Reynolds writes to Carleton President James W. Strong right after his retirement and asks for a letter recommendation. Here is Reynolds’s first mention of her desire to join Mr. Newell (soon-to-be her husband) in Foochow. This is also the only letter we have describing how Reynolds and Newell first met on the S.S. China.

Dear Pres. Strong – 

You already know of my desire to go into missionary work proper, but since I made that decision I have had another one to make for a very nice you man who came over in the same steamer with me – has since written me a letter and asked me to come and do missionary work with him in FooChow. Do you remember the verse you suggested to me – It has been such a comfort. “I ye will to do His will” etc. well my heart told me what His will was in this case and now the gentleman at FooChow Mr Newell by name, is rushing about writing all sorts of letters and among them me and Dr. Gideon Smith . Another one came to me recently advising that I get some of my …

… college professors etc. to write as letters of recommendations for me, you’ve done this for me before Dr Strong now will you do it again? Of course this doesn’t mean that we are taking things entirely into our own hands, it is only to get the “red tape” over and then whatever the Carleton Mission, my own people etc, think best I will do. My own people are willing that I should go to FooChow some time but haven’t had an opportunity yet to say if they are willing, I should go as soon as Mr Newell wishes me to. The people here, Miss Miner included, think it wise to go soon for if that is to be my life work, it is well to get the language soon and get started. 

I think you know how I feel about my work here. I have enjoyed it so much. It has been a blessing to me in many ways for it led me to decide to to spend my life in China. But I feel that it is not permanent. I want to get the language so I can get close to other people and since it is to be at FooChow I am to work then I want to get that language soon. 

I don’t know where Miss Evans is. I should like to have her write a letter for me also. Would it be asking too much to ask you to send this same letter on to her wherever she is?

How I thought of you all at this commencement and dear old Carleton.

I shall hope to come home in five …

… years and see you all. 

I never, never can thank you all enough for what you have done for me and I hope my life may be one that will daily express my gratitude to God for all His broughts. 

Lovingly

Mary Reynolds

Peking, China 

July 21 – 1905.