"The American Missionary — Volume 41, No. 4, April, 1887" by Various is a historical publication written in the late 19th century. This volume serves as a monthly magazine focusing on the educational and missionary work conducted by the American Missionary Association, addressing various social issues of its time, especially concerning the African American community, Native Americans, and the Chinese. The text likely explores themes of social justice, racial equality, and missionary efforts in the context of the socio-political landscape of America during the 1880s. At the start of this volume, readers are introduced to a pressing concern about the financial health of the American Missionary Association, which reports a significant drop in contributions compared to the previous year, jeopardizing its operations. The editorial highlights the urgent need for increased support and donations to maintain and expand the Association's charitable work. Various articles follow, addressing issues such as the treatment of Chinese residents based on a recent Supreme Court decision, the progress made by the Negro community, and reflections on the life and contributions of the abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher. It sets a tone of dedication towards uplifting marginalized groups through education, social advocacy, and religious work, establishing an ongoing dialogue about race relations and humanitarian efforts in the U.S. (This is an automatically generated summary.)