In no unmistakable way did the Lord lead us in the purchase of a mountain property on Mokanshan. This mountain has been used for twelve years by the missionaries of the neighboring district as a place of refuge from the scorching heat of the tropical summers. It is situated 145 miles southwest of Shanghai, in the province of Che-kiang. The mountain is very accessible from Shanghai by both steam launch and railway. At present the distance can be covered in seventeen hours, and it is hoped that shortly the time will be reduced to ten hours. Our workers first went to this mountain instead of returning to the home land when ill; and as the exhilarating climate proved a blessing to the sick, we decided to purchase three acres of land having on it a five-room cottage. The total purchase price did not exceed $850 in United States currency.
The following season (1909) the summer found a number of our brethren in the field disabled, owing to sickness. These were invited to take advantage of the healthful conditions found here, and without exception the expectations of every one were more than realized. Two rooms were added to the cottage, and a two-story stone structure was erected for bath- and treatment-rooms. The top floor is for the exclusive use of women, and the lower floor for men. These bath-rooms are after the plan of those usually found in our sanitariums. The building is situated near a beautiful little mountain stream, whose waters are divided so as to throw a part of the stream on either side of the house, thus giving a cool effect.
THE TWO-STORY TREATMENT-ROOMS AT MOKANSHAN
This season an additional piece of land with several good building locations for cottages was purchased. On this plot is found the beautiful Mokanshan cascade, a precipice over which flows the water from all the springs on the habitable portion of the mountain. The drop is about one hundred feet. This fall will be very convenient, as an electric motor can be attached to a water-wheel propelled by the force of the falling water, thus giving us, at little cost, electricity for use in electric-light cabinets and other medical appliances. The total purchase price of this plot, including about three acres, was $250.
There was another desirable piece of land, having two springs and a fine location for a main building; but we learned that the owner had refused to sell. We approached him regarding the matter, and he replied by asking a price that indicated that he was not anxious to part with it. As we neared the Chinese new year, however, which is a good time to purchase property here, we renewed negotiations.
SABRATH-KEEPERS AT MOKANSHAN IN MIDSUMMER
This last purchase gives us about ten acres altogether, by which we control the falls, and have two beautiful little mountain streams of clear water running through our land, and joining just before passing over the bluff. As regards its picturesque situation and adaptation for a hydropathic health retreat, it is the best and only suitable place on the mountain. Why it has been left all these years unoccupied, is a mystery to some, but to us it seems clear that it was held in reservation for us. Various members of the mission family have built cottages on this land. A small chapel has also been erected, where religious services are conducted daily. Adjoining it is a Chinese dispensary, where a number of persons receive treatment every day. At this writing we have just completed the installation of a plant for heating water, which is supplied by a reservoir elevated one hundred fifty feet above the treatment-rooms. This furnishes plenty of hot and cold water under sufficient pressure for sprays and other treatments. The reservoir is fed by a large spring on our own land.
This mountain truly is like an oasis in a desert. Our land, as well as the whole mountain, is covered with a dense growth of bamboo, through which are numerous walks in almost every direction. These, being shaded nearly all the time, make exercise a pleasant recreation. The altitude of two thousand feet, while not so high as to give trouble to those suffering from heart-disease, or make the place inconvenient to reach, is still sufficiently high to affect the temperature so that the nights are cool and pleasant. A good breeze is usually stirring all the time, and from the mountain we have a fine perspective. The near view is one of terraced rice-fields and Chinese villages and waterways, while in the distance the bay of Hanchow can be seen10in one direction and a lake in the opposite. On clear days the ocean may be seen, and its breezes always reach us. While all these things are a striking contrast to the steaming plains below, perhaps that which is most appreciated is the clear, sparkling spring water, on which one often hears the children comment, ‘Why, you can drink this water without boiling it!’ To those accustomed to cool well water the year around, it can hardly be appreciated what a trial it is to drink tepid boiled water twelve months in the year.
There is no crowding together on the hill, a grove of bamboo separating the different houses. Here we enjoy a quietude and freedom which are never to be found on the plains, and which are very restful to the overstrained nerves of the missionary. We indeed feel thankful for Mokanshan, and for the benefits received from the short time spent in comfort on the hill.
