of Regina, eagerly inviting me to his home to share the joy of his "major discovery." Indeed, as soon as I stepped into the living room, I was captivated by the hundreds of black and white "old photos" presented before me. Looking at these photos, the scenes of China in the 1930s came to life. What a rich historical scene, and what a precious historical collection! Who could have taken so many old photos of China? The photographer's name was William Smith, born in 1907 in Paisley, Scotland. In the mid-1920s, he moved with his family from the UK to Canada. The young Smith was determined to dedicate himself to theology, "Let God rule my life," becoming a devout missionary. In the 1920s, spreading Christianity overseas was still a hot topic for Western church activities, with tens of thousands of missionaries crossing the ocean to the East to spread the gospel. China, as an ancient civilization with a long history, attracted many young missionaries eager for adventure with its unique charm. Smith was fond of the adventurous life and tired of a dull and monotonous existence. In 1927, after hearing two missionaries describe their experiences teaching in China, he developed a strong interest in the country. In his "autobiography," he wrote: "The more I read about China, the more I became fascinated with it. I strongly felt that God was calling me to go to China." On February 28, 1931, he boarded a ship in Vancouver, Canada, landed in Shanghai, and then took a train to Beijing to receive short-term Chinese language training. The Bell and Drum Towers, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the narrow alleys of old Beijing—all fascinated him. Standing on the Great Wall, holding his beloved camera, he gazed at Beijing, "How exciting and thrilling it all was!" By the end of 1931, he was sent by the church to preach in Hunan. In 1933, his girlfriend, Evelyn, came from Canada to Hunan to marry him. They taught in places like Changde and Anxiang in Hunan, and participated in local disaster relief and health care work. They learned to speak Hunanese, made every effort to understand the local customs, and worked hard to adapt to life there.