The American Missionary — Volume 42, No. 11, November, 1888

In this vivid snapshot of an 1888 missionary report, the editors confront a modest financial shortfall that turns last year’s cheerful “FREE” balance into a sobering “NOT QUITE FREE.” The narrative opens with a frank accounting of debts and a heartfelt appeal for support, underscoring how the organization’s growing responsibilities have outpaced its income. Readers are drawn into the earnest tone of the appeal, feeling the urgency and optimism that drive the association’s mission.

The bulk of the piece comes alive through a collection of donor letters, each revealing personal sacrifice and steadfast faith. From an 82‑year‑old woman offering her “widow’s mite” to a family contributing modest cash, fodder, and potatoes, the voices illustrate a tapestry of generosity across ages and means. These intimate testimonies convey the deep communal bond that sustains the work, inviting listeners to share in the hope and resolve that define this historic moment.