To us there is the choice between a _debt_ and _retrenchment_; with our patrons, whose servants we are, is the opportunity of relief. We dare not make a debt; we are held to this by our pledge to our friends, and by our past bitter experience. Retrenchment is a distressing alternative. It will check the progress along the whole line of our work. The increased receipts of the past two years have given to the colored people a new impulse of hope and activity. New buildings have been erected, schools have been enlarged, new churches formed, and the spirit of self-help has been awakened in an unwonted degree in the schools and the churches. Retrenchment will check all this. Years may be required to regain it. Importunate calls for the continuance of the extended work crowd upon us, and denial must create discouragement, and this will be intensified by the disasters of the late floods. To a struggling people, such a drawback is an incalculable evil. In their behalf we appeal‒yes, earnestly and importunately we appeal‒to our friends to come forward to their aid promptly and generously. * * * * * We give place in this number of the MISSIONARY to communications relating to a week’s work among the workers, which we believe will be of special interest to our readers. * * * * * Rev. A. E. Winship, of Somerville, Mass., who was the author of the first concert exercise in behalf of the American Missionary Association, has just prepared a second exercise on the same subject. The exercise can be had gratuitously, with Jubilee Songs to accompany it, on application to Rev. C. L. Woodworth, 21 Congregational House, Boston, Mass. We can assure Sunday-schools and churches that the exercise is one of the best, and that its use can hardly fail to awaken new interest in the concert. * * * * * On another page will be found a very interesting letter from Mr. Ladd, giving an account of a rebellion among the tribes in the vicinity of Khartoum that threatens to hinder his progress. A letter of more recent date says that he and Dr. Snow have relinquished the hope of reaching Fatiko at present, but that they have made arrangements with the Government for passage on one of its smaller steamers that will enable them to visit the region of the Sobat. Our explorers manifest both caution and courage, and we commend them to the prayers of God’s people. * * * * *