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Arthur and Mabel Billing papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ax 652

Scope and Contents note

Collection comprises papers of Arthur William and Mabel Spohr Billing, Methodist missionaries to China, connected with the Union High School at Foochow (Fuzhou), Fukien (Fujian) Province, and includes correspondence, Mabel Billing's diary (1939-1943), mission newsletters, minutes and other official records of the Foochow Conference of the Methodist Church, Foochow (Fuzhou) newspapers, Foochow Union High School pamphlets and photograph album, and a thesis by Portia Billings Foster on the high school.

Dates

  • 1910-1960

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Conditions Governing Use note

Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Biographical/Historical note

Arthur and Mabel Billing were longtime Methodist missionaries to China who were connected with the Union High School at Foochow, Fukien Province.

The correspondence in the collection is representative of their last years in China and letters written in retirement. Correspondents include fellow missionaries, former student and the Mission Board of the Methodist Church.

Outspokenly against United States involvement in Aisa, the Billings waged a correspondence campaign with the U.S. government regarding Indochina, beginning as early as 1954 to criticize Eisenhower policies, i.e., the rise of the domino theory. They were also critical of defense spending and nuclear development and testing.

Their dislike for Chiang Kai Shek and his "warlords," whom they accused of amassing wealth amid galloping inflation, led them to regard the change of government on mainland China as desirable and worthwhile for the people. Fellow missioner Congressman Walter Judd, now identified with the AMA and China lobbies, was the recipient of a denouncement of U.S. policy in Asia. His answer is not included.

After returning to the United States, the Billings were instrumental in bringing several former students to the U.S. for university education, in some cases giving financial assistance from their pensions.

Arthur and Mabel Billing are now deceased.

Extent

1 linear feet (2 containers) : 2 manuscript boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection comprises papers of Arthur William and Mabel Spohr Billing, Methodist missionaries to China, connected with the Union High School at Foochow (Fuzhou), Fukien (Fujian) Province, and includes correspondence, Mabel Billing's diary (1939-1943), mission newsletters, minutes and other official records of the Foochow Conference of the Methodist Church, Foochow (Fuzhou) newspapers, Foochow Union High School pamphlets and photograph album, and a thesis by Portia Billings Foster on the high school.

Existence and Location of Copies

Collection is available online in the Papers of American Missionaries to Asia: Missionaries associated with Fujian and Taiwan, 1889-1976 in Gale Primary Resources.

Processing Information

Collection processed by staff.

This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.

Title
Guide to the Arthur and Mabel Billing Papers
Status
Complete Description
Author
Finding aid prepared by processing staff
Date
2007
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1299 USA