The American Missionary

In Short

The American Missionary is a periodical published by the American Missionary Association (AMA) in November 1889, documenting its efforts to spread Christianity and education among marginalized communities in the United States. The publication highlights the AMA's work in the South, among Native Americans, and within Chinese immigrant communities, focusing on establishing schools, churches, and missionary outposts. It emphasizes the role of women in these missions and the financial support from various donors. The periodical serves as both a record of the AMA's activities and a call for continued support and prayer for its mission.

The Story

The American Missionary Association, guided by the principle of preaching the gospel to every creature, embarked on a mission to educate and evangelize marginalized communities across the United States. Through its periodical, The American Missionary, the AMA documented its multifaceted efforts. In the South, the association established schools like Fisk University, Talladega College, and Tougaloo University, which provided education and vocational training to African Americans. These institutions not only educated students but also trained preachers and teachers, fostering leadership within the community.

The AMA's work among Native Americans was equally significant, with a focus on rectifying historical wrongs and providing a full chance for them to learn about Christianity. The association established schools and churches, aiming to evangelize and educate Native Americans while addressing the injustices they had faced. Despite the challenges, the AMA remained committed to this work, believing it was both a moral obligation and a divine calling.

Among Chinese immigrants, the AMA operated missions that provided education and led some to Christianity. The association's efforts were supported by a network of donors, including individuals, churches, and estates, whose contributions were meticulously recorded in the publication. The AMA also highlighted the role of women in its missions, emphasizing their involvement in teaching, home economics, and nursing, as well as the establishment of women's missionary unions.

Throughout the periodical, the AMA appealed for continued financial support, emphasizing the vast needs and opportunities in its mission fields. The publication concluded with a call for increased prayer, consecration, and self-denial, underscoring the association's reliance on both divine and human support to fulfill its mission.

How It Unfolds

Introduction to the AMA's Mission: The periodical begins by outlining the American Missionary Association's purpose, rooted in the command to preach the gospel to every creature, emphasizing its work among African Americans, Native Americans, and Chinese immigrants.

Educational Work in the South: Detailed reports on schools established in the South, including Fisk University, Talladega College, and Tougaloo University, highlight their impact on education and ministry.

Church Work in the South: The AMA's efforts to establish churches that promote intelligent worship and new ideas are discussed, along with statistics on church membership and missionary work.

Mountain Work: The association's mission work in mountainous regions is described, focusing on the needs and opportunities in these areas.

Native American Missions: The AMA's efforts among Native Americans are detailed, including the establishment of schools and churches, with a focus on rectifying historical wrongs and providing a full chance for them to learn about Christianity.

Chinese Missions: The periodical reports on missions among Chinese immigrants, noting the number of schools, workers, and converts, and emphasizing the potential for further growth.

Woman's Work: The role of women in the AMA's missions is highlighted, including their involvement in teaching, home economics, and nursing, as well as the establishment of women's missionary unions.

Financial Reports: Detailed accounts of donations, estates, and other financial contributions are provided, showing the broad support for the AMA's work.

Appeal for Support: The periodical concludes with an appeal for increased financial and prayerful support, emphasizing the vast needs and opportunities in the mission fields.

The People

Missionaries and Educators: Figures like Prof. Edward S. Hall, Rev. Larmon B. Lane, and Miss D.E. Emerson are central to the AMA's work. Hall, a field superintendent, was skilled in school management and building repair before his untimely death. Lane, a missionary physician, served in Siam before returning to the U.S. to preach and practice medicine. Emerson, secretary of the Woman's Bureau, played a key role in organizing and supporting women's missionary efforts.

Beneficiaries: The African American, Native American, and Chinese immigrant communities are the primary beneficiaries of the AMA's work. Students at schools like Fisk University and Tougaloo University, church members in the South, and pupils in Chinese missions represent the impact of the AMA's efforts.

Supporters: Donors, including individuals, churches, and estates, are vital to the AMA's mission. Figures like Col. Franklin Fairbanks and Mrs. T.M. Howard are noted for their significant contributions, which enabled the AMA to expand its work.

In Its Own Voice

The American Missionary Association finds its commission in the words of the Master, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." — The American Missionary, General Survey

We have in our Indian work eighteen schools and six churches, one new church having been added this year. In these, 68 missionaries have been doing noble service for the Indian and for the country. — The American Missionary, The Indians

The people for whom we labor cannot be saved either for this world or the next, unless the women who make the homes are lifted out of coarseness and vice, and taught true womanhood and womanly duties and arts. — The American Missionary, Woman's Work

What It's Really About

At its core, The American Missionary is about the intersection of faith, education, and social justice in the late 19th-century United States. The periodical reflects the AMA's belief in the transformative power of the gospel and education to uplift marginalized communities. It grapples with the legacy of historical injustices, particularly against Native Americans and African Americans, and seeks to rectify these wrongs through missionary work. The publication also highlights the role of women in both domestic and missionary spheres, emphasizing their importance in building and sustaining communities. Ultimately, it is a call to action, urging readers to support the AMA's efforts through prayer, financial contributions, and personal dedication.

Why Read It Today

The American Missionary offers a detailed glimpse into the religious and social landscape of post-Civil War America, particularly the efforts to educate and evangelize marginalized communities. Readers interested in the history of education, missionary work, and race relations in the United States will find it a valuable resource. The periodical's emphasis on the role of women in missionary and domestic work provides insights into gender dynamics of the time. While some may find the length and detailed financial reports challenging, the publication's historical significance and its portrayal of grassroots efforts to address social inequalities make it a rewarding read. It serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of missionary work and the enduring impact of such efforts on American society.