The American Missionary — Volume 41, No. 1, January, 1887

Step into the world of 1887 with this vivid snapshot of a pioneering religious organization. The opening pages lay out the leadership roster of the American Missionary Association, a network of clergy and laypeople dedicated to education, relief, and moral reform across the North and South. Their New Year’s greeting brims with gratitude for recent successes, while a heartfelt appeal urges readers to support ambitious fundraising goals that will expand schools, hospitals, and outreach in newly‑opened fields.

Beyond the administrative details, the publication captures the era’s optimism and sense of duty. It invites listeners to hear the earnest resolutions of a community determined to “banish small print” and make their message clearer, reflecting a broader push for transparency and accessibility. As the first issue of the year, it offers a compelling glimpse into the hopes, challenges, and collective spirit that drove post‑Civil‑War missionary work in America.