Eric Liddell’s ‘Chemistry Book’
Eric Liddell is well known as an international athlete and missionary in China. Less well known is his knowledge of science and, in particular, chemistry.
His first degree in Edinburgh University specialised in Inorganic Chemistry, which he taught for years in the Christian College, Tientsin, before his internment in Weihsien concentration camp.
This book was written in 1943 in the camp from memory and includes diagrams for experiments that the students might carry out. In the camp the students had to use their imagination about the progress of any experiment and to describe the imaginary precipitation and colour of the product. This would have been inspirational and satisfying, and an excellent teaching method for these difficult conditions Many children were taught by Eric in the camp and some of them were able to leave after liberation to pursue a life of science.
The book is written in meticulous hand writing and the diagrams drawn with great attention to detail. The entire project shines with the love that Eric had for the science itself, love of the children and as a foundation for everything a love of and submission to God.
Four young people were among the many internees profoundly influenced by Eric Liddell, in the Civilian Assembly Center at Weihsien, Shantung, China, from 1943 until 1945. The youngest was a teenager, Joyce Stranks, his student to whom he gave this book. It was she who cradled his head in her arms in February of 1945 as he was “promoted to glory,” in the parlance of her Salvation Army upbringing. Joyce married Marcy Ditmanson after liberation and Joe and Jeannie Cotterill were married in the camp. These four lives bore the fruits of Eric’s mentoring over the next eight decades. All four committed their lives to their faith and life’s work; Joe Cotterill served as chief of the science section of the Home Office before being consecrated as a clergyman in the Church of England, while Jeannie was a teacher and published widely on subjects of Christian education. Marcy and Joyce Ditmanson became medical missionaries to Taiwan and together founded a hospital which is thriving to this day.
Joyce was a writer and teacher, and often referenced Eric’s “Chemistry Book” in speeches, stories, and interviews. After they were widowed both Joe and Joyce continued to keep Eric’s legacy of faith, science, athletics and service alive until called home themselves, three quarters of a century after Eric.
John
Kusel, Cumbernauld