The fairest in the city....

Sorting through some of the Eric Liddell archive I came across this fine Chinese painting and a contemporary note written by a friend of Liddell.

Here is the note:

A party of Chinese were executed by Japanese, but one did not have his head quite severed, and was found to be alive by a passer-by. Transport of some kind was obtained which was very primitive, so the journey for the injured man must have been a nightmare. It was also very dangerous for all concerned as it would have been fatal for all if a Japanese patrol had been met.

I think it was quite a long journey taking some days (or nights as they probably travelled mostly then). Much to everyone's surprise the man recovered in Tientsin hospital, and while there he became a Christian.
He had no friends, and so he was allowed to stay on and do jobs about the hospital.

He could not do enough to try to repay them for all they had done. He was an artist but there did not seem to be much he could do with his talent. Eric Liddell was coming home on leave, and the Chinese painted him this picture. Back in the UK copies were made and sold for the benefit of the hospital.

The peony was the national flower of China. The characters read "She (the peony) is the fairest in the City (meaning China). Her modesty and manner come from God."