The American Missionary — Volume 50, No. 05, May, 1896

This volume opens with a detailed roll‑call of the American Missionary Association’s leadership, listing presidents, vice‑presidents, secretaries, treasurers and district representatives from across the United States. The formal tone of the opening pages reflects the organization’s structured approach to its work, offering clear instructions for correspondence, donations, subscriptions, and even bequests. Readers get a sense of the era’s administrative rigor and the broad network of clergy and laypeople dedicated to the cause.

The centerpiece of the issue is an earnest appeal for a “Jubilee Year Fund,” seeking $100,000 in $50 shares to support the Association’s ongoing missions while urging contributors not to cut back regular support. The text includes a pledge form, practical guidance on payment, and a heartfelt reminder of the financial pressures facing missionary work in a sluggish economy. It offers a vivid glimpse into late‑19th‑century charitable fundraising and the communal spirit that drove humanitarian outreach.