Letter from Shaw Loo to Stuart Elper '21
Post Box 143
Moulmein, Burma
Feb. 21, 1922
My dear Mr. Epler,
I have received many of your letters for which many thanks. You have kept me in touch with the Bucknell University and I thank you greatly for sending me the views of the University which brought back “Dear Memories” of my younger days spent there. I also receive from the University “The Bucknell Alumni Monthly” and I am so very glad to know that the Alumni Association is progressing and my earnest prayer always is that it may grow more and more every day.
It was my birthday on the 2nd instant. I have completed my eighty-third year. On the 3rd I had my photograph taken and I herewith enclose a copy for yourself and am sending an extra one for the Alumni. I would like to send one to Mr. Griffin, Lamar, Mo., but I do not know if he is still living as I have not heard from him for such a long time.
I remember Professor Bliss’ son, Major-General Bliss in the U.S. Army. When I was at Lewisburg he was quite a little boy. He used to call out to me every morning and evening when I passed by his house to go into town for my meals. I am proud to know that he has become a great man and served in the Great European War. Two of my grandsons also served in the way and one was killed in action at Mespot, and the other has returned. In fact, three as the last one was too young and was only in training at Madras, in India.
I am still able to practice my profession by the Grace of God and often go about to the districts to preach the gospel to the heathens and also preach to my patients at the dispensary when they come to be treated.
Last Sunday our pastor was away at Savoy for the Annual Baptist Convention and he requested me to take the pulpit. My text was First John 4:14 – And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the World. The congregation consists of school children, about 500 in number, boarders only from the A.B.M. Girls’ and Boys’ School and Christian families from Moulmein. The Christian Schools are growing and we have no room to take in more boarders. A railway is being constructed from Moulmein to Ye and I think it will be completed by next year. I hope that some day you may get a chance of seeing Burma, called the Land of Pagodas.
I have a big son working as a Doctor in the Burma Railways, Rangoon. He is married a second time and has no children. He is thirty years old. My second daughter died at Rangoon about a month ago. She was working at the A.S. Mission Press and was unmarried. My youngest daughter is with me and she is a school mistress at the Government High School, here. I had ten children-five sons and five daughters, and the Lord has taken four away. My health is usually good, by the Grace of God. I have a good appetite and I sleep well. My great desire is to visit America and I hope God will help me to do so. My wife unites with me in sending our kindest regards to self and friends in America.
Your Brother in Christ,
M. Shaw Loo, M.D., ‘64