The American Missionary — Volume 39, No. 10, October, 1885

A vivid portrait of a bustling year in a national reform network, this issue captures the spirit of the Association’s thirty‑ninth annual gathering in Madison, Wisconsin. Readers hear about the opening sermon, the planned communion, and the anticipated addresses by George W. Cable and General Joshua L. Chamberlain, while practical details on lodging, travel discounts, and community hospitality bring the event to life.

Beyond the meeting, the publication lays bare the organization’s financial pulse, listing donations, legacies, and a stark call for a thousand‑dollar‑a‑day fund to keep its ambitious programs afloat. The editors balance modest gains with honest warnings about looming debt, urging listeners to consider both generous giving and the impact of inaction.

Interwoven throughout are updates from district secretaries, the women’s work bureau, and the Indian missions, offering a window into the diverse ministries that defined the Association’s outreach in the post‑war era.